Business setup in Dubai for Egyptians

Egyptian founders face the same licensing rules as any foreign owner. The practical work is in the sequence: get the entry permit, attest the documents that need it, register, and then fit the medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID into as few trips as possible.

This page walks through that sequence for Egyptian passport holders, with the UAE sources that apply. Prices are typical market ranges for October 2026.

Business setup in Dubai for Egyptians: who can own the company?

Yes. Free zone companies can be fully foreign-owned, and most mainland activities can be too since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law changes. Each extra shareholder typically adds AED 1,000–2,500 to registration costs.

Do Egyptians need a visa to enter the UAE?

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists the Arab Republic of Egypt as "visa required", so an Egyptian passport holder applies for an entry permit before flying. Apply through the official ICP or GDRFA Dubai channels or through a sponsor, and read the current fees and documents there. Any change to the rules will show on those portals first.

Attesting Egyptian documents for the UAE

The UAE rule is that the issuing country's foreign ministry attests first. The UAE Embassy in Cairo then attests through the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: you sign in with a UAE Pass, select Egypt as the country of issuance, pay online, and a provider collects the originals. The embassy describes digital attestation as typically taking two to three business days after that. Laminated documents cannot be attested, and powers of attorney must be signed before a notary in Egypt and then attested by Egypt's foreign ministry.

Ask the licensing authority which documents it needs attested. That depends on the authority and on whether the shareholder is a person or a company.

Planning one trip for the residence visa

The residence visa for a company owner involves several steps in the UAE: entry on the entry permit, a medical fitness test for applicants aged 18 and over, a security check, biometrics and the Emirates ID. DMCC says biometrics for the residence visa and Emirates ID must be completed in person. Registration itself can be done remotely at some authorities, so book your trip once the licence and establishment card are ready.

Keep the 180-day rule in mind. The UAE government portal says a resident who lives outside the UAE continuously for more than 180 days loses the residence visa automatically, with some listed exceptions.

Banking and the UAE–Egypt tax treaty

Banks apply risk-based due diligence to every applicant. Expect questions about the business, the owners and the source of funds, and keep a simple structure with clear documents. The Ministry of Finance list shows a new UAE–Egypt double tax agreement signed in 2019 and in force from April 2021. A treaty does not remove Egyptian obligations; whether they apply depends on your Egyptian tax residency, so take advice from a tax professional in Egypt. This is general information, not tax advice.

Steps to set up a company in the UAE as an Egyptian citizen

1. 1

   Choose the activity and licensing authority

   Decide on free zone or mainland, and how many visas you need.

2. 2

   Apply for the entry permit

   Use the official ICP or GDRFA Dubai channels and check the current requirements.

3. 3

   Attest documents through Egypt's foreign ministry and the UAE Embassy in Cairo

   Only the documents the authority asks for.

4. 4

   Register and receive the licence

   Then the establishment card, which is the immigration file for visas.

5. 5

   Complete the medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID in one trip

   Book the trip once the establishment card is ready.

6. 6

   Open the bank account

   Prepare the business plan and source-of-funds evidence.

Typical documents for an Egyptian shareholder

• Passport copy and passport-size photo
• UAE entry permit copy
• Attested company documents where a company is the shareholder
• Power of attorney signed before a notary in Egypt and attested by Egypt's foreign ministry
• Business plan and source-of-funds evidence for the bank

Things to weigh up

• Do the Egyptian ministry step first. The UAE Embassy cannot attest before it.
• Rules and fees for entry permits change; the official portals are the source of truth.
• Time away from the UAE after you get residence can affect the visa.