Business Setup in the UAE for Irish nationals

Key points

The most common businesses Irish nationals open through GoldenKey are in aviation leasing, construction, education and hospitality, although the UAE for Irish nationals supports almost any activity. Importantly, irish nationals are a lively community of more than 10,000, strong in aviation leasing, construction, education and hospitality, so the the UAE for Irish nationals authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Irish applications every day and process them without hesitation. From day one, irish aircraft lessors and agri-food exporters are major players in the UAE market, which gives Irish entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their the UAE for Irish nationals licence is issued.

Step by step

1. 
   Step 1

   Consultation and activity selection

   We confirm that your activity is available in the UAE for Irish nationals, choose the licence type and agree the visa package and office option that match your plan.

2. 
   Step 2

   Name reservation and initial approval

   GoldenKey reserves your trade name with the the UAE for Irish nationals authority and obtains initial approval, typically within one to two working days. For starting a business in the UAE as an Irish national this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.

3. 
   Step 3

   Document submission and payment

   You sign the application forms and memorandum, we submit the attested documents and the licence fee is paid to the authority.

4. 
   Step 4

   Licence issued and next steps

   the UAE for Irish nationals issues the licence, incorporation certificate and lease; from there we open the establishment card, process visas and arrange your bank introduction. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to starting a business in the UAE as an Irish national.

Documents required

For starting a business in the UAE as an Irish national the authority asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.

• A bank statement from your Ireland bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
• Your current residency visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
• The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
• A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
• Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
• A passport-size photograph on a white background

Pricing

The figures below for starting a business in the UAE as an Irish national are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. All prices for starting a business in the UAE as an Irish national are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay.

Pricing available on request — message us for a written quotation.

Where Irish nationals usually register

The most common choices for Irish founders are Ajman Free Zone for budget-conscious trading and services, IFZA or Meydan for a Dubai address, and Dubai or Sharjah mainland for retail, restaurants and contracting. Popular sectors among Irish nationals include aviation leasing, construction, education and hospitality.

Documents from Ireland

Put simply, you will need a valid passport, photographs and, for professional activities, educational certificates attested in Ireland, at the UAE embassy there and at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. GoldenKey explains the attestation route for Ireland paperwork before you start.

Visas for you and your family

Your company sponsors your investor residence visa, after which you can sponsor your spouse and children. Golden Visa routes are available to Irish investors, entrepreneurs and professionals who meet the criteria.

Banking for Irish founders

UAE banks are familiar with Irish business profiles. A clear activity, a resident signatory and clean statements from your Ireland bank make the application smoother. GoldenKey prepares the file and introduces a suitable bank.

Tax

Yes. The UAE and Ireland have a double taxation agreement, and a UAE tax residency certificate lets you claim treaty relief on qualifying income. GoldenKey can obtain the certificate once your company is established. UAE corporate tax applies at 9% above AED 375,000 with a 0% rate for qualifying free zone income, and there is no personal income tax.

Compare jurisdictions for Irish nationals

Ajman Free ZoneOne of the UAE's most affordable free zones — 0-visa packa…Ajman New Venture CentreAjman's newest entrepreneurial free zone — built for start…Ajman Media CityUAE's media and content-creator hub — licences from AED 5,…Meydan Free ZoneDubai's entrepreneurial free zone at the iconic Meydan rac…IFZA Free ZoneDubai's fastest-growing free zone — multi-activity licence…DMCC Free ZoneWorld's #1 free zone — the premium choice for commodity tr…Shams Free ZoneSharjah's media free zone — creative and digital licences …SAIF ZoneSharjah's industrial free zone — warehousing, logistics an…RAKEZRAK's all-in-one economic zone — business, industrial and …JAFZAJebel Ali — the world's largest free zone and gateway to g…Dubai mainlandThe UAE's commercial capital — trade anywhere in the UAE w…Abu Dhabi mainlandThe capital — government contracts, energy supply chains a…Sharjah mainlandIndustrial heartland of the UAE — manufacturing, trading a…Ajman mainlandGoldenKey's home emirate — one of the most affordable main…Ras Al Khaimah mainlandThe emirate of industry and tourism — low costs, strong ma…Umm Al Quwain mainlandThe quiet emirate — one of the lowest-cost mainland licenc…Fujairah mainlandThe UAE's east-coast gateway — shipping, bunkering and Ind…

