Our Services
Business Set Up
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of the 7 emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah, Ajman, Fujairah, and Umm al-Quwain. In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the economy of the UAE is the most diversified. A country that was once reliant on the export of its abundant oil reserves to run its economy now draws merely a minority of its GDP from the same, having taken to business and tourism for its economic progress. So much so, that the UAE is one of the biggest business hubs in the world, with its most populous city Dubai acting as a premier global city and a preferred destination for entrepreneurs, investors and tourists alike. All this has been possible as a result of the market-friendly economic policies of the UAE government over the last 3 decades, fostering foreign investment, sustainable development, innovation, and research.
Why Set Up Your Business in UAE?
UAE is a developed economy that offers a favorable business environment, world-class infrastructure, nifty amenities, flexible government norms, and efficient quality services to all incoming businesses, irrespective of their country of origin. Business setup in UAE is a futuristic and insightful business decision for the following reasons:
- The UAE is a growing and diversified market with high global demand for imports and exports, and vast opportunities for suppliers
- The country bears a strategic geographic location in a resource-rich region
- The UAE has easy access and global connectivity with over 90 airlines and 170 shipping lines
- Above all, the commerce in the UAE is based on free trade barriers (no quotas or exchange controls)
- The country levies no tax on personal, capital or corporate income, and allows 100% repatriation of capital and profits
- The real estate and freight charges are competitive
- There are no currency restrictions on the exchange of money
- The energy supply is abundant and low-priced
- The populace in the country is educated and skilled, so the place is favorable from the standpoint of hiring workforce – not that there are any restrictions on hiring foreign nationals
- The transportation system throughout the UAE is well developed
- The infrastructural advancement in the UAE is no secret – its plush real estate, state-of-the-art telecommunication systems, and dependable power supply & other utilities are a fertile breeding ground for business entities
- There is top-notch accommodation for residential and office purposes, with cutting-edge venues for exhibitions and conferences
- The financial and services sector in the UAE is remarkably developed, especially suited to complement the business milieu in the region
- The nation has a cosmopolitan lifestyle with first-rate educational institutions, medical facilities, hotels, and shopping complexes
IF YOU HAVE MADE THE BIG DECISION OF SETTING UP A COMPANY IN THE UAE BUT WONDERING HOW TO START / REGISTER? WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE? WHERE TO START? YOU CAN RELY ON FIRST STEP CORPORATE SERVICES, A ONE-STOP DESTINATION FOR ALL YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS. Our process is both straightforward and transparent. We’ll guide you through every step of the way.
PRO Services
- Corporate
- Domestic
Accounting and auditing services
- External audit-including complicated consolidations
- Internal audit
- Health check of vat returns
- Due diligence-buyer and seller
- Business acquisition services
- Accounting manual
- Compliance audit –Difc,UAE central bank
- Designing organization structure
- Job description
- Outsources accounting services
Market research and feasibility studies
Whether you are looking to grow your business, launch new products or find out about new and emerging markets, our market research and custom consultancy services can provide you with in-depth analysis tools to make better informed strategic business decisions.
When you decide to partner with a market research agency in the UAE, you need to ensure that you get the most accurate information for the toughest questions at the best value for money. At First Step group, our experienced business consultants will work closely with you to tailor a solution that best fits your needs, at minimum risk, and within your budget.
Our solution helps you to:
- Map the value chain Benchmark against competitors
- Provide assistance and support with strategic business alignment
- Understand the real effects of key market drivers upon your business
- Forecast developments in your industry Understand the impact of technology
- Employ a detailed breakdown of market sizes to plan future strategy with confidence
- Identify or validate market opportunities for your business using quantitative market forecasts
Feasibility Study
A business feasibility study is a systematic study to understand whether or not a specific project, venture, or approach is feasible. With our breadth of knowledge, we can help you assess the market for your business idea by estimating the financial feasibility of your business, including potential sales revenue, fixed and variable costs, and break-even figures as well as identifying the pitfalls you may encounter- and study how you can avoid them.
Return on investment and payback period needs to be analyzed before investment in the projects. Our strategy consultants have in-depth experience in conducting feasibility studies and market research across a wide range of sectors. With a deep knowledge of the profitability of any kind of business, whether its personal investments or applying for funds, we help you determine the viability of your project and collate the details youneed to secure funding.
Corporate governance advisory
- All aspects of structuring, negotiating and documenting transactions.
