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Business  ·  Entrepreneur
How to Check your Visa Fines in the UAE
Did you know that you can check your visa fines by yourself in the UAE? Whether you are a visitor or a resident in the UAE, it is important to ensure that you do not violate any of the requirements set out for your visa since most of the fines will be added every day.
 
You can use the websites of either of these two immigration authorities, to check for visa fines regardless of which Emirate issued the visa.
 

• Option 1 – Check Visa fine through ICP
• Option 2 – Check Visa fine through GDRFA

 

Option 1 – Visa fine inquiry through ICP

Step 1: Access the service online

• Click the link beta.smartservices.icp.gov.ae

• Scroll Down by reading each service and you will find a service titled as, ‘Fines – Pay Fines – Violations of Entry Permissions or Residences – Pay New Fine’. (Tip: 14th Service category)

• Click on the ‘Start Service’ tab.

Step 2: Fill in the details
You will be requested to select the module. If you are holding a residence visa, choose the file

number and if you are on visit/tourist/permit visa please choose Citizens of Certain Countries.

If you have residence visa, follow this:

• Fill in your file number. You can find the file number on the UAE residence visa page of your passport and fill in your date of birth.

• After filling out the information, tick the captcha box and click on ‘Search’.

• The system will then show any fines that have been levied on the visa.

If you are on tourist/visit/permit visa, follow this:

• Fill in your passport number, Passport type – for example: diplomatic, UN or ordinary passport, Date of Birth Current nationality

• After filling out the information, tick the captcha box and click on ‘Search’.

• The system will then show any fines that have been levied on the visa.

Option 2 – Visa fine inquiry through GDRFA

You can view if you have visa fines through GDRFA website as well.
 

1- Click the link https://www.gdrfad.gov.ae/en/fines-inquiry-service

2. From the first dropdown menu, select the file type:

• Resident (for residence visa holders)
• Permit (for visit or tourist visa holders)

3. Provide the following details:

• Place of issue (select the Emirate that issued the visa)
• File number
• Date of birth
• Gender

4. Next, you will be asked to solve a simple math equation, as a captcha verification process.

5. Next, click on the red ‘Submit’ button.

6. The system will then show any fines that have been levied on the visa. If you do not have

any fines, you will receive a green pop-up message on the GDRFA website notifying you that there are no fines on your file number.

Grace period

It is important to remember that UAE visa holders have grace periods in place, which give them some time to get their visa status sorted out before fines are imposed on them. The official UAE government website explains that if you are a holder of a residence visa, you have 30 days after the expiration date to either amend your status and obtain a new residence visa or leave the country. In the same way, the website reports that tourists and visitors have a grace period of ten days after the expiration of their visas. If they overstay their visa beyond this grace period, that is when fines are levied.
Common Taxes in the UAE
Business  ·  Entrepreneur
Most common taxes in the UAE

There is no doubt that UAE has been an attractive destination for offshore businesses due to the various tax benefits provided by the UAE Government. Further having 100% control of your new business and being easy to set up has made it even more popular among business owners to set up their businesses in the UAE. But have you ever figured what are the benefits and types of different taxes in the UAE? If the answer is no, this blog will be perfect for you.

Federal Taxes in the UAE

 

Income Tax

There is no income tax in UAE for foreigners. This means both employers and employees who hold residence visa does not need to pay income tax within the country.

Corporate Tax

Corporate tax in UAE has only levied only on oil companies up to 55% and foreign banks up to 20% sectors. All other business sectors are exempted from corporate tax.

Double Taxation

The UAE has 94 agreements with other countries in place with other nations to avoid double taxation on investments overseas. This allows the expatriates to send back 100% of their capital and profits for their country without double taxation

Taxes on goods and services in the UAE

Value Added Tax

Value Added Tax (VAT) was introduced in the UAE on 1 January 2018, at the rate of 5 percent. All mainland business transactions are liable to pay 5% VAT for the Federal Tax Authority of the UAE. However, if your business is established in a Free Trade Zone of UAE and you are not by any means dealing within the UAE you are not liable to pay 5% VAT. For more details, read our blog; Introduction to VAT in the UAE

Custom Duty Tax

Generally, if you import a product from a specific country and export the same to another country from UAE you are exempted from paying customs duty tax.

