Employee share ownership plans in UAE: Explained
Employee share ownership plans in the UAE are structured equity or equity-linked arrangements that give employees a stake in the long-term success of a business, rather than rewarding performance through salary alone. In practice, more UAE companies are turning to ESOPs because hiring and retention have changed. Senior talent, technical specialists, and leadership hires increasingly […]
Dubai Unified Licence: Everything you need to know
The Dubai Unified Licence is a Dubai government framework that gives businesses a single, standard commercial identity across the emirate. It applies to companies licensed on the mainland and in free zones, consolidating their core records under a single reference point. Previously, business data often resided in parallel systems. A company’s details could appear one […]
Certificate of Good Standing in Dubai: 2026 guide
A certificate of good standing in Dubai is obtained by confirming that a company is properly registered, fully compliant with its regulatory obligations, and in good standing with the authority that issued its license before submitting a formal request for certification. The certificate is an official confirmation that a business is operating legally at a […]
How to get a VARA license in Dubai: Step-by-step guide
You can get a VARA license in Dubai by clearly defining what your virtual asset business actually does, selecting the right jurisdiction and setup structure, preparing the required compliance and risk frameworks, submitting an application to VARA, meeting provisional approval conditions, and completing final licensing before launching operations. Dubai’s approach to virtual assets has never […]
The importance of face-to-face marketing in a time of content deluge
There’s no doubt that social plays a huge role in modern marketing. In fact, for many it’s the default growth engine. There’s a seamlessness to it that’s attractive to marketing teams – you can inform, engage and convert all in the same place, often without the user even leaving the page. But there’s a problem. […]
Mainland business ownership transfer in Dubai: 2026 DET guide
A mainland business ownership transfer in Dubai follows a clear but formal sequence: the partners agree to the change, approval is secured from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the Memorandum of Association is updated and notarized, government fees are settled, and a new trade license is issued reflecting the revised ownership. What this […]
What it takes to launch an IPO in the Gulf region
The GCC is all about ambition. Whether it’s the impressive skylines of Dubai and Doha or the global financial hubs of Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, so many parts of this region have become centres for global trade. And in recent years, there has been increased activity in the capital markets, with a major surge of […]
Company setup in the UAE in 2026: What founders should know
Company setup in the UAE in 2026 follows a defined sequence of activity selection, jurisdiction choice, licensing, compliance, visas, and banking – with clearer rules and fewer grey areas than ever before. The UAE continues to rank among the world’s most attractive destinations for entrepreneurs, startups, and international founders, not because the process is effortless, […]
Dubai visa quota: What business owners need to know
The Dubai visa quota refers to the maximum number of residency visas that a company is permitted to issue to its employees and partners. It is essential for business owners planning to hire staff, sponsor partners, or expand their business in the UAE to understand these quotas, as they determine the maximum number of people […]
How to start a crypto business in Dubai: Step-by-step guide
To start a crypto business in Dubai, founders need to define the crypto activity, choose the right jurisdiction, secure initial regulatory clearance, apply for the appropriate crypto or virtual asset license, set up compliant premises and operating controls, open a corporate bank account, and complete visa and operational requirements. In Dubai, the process is structured, […]