- International Banking Practices and advise
- Advice on local Banking Laws and Transactions
- Local banking regulations and supervision within the Gulf region
- The underwriting and syndication of loans – assistance,
- Debt recovery, Foreign exchange contracts,
- ISDA and other derivative transactions
- Advise on setting up of funds and other collective investment vehicles,
- Advise on Finance leasing arrangements
- Advice and assistance in secured commercial lending, trade
- Advice on Project specific and corporate financing arrangements
- Advice and assistance on equity and loan finance and the taking, enforcement and realization of security interests.
Corporate IP Management advisory
Advisory on the processing of IP rights through authorized agencies worldwide for Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights, Designs & Logo registrations, Infringement suits
- Technology Transfer Contracts
- Software development & certification
- R & D Agreements
- Collaboration agreements
- Licensing Agreements
- Patent assignment agreements
- Franchise, Agency, Distribution, vending, supporting agreements
- Sale of Technology, Royalty Agreements
Merger and Acquisition Management advisory
Corporate Governance, Drafting, Change Management, Business Process reengineering, Risk assurance by providing you with complete corporate management and advisory solutions to cross over every hurdle that you may come across in your business circle relating to Mergers & Acquisitions, corporate management, Investment fund management, disbursals in addition to regulatory compliance structuring and project management perspectives
- Review of Sale and Purchase Agreement and Share Holders Agreement including provisions of key legal issues, Agreement heads, applicability, viability and addressing all necessary components and comment on key legal issues, processes, applicability, provisions and adoption
- Provision of vetting, amendment, modification and suggestive recommendations of rephrasing SPA and ancillary documents in the transaction
- Co-ordination and correspondence with Buyer Counsel for finalization of documentation and processes
- Communication with Seller Counsels for final legal terminologies that are necessary as per applicable UAE laws in relation to enforcement
- Advice on application and process of ownership transfers, incorporation of equity injection policies and legal documentation on equity investment,
- Finalization of shareholders agreement, Adoption of new Board of directors’ documentations,
- Document Notarization, legalization registration process assistance for incorporating the sale and purchase strategy and implementations.
- Review the legal structure of the investing entity and alert sellers of pitfalls, if any. Review legal documents of the investing entity and the entity in which equity shall be allotted to the sellers as proposed under the transaction.
Affiliate Services
Affiliate marketing is a referral program which provides commissions to those who successfully refer services or products to a potential client or leads to your website to convert them as your customer. It is one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to drive online revenue.It is a cost effective combination of marketing techniques with technology for your business success, our organization provide services for Affiliate Marketing Dubai -UAE
What FIRST STEP do
To reach you towards your business goals we select the right affiliate networks for your business.
- We create marketing content for affiliates – images, banners & catalogs.
- We give you monthly, weekly & ad hoc affiliate reports.
- Set up the affiliate program on the chosen networks.
- Set up data feeds for affiliates.
- Promote your affiliate marketing program.
- We analyze your affiliate’s performance and communicate with them to boost your conversions.
- Periodic reports on the performance of the affiliate marketing channel.
ISO Certification
ISO Certification enables the companies to maintain excellent procedures in order to meet customer needs at the global level in terms of Quality and Standards. Customers are increasingly becoming quality-conscious shoppers. They want to know upfront that your business will meet their needs.
Our team of professionals will work side by side with your company to train, document, and facilitate all the requirements to be an ISO Certified organization. Our accredited ISO 9001 certificates all come with the Government-backed certification and internationally recognized accreditation institutions.
The benefits of getting ISO 9001 Certification in Dubai:
- Customer Gain and Business
- Better Management Reviews
- Quality Management Process
- Advantage of over Competitors
- Customer Satisfaction and Customer Communication
- Supplier Performance and Greater Turnover
- Increase in Productivity and Reduction in Waste
Arranging Trusted Local Sponsor/Local Agent for Companies
The involvement of local sponsorship in the UAE is mandatory to the formation of mainland firms in the UAE as stated by the UAE commercial companies’ law and UAE civil law. Local sponsors or Nominee shareholders and local service agents must be a UAE national and will be paid an annual fee for the services they render.