If you are dealing inside the UAE, customs duties in the UAE are set at 5% of the CIF value of most products. However, alcoholic, carbonated, and sweetened beverages have a 50% duty, as do electronic cigarettes and tobacco products. This high tax is known as Excise tax which we have covered in our next point.

Excise Tax

The excise tax was introduced across the UAE in 2017. Excise tax is a form of indirect tax levied on specific goods which are typically harmful to human health or the environment. Below are the business sectors that should pay excise tax.

  • Carbonated drinks – 50 percent
  • Tobacco products – 100 percent
  • Energy drinks – 100 percent
  • Electronic smoking devices – 100 percent
  • Liquids used in smoking devices and tools – 100 percent
  • Any product with added sugar or other sweeteners – 50 percent

 

Other Taxes

 

Taxes for tourist facilities

UAE imposes taxes for facilities provided by Restaurants, hotels, hotel apartments, resorts etc. from tourists. An individual would need to pay one or more of the following taxes:

  • Room rate – 10 percent
  • Service charge – 10 percent
  • Municipality fees – 10 percent
  • Tourism fee – 6 percent
  • City tax – (ranging from 6 to 10 percent)

Hotel rooms in Dubai are subject to ‘Tourism Dirham Fees’, which range from AED 7 to 20 depending on the category/grade of the hotel.

In May 2016, hotels in Abu Dhabi began charging an additional 4 percent of hotel stay bills and AED 15 per night per room in May 2016.

In Ras Al Khaimah, hotels charge AED 15 tourism fees per room per night.

Rental Taxes

Rental taxes vary according to the Emirates. In Dubai, residential tenants pay 5%, while commercial tenants pay 10%. In Abu Dhabi, UAE citizens are not taxed on their properties, but their expat counterparts pay 3%.

Useful Materials:

  • Federal Tax Authority of UAE
  • Double Taxation Agreement

For more information about starting your business in the UAE, please feel free to contact us and our team would be glad to assist your business requirements.

Business  ·  Entrepreneur
5 Tips to Consider Before Starting an E-commerce Business in UAE

UAE is one of the top emerging countries that actively promote the e-commerce trading platform. UAE despite having only one-third of the population managed to outperform Saudi Arabia by having an e-commerce market value of over US$10 billion. A recent Mastercard study found that 73 percent of UAE consumers are shopping more online than they did before the pandemic. Get more stats about the study here.

Recently, the Dubai government launched the Dubai E-Commerce Strategy with the aim of solidifying the city as a global logistics hub for the Middle East and increasing its share of the local economy to AED12 billion (approx. US$3.2 billion) by 2023.

With 100% ownership of your business and tax exemptions, this looks like the perfect time and opportunity to start your eCommerce brand in the UAE.

Source: https://www.paymentscardsandmobile.com/

It’s relatively easy for you to start and manage your E-commerce business if you choose your business set up properly. Since there are numerous ways for you to get an eCommerce license in the UAE, finding the most reliable, and cost-effective business setup solution might be a time involving the issue.

Given below are 5 tips to consider before starting your E-commerce business in the UAE.

 

1. Choose E-Commerce packages wisely

 
We thought of putting this tip as number one since most people often get annoyed with E-Commerce packages. Most companies offer business start-up packages to attract or bait clients which only include the cost for your business license. Your residence visa and bank account opening cost will need to be settled separately. Further, to open a business bank account in the UAE, all the shareholders of the company should hold residence visas. So, it is a must for you to get a visa for all the investors of your company if you are planning to get a bank account. If you are choosing a business start-up package, make sure that you are clear about the cost involved for a residence visa and bank opening.
 

2. Select the most relevant activity for your business

 
In UAE you can hold three types of licenses (Commercial, Service, Industrial) and the license should be renewed every year. Once you choose the license type, the next step would be to select your business activities. If you are planning to cater to a specific business sector, then you can choose one of the business activities from the business activity list provided by the licensing authority. Check out the available business activities provided by the Department of Economic Development – Government of Dubai. If your plan is to cater to multiple business sectors you could go ahead with the most common activity called ‘General Trading’.
 

3. Choosing your Licensing Authority

 
Choosing the most reliable licensing Authority is one of the most important decisions to make in your business setup. In general, you could either choose a free zone authority where you can get 100% Ownership or choose a Dubai Mainland license where you must get a local sponsor with 51% ownership. The decision is entirely up to you since both have their pros and cons if you need more details about choosing the business structure contact our team and we would provide you with more information.
 