Businesses Irish nationals open in the UAE

General Tradingimport, export, re-export and wholesale of a broad range o…E-commerceselling physical or digital products online through your o…IT & Softwaresoftware development, SaaS, app development, IT consulting…Business Consultingmanagement, strategy, HR, marketing or operations consulti…Marketing & Advertising Agencydigital marketing, social media management, advertising, b…Real Estate Brokeragebrokering the sale and leasing of property on behalf of ow…Restaurant & Caféoperating a dine-in restaurant, café, cloud kitchen or foo…Retail Shopselling goods to consumers from a physical shop, kiosk or …Logistics & Freight Forwardingfreight forwarding, cargo handling, courier services and s…Import & Exportimporting goods into the UAE and exporting or re-exporting…Manufacturing & Industrialproducing, assembling, processing or packaging goods in a …Construction & Contractingbuilding, civil works, MEP and specialist contracting for …Healthcare Clinicmedical, dental, physiotherapy or aesthetic clinics and ho…Education & Trainingtraining centres, tutoring, corporate training, e-learning…Media & Content Productionvideo production, photography, publishing, podcasting and …Recruitment & HR Servicesrecruitment, manpower supply, outsourcing and HR consultan…Travel & Tourism Agencyinbound and outbound travel, tour operating, ticketing and…Event Managementplanning and delivering corporate events, exhibitions, wed…Interior Design & Fit-outinterior design consultancy, space planning and, with the …Cleaning & Facilities Managementcommercial and residential cleaning, maintenance and integ…Beauty Salon & Spaladies' or gents' salons, barbershops, spas and nail studi…Fitness & Sportsgyms, personal training, yoga studios, sports academies an…Photography & Videographycommercial, wedding, product and real estate photography a…Legal Consultancyadvising on contracts, corporate structuring and complianc…Accounting & Bookkeepingbookkeeping, VAT and corporate tax filing, payroll and fin…Automotive & Spare Parts Tradingtrading new and used vehicles, spare parts, tyres and acce…Gold & Jewellery Tradingwholesale and retail trading of gold, diamonds, precious s…Crypto & Blockchainblockchain development, Web3 consultancy and, with VARA or…Fintech & Paymentspayment technology, lending platforms, wealth-tech and fin…Tourism & Hospitalityholiday homes, hotel management, desert safaris, yacht cha…Textile & Garments Tradingimporting and wholesaling fabrics, garments, uniforms and …Perfume & Cosmetics Tradingtrading, private-label and retail of perfumes, skincare an…Foodstuff Tradingimporting, distributing and re-exporting packaged food, be…Engineering Consultancycivil, structural, MEP and project-management engineering …Architecture & Designarchitectural design, urban planning and landscape archite…Printing & Packagingcommercial printing, signage, labels and packaging product…Car Rental & Leasingrenting and leasing vehicles to tourists, residents and co…Pharmaceutical & Medical Suppliesimporting and distributing medicines, medical devices and …Oil & Gas Servicesequipment supply, inspection, maintenance and consultancy …Maritime & Ship Servicesship chandling, bunkering support, crew services, marine s…Holding Companyowning shares in subsidiaries, property and investments un…

Why the UAE

Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes starting a business in the UAE as an Irish national a route to relocation as well as a business decision. Banking, logistics, telecoms and digital government services in the UAE are among the most advanced in the region, which keeps the running costs of starting a business in the UAE as an Irish national predictable.

Why GoldenKey

Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for starting a business in the UAE as an Irish national happen the same day they are ready. GoldenKey is a licensed business setup consultancy, not a reseller, which means your the UAE for Irish nationals application is prepared, checked and submitted by our own team. Our quotations for starting a business in the UAE as an Irish national list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything.

Frequently asked questions