For the establishment of mainland LLC by foreign investors, it is mandatory by the government that the local sponsors/ local partner own a minimum 51% of the company shares. The formations of professional and representative offices, on the other hand, do not require local partners but required local service agent for their establishment in the UAE. They can be 100% owned by foreign shareholders/Investors
The appointed local sponsor in the UAE takes no role in the day-to-day running of the company’s business. They are responsible for liaising with the necessary government department on behalf of their organization in the obtaining of visas, immigration approvals etc…
Finding a local sponsor in the UAE that fits the required qualifications needed might seem quite a daunting task for foreign businessmen. Local sponsorship in the UAE is nevertheless a mandatory requirement for business formation. The local sponsors (Nominee Shareholders) in UAE can have 51% only if the legal form is a limited liability company (LLC), for other legal forms of entities, the local service agent will have 0% shares of the company.
Bank Account Opening Assistance
Our Business Support Services includes in Bank account opening in Dubai. Thus, Elegant Services are allied with major banks in the UAE. We had a great track record to serve our clients. Therefore, we fix a meeting between our client and banker. The banker will explain the requirements of the bank after going through the client profile. We ensure that our clients will get the best experience.
We assist our client to open a bank account in Dubai. So we have maintained a network of local bankers. We set up a meeting of a client with banks of UAE. We assist only clients, Who Setup a company in UAE Mainland with us. Complete banking procedure will be followed as per their guidance. We make sure that each client will get healthy experience from each bank. Even in some cases, we do act as a middle man to follow up with the bank.
Directorship Services
As you expand your business, you may find yourself in need of extra personnel. You may need a professional director to enhance your management team, for example, or perhaps you don’t currently have a director who’s physically located in a jurisdiction where you need someone to perform directorship duties.
We can assign an experienced manager with specific industry knowledge to act as your company’s personal director. They will take care of day-to-day management and ensure your company is compliant with local rules and regulations
The main responsibilities of the director are as follows
- Liaising with government departments
- Arranging local sponsor /local service agents
- Setting up of offices
- Hiring and discharging of staffs
- Bank account open, operation and closure
- Signing of all government departments & documents such as notary public, lease contracts, labor contracts, agency contracts etc…
- Signing of bank cheques and other documents
Corporate Shareholder Services
If you’re a beneficial owner, there are times when you may require enhanced privacy – for example, when conducting a specific transaction where it would be inappropriate or even dangerous to reveal your identity. At FIRST STEP , we can provide corporate or individual shareholders to help protect your privacy, in jurisdictions that deem it an acceptable arrangement. In a typical example, you would nominate a corporate shareholder for the company, who would be charged with representing your interests. That shareholder would then issue a Declaration of Trust in your favor.
Liquidations & Strike Offs
The lifecycle of a company isn’t always necessarily a long one. Unforeseen circumstances may lead to liquidation, and a change in a company’s structure could result in dissolution. The completion of a transaction, or the conclusion of a merger, acquisition or simplification of group corporate structures may also mean entities need to be liquidated. Whatever the reason, you need an experienced team to guide you through the process as efficiently as possible.
At FIRST STEP, we offer a suite of liquidation services. We can act as liquidator, prepare the liquidation and final accounts and coordinate the entire liquidation process – helping ease what can sometimes be a challenging process.
Shelf Companies
Completing the necessary formalities to enter a market in a new region is time-consuming. And without local support and expertise, the process can be frustrating and costly too.
Our shelf companies are carefully structured to facilitate a fast, efficient transfer of ownership and get your business up and running quickly. Investors can avoid unnecessary commitment while an acquisition, start-up or capital investment is under negotiation.
Our solution meets a broad range of needs. It’s of particular value when the timing of market entry is critical, for example with company or real estate acquisitions.
We pioneered shelf company services back in 2005, offering the most commonly used forms of companies including Limited Liability Companies, Limited Partnerships, Limited Joint-Stock Partnerships and Joint-Stock Companies.
Office Arrangements
Expanding your business can be expensive and time-consuming. Even something as fundamental as finding office space can be a challenge. We’ll support you by providing you with a local presence in the simplest, most convenient way possible.
This service can be invaluable if you don’t have a physical location in a jurisdiction where you already operate, or if you’re establishing a presence in a new country and seeking to reduce costs.
We deliver a personal service that goes beyond office space itself, including the provision of the facilities you need to manage, maintain and operate business – including the set up and handling of dedicated phone, fax and email, and the storage of documents.
