How To Start A Facilities Management Company In The UAE

Author: Melban Mascarenhas | Published: August 26, 2022

The UAE is an excellent choice if you are considering starting a facilities management company. With its large and rapidly growing market, ample opportunities for growth and favourable business environment, the UAE is the perfect place to start your business.

This comprehensive guide covers the licensing requirements, costs involved, and step-by-step process to get your facilities management business up and running in the UAE.

Table of Contents

What Does a Facilities Management Company Do?

A facilities management company provides a wide range of services that help to keep buildings and grounds in good condition. These companies are responsible for maintaining the facilities themselves and coordinating the work of contractors who provide additional services.

Scope of Facilities Management Services

Facilities management includes everything from managing office buildings to maintaining hospitals. The core responsibilities include:

Target Market

Facilities management services are useful for companies of all sizes. Whether the client is a start-up or a Fortune 500 company, having a specialised team manage the property can increase productivity and decrease costs.

Advantages of Starting a Facilities Management Company in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates is a rapidly growing market for facilities management services. With its large and rapidly expanding population, there is a growing demand for facilities that meet the highest quality and safety standards.

Key Benefits

1. Highly Developed Infrastructure

The UAE has a highly developed infrastructure, which makes it easy to set up and operate a facilities management company.

2. Stable Business Environment

The country offers a stable and business-friendly environment, which is crucial for any business's success.

3. Favourable Tax Regime

The UAE has a favourable tax regime and offers ample opportunities for business development.

4. Growing Economy

The UAE's growing economy presents opportunities for facilities management companies to expand their operations. The tourism and business industries are experiencing particularly strong growth, driven by demand from both the public and private sectors. This provides an ideal environment for facilities management companies to grow and flourish.

5. Skilled Workforce

A facilities management company in the UAE benefits from a skilled workforce. The UAE has a large pool of talented and experienced professionals who can support all aspects of facilities management. In addition, the labour cost in the UAE is relatively low compared to other countries.

Steps to Start a Facilities Management Company in the UAE

The company formation process in the UAE can be tricky, but by following these simple step-by-step instructions, it will become much easier. Below are five basic steps to take when forming your own business:

Step 1: Choose Your Company's Name

The trade name is a critical component of the legal process. You must choose an appropriate and professional-sounding one and comply with UAE's strict naming conventions (no harmful or disrespectful language).

Step 2: Decide the Jurisdiction

The United Arab Emirates has three economic zones:

Each jurisdiction offers its own business-related laws to cater to various company requirements. Your company's specific needs will determine which one is right for you.

Step 3: Legal Structure

You can choose from several legal structures for your business in the UAE. The legal structure of your business greatly impacts:

Before applying for the licence, you must determine which type best suits your needs.

Step 4: Documentation Submission to the DED

Once you have settled on a company name, an undertaking and a location, complete the necessary paperwork and submit it to DED (Department of Economic Development) for endorsement.

The DED is responsible for issuing the required licences and permits for establishing a business in the country. The licencing of a company and its formation occur simultaneously.

Step 5: Obtain Licenses

Once the DED has approved your business activities, you will receive:

After approval, you can apply for additional documents such as:

Documents Required to Start a Facilities Management Company

When applying to the DED, whether through a business formation agent or on your own, you will need to provide the following information and paperwork:

Document Description
Investor's Passport Copy of the investor's passport
Local Sponsor's Passport Copy of the local sponsor's passport (if required)
No Objection Certificate (NOC) Required if any shareholder is working in a UAE company
Emirates ID Copy of Emirates ID of the shareholder(s)
DED Registration Application Form Official application form for DED registration
Memorandum of Association Attested from a public notary
Tenancy Contract Certified tenancy contract for the office premises (if any)

Important Note: During the procedure, you may be asked to provide additional paperwork. Working closely with a business formation agent can be beneficial because they will know exactly what information you need at each process step.

Cost of Starting a Facilities Management Company

The cost of registering a company in the UAE is not as costly as you might think.

Company Registration Costs

Base Registration Cost: AED 20,000 onwards

The outlay depends on:

Visa Costs

Visa Type Cost Range
Investor Visa AED 4,000 to AED 5,000
Employee Visa AED 5,000 to AED 7,000 per visa

Note: The number of employee visas you need will affect the total cost.

For an accurate quote, get in touch with SPC Free Zone to receive an up-to-date estimate that considers your specific needs. This way, you know you're paying the lowest possible rate for the services you need.

Why Choose SPC Free Zone?

Conveniently located near Sharjah, the SPC Free Zone is a popular business location. Established in 2017, it provides various state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities.

Facilities Available

All facilities operate within a regulatory framework favourable to businesses.

Key Benefits

Ownership and Capital Requirements:

Business Activities:

Licensing Options:

Fast Processing:

Business Support:

SPC Free Zone promotes entrepreneurship and offers business support services to help companies grow and become economically contributing entities.

Contact Information

Contact SPC Free Zone for help with your business setup in the UAE today.

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