Everything you might be asking
Organised by topic. If your question is missing, message us on WhatsApp — we answer same-day.
Company formation
How long does the whole company registration process take? +
For a free zone company — typically 5–10 business days from receiving documents. For a mainland company — 10–15 business days. We share a written timeline in our proposal.
Do I need to be in the UAE during the process? +
For most free zones — no. For mainland and certain banks — yes for 1–2 visits. We tell you upfront which option allows full remote setup.
What is the difference between mainland and free zone? +
Mainland allows direct UAE trade and government contracts. Free zone offers 100% ownership, 0% tax on qualifying income, and faster setup — but limits UAE mainland sales to a local distributor. See our detailed comparison article.
Can I change activities after the license is issued? +
Yes — we file the amendment, usually within 5 business days. Fee from AED 1,500 depending on free zone.
Do I get a guaranteed bank account? +
We pre-screen and introduce. Banks make the final decision — we maintain 92% first-time approval thanks to our pre-vet. If a bank declines, we re-route to another at no extra cost.
Visas & residency
How many visas can I get with my license? +
Free zone — typically 2–6 in the base package. Mainland — depends on office size, usually 5–7 with a 30 sqm space. We confirm exact quota in the proposal.
Can I bring my family on the investor visa? +
Yes — once your visa is stamped, we sponsor spouse and children. Minimum salary on contract: AED 4,000.
What is the difference between regular residence and Golden Visa? +
Regular residence is 2–3 years, tied to your company, cancels if you stay outside UAE >6 months. Golden Visa is 10 years, no employer tie, family included, allows longer absences.
I am on a tourist visa — can I start the setup? +
Yes. We start the license while you are on tourist visa, then do an in-country status change to investor visa.
Banking
Which bank is easiest to open? +
WIO and Mashreq Neo are fastest for clean digital businesses — 1–2 weeks. Emirates NBD and FAB are slower (4–6 weeks) but stronger for traditional traders.
What is the minimum balance? +
AED 25,000 to 500,000 depending on bank and account tier. We pick a tier you can sustain — falling below the minimum incurs monthly fees.
Will banks accept my source-of-funds explanation? +
If documented properly — yes. We prepare a source-of-wealth memo for every shareholder before we approach the bank.
Tax & accounting
When does corporate tax (9%) apply? +
On profits above AED 375,000 per year, for fiscal years starting on or after 1 June 2023. Free zone companies can pay 0% on qualifying income.
Do I need a CFO or just an accountant? +
For most small to mid-sized companies — an external accountant on monthly retainer is enough. We offer this from AED 1,200/month.
How long should I keep records? +
FTA requires 5 years. We store digitally so you do not have to.
Do I file VAT even with zero revenue? +
If you are VAT-registered — yes, a zero-return is mandatory every quarter. Missing a filing costs AED 1,000.
Working with Business Bear
What languages does the team speak? +
English, Arabic, Russian. We can also arrange Mandarin and Hindi support for specific cases.
Do you have an office I can visit? +
Yes — Dubai Silicon Oasis, DSO-IFZA building. Walk-ins welcome on weekdays 9:00–18:00.
How do I pay? +
After we agree on the proposal, we invoice 50% upfront and 50% on license issuance. Bank transfer, card, or crypto accepted.
What if I am not happy with the service? +
You have an assigned partner-level contact for escalations. In practice, this rarely happens — we publish 4.9 average rating on Google.
Have a question not covered above?
WhatsApp or email — typical response time under 60 minutes during working hours.