- PHYSICAL OFFICE SPACE
- FLEXI OFFICES / SHARED OFFICES
- VIRTUAL OFFICES / SUSTAINABLE CONTRACTS
Mainland Company Formations
A mainland company is an onshore company licensed by the Department of Economic Development (DED) of the related emirate which is allowed to do business in the local market as well as outside UAE without any restriction.
It can freely do business in the local market, any free zone or outside UAE.
It applies to all commercial or professional licenses.
Presence of a UAE National is mandatory in all mainland LLC licenses either as a Local Partner 51% shares are held by a UAE National and 49% shares go to the expat Partner. In professional license: 100% shares are held by expat partner and one UAE National is appointed as a Local Service Agent.
WE ESTABLISH MAINLAND COMPANIES IN DUBAI, ABU DHABI, SHARJAH, AJMAN, RAS AL KHAIMAH, UMM AL QUWAIN, AND FUJAIRAH.
TYPES OF LICENSES
- PROFESSIONAL
- COMMERCIAL
- INDUSTRIAL
TYPES OF COMPANIES
- LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY- LLC
- SOLE ESTABLISHMENT
- CIVIL COMPANY
- ONE PERSON LLC
- BRANCH OF FOREIGN COMPANIES
- REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE OF FOREIGN COMPANIES
- BRANCH OF LOCAL (UAE) COMPANIES
- LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP – LLP
Free Zone Company
Free Zones (also known as free trade zones) are designed for boosting international business through providing 100% ownership to expatriates and single window administration convenience. As compared with Mainland, Free Zone license is 100% owned by the expat partner. There is no need for UAE National partner/service agent in the license.
We establish companies in various freezones across the UAE such as
- DAFZA
- JAFZA
- DWC
- DMCC
- COMMERCITY(DCC)
- SILICON OASIS
- WORLD TARDE CENTER
- RAKEZ
- IFZA
- AFZA
- AJAMAN MEDIA CITY FREEZONE HAMRIYA FREEZONE
- SAIFZONE
- MEYDAN FREEZONE
- DUBAI MEDIA CITY FREEZONE
- DIFC
- D3
- UAQ TRADE FREEZONE
Offshore Company
Offshore is mainly based on executing, managing and operating in foreign countries with benefits in financial, legal and tax. We helps with offshore company formation in UAE. So the offshore company formation is the process in which the company operated or managed outside of the country in which it is registered or outside of the country in which owners and shareholders have residence.
100% Foreign Ownership: The International Companies Regulations requires no local shareholding in an offshore company as opposed to the companies incorporated in mainland of UAE, which requires mandatory local shareholding. Therefore foreign investors either individual or corporate entities may own 100% share equity.
An Offshore Company formation in UAE can be used for international trading, asset protection, tax planning, acquiring real estate properties in the designated areas of UAE, holding, becoming partners and acquiring shares of the other companies, trust funds etc. Capital requirement is only symbolic. Identity of beneficial owners will be kept confidential by law unless there is suspicion of criminal activity. An Offshore Company may open an account in the UAE bank/s and operate such accounts. The offshore company shall also have the option of choosing the governing law, either the UAE Law or the law of the applicant country.
WE OFFER OFFSHORE COMPANIES IN JAFZA, RAK ICC, AJMAN, BVI, PANAMA, SINGAPORE SEYCHELLES ETC..
Liquidations & Strike Offs
The lifecycle of a company isn’t always necessarily a long one. Unforeseen circumstances may lead to liquidation, and a change in a company’s structure could result in dissolution. The completion of a transaction or the conclusion of a merger, acquisition, or simplification of group corporate structures may also mean entities need to be liquidated.
Whatever the reason, you need an experienced team to guide you through the process as efficiently as possible. At FIRST STEP, we offer a suite of liquidation services. We can act as liquidators prepare the liquidation and final accounts and coordinate the entire liquidation process – helping ease what can sometimes be a challenging process.
Shelf Companies
Completing the necessary formalities to enter a market in a new region is time-consuming. And without local support and expertise, the process can be frustrating and costly too.
Our shelf companies are carefully structured to facilitate a fast, efficient transfer of ownership and get your business up and running quickly. Investors can avoid unnecessary commitment while an acquisition, start-up, or capital investment is under negotiation.
Our solution meets a broad range of needs. It’s of particular value when the timing of market entry is critical, for example with company or real estate acquisitions.
We pioneered shelf company services back in 2005, offering the most commonly used forms of companies including Limited Liability Companies, Limited Partnerships, Limited Joint-Stock Partnerships, and Joint-Stock Companies.
