
Do’s and don’ts of working in UAE
It is easy to get UAE business visa in United Arab Emirates as the government of UAE has tried to make the procedure easy so that more and more investors and businessmen can come, invest and help flourish the economy of the country. UAE has a very open business and tourism environment which extensively supports businessmen but before you think about starting your business in UAE and get UAE business visa you must know that what should you do and should not do while conducting business in UAE as the traditions, culture and rules are different in the Emirates.
Let’s have a look on Do’s and Don’ts of business in UAE:
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Do get a local UAE national as sponsor:
First of all, it is important to know before getting UAE business visa for conducting any of the business activity in the Emirates that if you want to start business in any location of the country, you need to have a UAE national sponsor on board. When you have a partnership with a national of UAE, you are allowed to conduct your business in any part of the country. Otherwise, you will have to restrict yourself to free trade zones which are specified to few locations.
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Do not only commit verbally:
Before applying for UAE business visa keep one thing in mind that although you may find a good local as sponsor who is all ready to start work with you right away and makes verbal commitments to help you ease the process, but never rely on word of mouth as it does not have any legal value in UAE. You must enter into a legal contract signed by both parties i.e. your company and local sponsor. In the contract all details should be mentioned about share and fee you will pay to sponsor yearly. Some sponsor may charge extra fees for all the services they provide to you and your company. Make sure everything is clearly written in the document so that you can avoid any hassles in future.
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Choose business license carefully before applying for UAE business visa:
Well it is very important to carefully consider which type of license you should pursue for when you are going to apply for UAE business visa. Any business activity which you decide to conduct in UAE falls under three categories:
- Professional
- Commercial
- Industrial
Different authorities in UAE may deal with different type of licensing. For every kind of license, different fee structure and supporting documents are required. So, it is crucial that you choose exactly the same kind of license for the business activities which you will be conducting in UAE as if not followed properly, it can cause problems for you and your business.
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Do a lot of research:
It may sound cliché but it is very crucial that you do a lot of research before applying for UAE business visa for starting your business in the Emirates. There is stiff competition is UAE as the economy is seeing mushrooming growth and macroeconomic environment is always changing. So, it is better to get yourself familiarized with current trends after doing an extensive research. When you do long term planning and enough research for business, it gives an edge over your competition and you can get more profits.
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Networking:
Well, they say that networking is the key for any business to succeed. Dubai and UAE are all about networking and in person communication. Do not think that making few phone calls and sending some emails can get you as many networks as you would get in-person meetings. Word of mouth is popular in UAE and for that you need to attend networking events, conventions and be in touch with work acquaintances. If you network rightly with people in business circle, you will soon build a remarkable client list in UAE which will help you setting and running your business successfully.
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Embrace diversity and honor people’s beliefs:
UAE is very diverse country, so before you even think about applying for UAE business visa, you should know that UAE has more than 7 million people as expats with only 1.4 million locals. The people here respect other’s beliefs and any comments against any religion and sects are not appreciated. You must also refrain from profane language and try to embrace diversity and respect everyone.
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Enjoy life in Dubai:
Well, I do know that setting your business up in UAE is a time taking process and especially when you are going to start a new business in the country and going to apply for UAE business visa; it always takes a toll on mind and body. This is why, it is important that you take some time off to admire beauty and luxury lifestyle of the country. Spend some time learning about local traditions of the country so that when you have to deal with local sponsors, you know what they are expecting from you and how to make this connection stronger.
Moreover, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are such beautiful Emirates of UAE with so many sightseeing, islands, skyscrapers and other fun activities. You should not only be in UAE for business but you must spend some time enjoying the local cuisine, admiring beauty and luxury lifestyle which attracts tourists from all over the globe.
Remember, UAE has a very competitive world out there so immerse yourself in sun, enjoy night breezes, go for city walks and spend nights under desert to wear off all the stress which is brought to you by following complex business and visa processes.
Conclusion:
If you are an entrepreneur and looking to start your business in UAE and going to apply for UAE business visa, you must keep in mind these do’s and don’ts. UAE is an amalgamation of people of different cultures and descents so before starting any business activity, get yourself accustomed to local traditions, values and culture so that you can run your business smoothly in the Emirates.