4. Choose a name for your Business

 
It is mandatory to take approval for the company name. Further, there is a certain limitation when naming a business. For an instance, you can’t use a service in your business name if you are getting a commercial license. You can check with the licensing authority for the name availability, or you could use the support of a service-providing company like us to get your name approval for your business.
 

5. Choose a facility for your business

 
If you go ahead with a free zone establishment you could get an already built facility from the licensing authority itself. You could choose from a wide range of spaces for an annual rent. Starting from virtual offices, shared offices, dedicated offices, customizable offices, warehouses, and many more. If you decided to go ahead with a mainland company, you may need to find a suitable office space separately.
 
 
 
Eagle Eye International has been a catalyst for the professional success of companies in the U.A.E. since its inception in the year 1998. With over decades of trusted excellence in incorporating businesses in the UAE, we could assist your business formation. Should you have any inquiries to set up your business in the UAE contact our team on +971 240 1778 and our team would be glad to assist you.

UAE-Free-zone-Business-Setup-EagleEyeInternational
Business  ·  Entrepreneur
Why Choose UAE Free Zones for Your Business?

For the past years, UAE got attention from investors all over the world for its unique geographical location and tax benefits provided for international businesses. If you are planning to setup your business in UAE this blog will be helpful for you to get an idea about why choose a UAE-free zone for your business setup.

Free Zone business setup is the most demanded business setup in UAE because of the 100% ownership. Free Zone is a geographically defined area with a boundary where businesses are allowed to trade goods and services within the limits. There are over 60 Free Zones in the UAE and each free zone offers different benefits compared to each other. There are some free Zones dedicated to Media, Health Care, Education, Manufacturing, Importing and Exporting, Trading, and many more.

Finding the best free zone for you depends on the business activity you are looking to do in the UAE. Some business activities require several business approvals which must be taken separately by different respective local departments. For example, an aviation business should take special approval from the civil aviation department.

Further, you need to choose a facility as well for your business in the UAE. You could choose from virtual offices to ready-built shared offices, dedicated offices, warehouses, or even buy a plot of land to construct your own facility. Generally, it’s not that difficult to setup a business in a free zone in the UAE. Most Free Zones provide the business license within one day. Check out our post on how to start a free zone company in UAE for more information.

There are mainly three types of legal structures in a Free Zone business formation:

  1. FZE (Free Zone Establishment) – One Shareholder in the Company
  2. FZC (Free Zone Corporation) – Multiple Shareholders in the Company
  3. A Branch of a local or international company

Pros of Setting Up a Business in UAE Free Zone

 

Pros-of-uae-free-zone-business-setup-EagleEyeInternational

1. 100% Business Ownership

Unlike in Mainland businesses where the highest shares of the company should be obtained by a local sponsor, Free Zones offer 100% ownership to all foreign business owners from small to large enterprises.

2. Setup your Business within one Day

It is relatively easy to setup your business in a Free Zone and most free zones offer business licensing within a single day.

3. Own dedicated Free Zone Jurisdiction – Trouble-Free Immigration Procedures

Investors and employees will get 2-3 years’ residence visas depending on the chosen free zone for your business. Each Free Zone has its own in-house team to process immigration-related services. Employees will benefit from many privileges from the visas like sponsoring their family, spouse, and children

4. 100% Repatriation of Capital and Profit

UAE offers 0% income tax for businesses and has a double taxation avoidance agreement with 135 countries. Business owners could get the full tax benefits.
Find out with what countries UAE has signed an agreement to avoid double taxation

5. Corporate and Duty Tax Exemptions

Enjoy 0% corporate and duty tax if you offer your service inside the Free Zone or import and export products internationally without dealing with the mainland of the UAE. However, it’s not the same case in mainland businesses. If you are offering a product or service for the mainland business community, you are liable for corporate tax (VAT) of 5% and duty tax separately. Check our blog post about Introduction to VAT in the UAE.

6. Labor and Staff Accommodation

If you are planning to hire employees for your company, some free zones offer onsite labor and staff accommodation, so you need not worry about your employees’ shelter. Restaurants and recreational centers are available in the free zone itself.