Business Valuation
If you are looking to buy, sell, or transfer shares in a business in the UAE or elsewhere, it is important to ascertain the right transaction value which is fair and acceptable to all parties. Our business valuation team helps companies and investors in Dubai and other emirates in the UAE in determining the enterprise value and supporting them through the transaction.
Company valuation also plays a major role at the time of business restructuring in the form of mergers, acquisitions, and takeovers. The buyers would like to quote a lesser value whereas the seller will always quote a higher value of the Company in order to gain the maximum from the deal. Moreover, the claimed Company’s value forms a basis of negotiation between the two parties.
Knowing the value also becomes important at the time of bankruptcy, liquidation, raising funds, or while formulating Company exit strategies. As Company valuation advisors, FIRST STEP provides you with all the assistance that you need to calculate the intrinsic value of your business, using various financial methods, such as net asset value and discounted cash flows method. However, the calculated figure is subjective because it is based on certain subjective assumptions. We support our assumptions with the given industry data and conclusions from extensive market research. In case of conflicting views, we stand by our clients to justify our basis of valuation. Moreover, our team of analysts has the required experience of estimating the value of companies spread across different industries.
Trademark / Logo registration
A trademark is a brand name, logo, or sign that companies use to classify their lawfully licensed or established products or services. It may be a name, a word, sign, text, figure, painting, emblem, title, tax stamp, seal, illustration, inscription, advertising, or some other combination expected to be used
The Benefits of Registering a Trademark in the United Arab Emirates
- Protect the product’s and brand ‘s identity.
- Helps consumers to immediately find the brand or product, without having to look it up again.
- Helps insure the offered good or service are of original quality.
- Others that trade in the same, but faulty goods/services are covered by registering.
Documents required for Trademark Registration in UAE:
- Application form
- Sample of trademark design (brand name)
- Confirmation of official fee payment
- Trading license
- Power of attorney
- List of goods and services to be protected
- ID or passport of person who will sign application
- Contact details of the applicant
Attestation
Our clients can choose from a variety of attestation services, including Certificate, MOFA, Mark Sheets, and Affidavits. We are the best in our sector because of the excellent level of service we have. Our goal is to provide our valued clients with hassle-free paper attestation services while also ensuring that they have a good experience with us.
We have a proven track record in attesting documents of all types. With the assistance of our expert team, you can rest assured that your document attestation is done with high-level of professionalism while you settle into a new lifestyle, home or a job in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or anywhere else in the UAE.
Attestation services
- Degree Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Birth Certificate
- Legal Translation
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Apostille
- UAE Embassy
- Good Conduct
- Police Clearance
Amendment
Departments of Economic Development (DED) set terms and conditions, on one hand, align with UAE Commercial Law and, on the other, make it easy for you to make any required adjustments to your current business license. DEDs have made substantial strides to increase their performance in terms of maintaining given licenses. It has been shown that these actions result in a rise in the number of well-run companies in the United Arab Emirates. You should be assured that the company will still be adaptable, and you will be able to make all of the improvements mentioned below without having to quit the old one and start a new company
You can perform the following changes in your business permit:
- Add/remove a partner/shareholder
- Amendment of share capital
- Change the business activity
- Change of legal form (for example, Sole Establishment to LLC or FZC to FZE)
- Change of the trade name
- Change legal/physical address of a company
- Change of the Manager/Licensee holder of the company or Local Service Agent
- Shares or License mortgage
- Merge of the companies
- Permanently or temporarily freezing of the business permit/liquidation of the company
Translation
Legal Translation means the translation and interpretation of a text used in any legal system. Legal translation usually includes documents like witness statement, transcripts, identity documentation, financial records, official reports, filed patents, and legal rulings or precedents.
You’ll need a valid translation that’s been accepted by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and all other government departments, as well as Embassies and Consulates. We will provide you with a translation that meets the criteria mentioned above. We will provide you with timely and outstanding support. Highly trained proof-readers can assess and proofread the translation. You will be appointed an employee who will work closely with you. Our translators are experts who are familiar with the nuances, laws, regulations, and standards of each jurisdiction, establishment, and organization to which you must apply your translation. Through us, you’re in strong hands. We will supply you with a legitimate translation that is very much appropriate in Dubai and other Emirates. Our professionals dealing with legal translation are sworn to confidentiality when required.