Cons of Setting Up a Business in Free Zone

 

1. Limited Business Expansion
 
Limitations on providing services for the mainland of the UAE. You can enjoy the Free Zone privileges inside the boundary of the free zone. You require to pay corporate and duty tax if you are dealing with the mainland of the UAE.
 
2. Business Activity Restrictions
 
Some of the unique business activities are not allowed to provide in Free Zones. These types of special businesses should be incorporated in the mainland. Especially, if you are providing government or local services you may need to establish your business directly in the mainland.
 
The best setup for your business depends on the activity you are planning to do in UAE. If you are planning to import and export products or want to do international business Free zone business is the best for you with its logistics, infrastructure, and tax benefits. 
 

Eagle Eye International is a corporate service-providing company with over 22 years of experience in the UAE. Book a free consultation with our team to find out the most reliable and cost-effective solution for your business in the UAE.

Business  ·  Entrepreneur
How to start a company in Free Zone?

One of the most demanded business startups in UAE is the Free zone company business setup.

Its relatively easier to setup a free zone company compared to a mainland company. Free zone authorities require minimum paperwork and duration as well. There are over 40 Free Zones in UAE.

Each Free Zones has its own quirks and features that offers opportunities and benefits for businesses. For instance, UAE has specific free zones dedicated to Education, Research and Innovations, Technology, Entertainment and Media, Healthcare and etc.

With a wide variety of activities inside Free Zones, identifying the most suitable Free Zones for your business is a challenge faced by new businesses today. Given below are three steps that you could follow to identify the most effective Free Zone for your businesses.

  1. Build the initial plan for your business
  2. Choose the most suitable Free Zones that would suites your business plan
  3. Setup your business

1. Build the initial plan for your business

The most common mistake that people make is that they do not have a proper idea about the rules and regulations of the Free Zones.

Opening a business in Free Zones is relatively easy. Some Free Zones offer business licensing within hours and does not even require a capital.

But there are other aspects like Visa processing, Government Registrations and Business Renewals (License Renewal, Facility Renewal, Establishment card Renewal, E-channel Renewal, Government Renewals) that could be complexed for new businesses and will acquire a considerable amount of money and time based on your preparation.

Another major problem that people face is winding up a company. UAE Free Zones have a detailed process when it comes to winding up a company. People who fail to meet the requirements will have to pay huge amount of fines. None of this problems would exist if you have a proper plan for your business and understand the Legal system of the dedicated Free Zone. So it is crucial that you have a proper plan for your business before choosing any Free Zones in UAE. Start building your plan with these steps.

  • Determine the number of investors (Legal Entity)
  • Choose a company name
  • Identify the business activity
  • Choose a facility for your business (Offices, Warehouse, Plot of Land)
  • Number of Visas required for the business

2. Choose the most suitable Free Zones that would suites your business plan

Once you have a plan for your business you could choose a Free Zone. Plus you could have access to all the information of the Free Zones by visiting their website.

Once you know more information about Free Zones, find which will offer you the best advantage based on your business plan. Or else you could request assistance from a consultancy company to provide you more information for free without any cost. Present them your overall business plan and they will provide you the solutions.

Many Free zones offer discounted price due to the current pandemic situation and you could use this as an advantage to start your business for a great price. Given below are some of the recommended Free Zones for your business setup.

  • DMCC
  • Jebel Ali Free Zone
  • SAIF Zone
  • Hamriyah Free Zone

3. Setup your business

Speak with a representative of the chosen Free Zone and present your business plan to them. The team will guide you through the process. Most importantly, they will check the availability of the suggested name and the business activity of your company. If your business is related to Medical, Education you may require to take approvals from the relevant authorities. Further the owners and shareholders of the company will have to sign the documents provided by the Free Zone. Upon completion of these steps you will get your business license.

Eagle Eye International is a professional business consultancy company with over 40 years of experience in UAE. We have assisted over hundreds of business formation. We will assist from analyzing your business requirement to delivering your business license. These are the below services that we would assist you in the business formation.

  • Getting Name Approvals
  • Activity Approvals
  • Shareholder’s Structure
  • Necessary Documents Arrangement for Signatures
  • Business Registration
  • Business Licensing
  • Corporate Consultancy
  • Documents Submission & Get the Original Documents
  • Handing over the Original Documents – Trade License, MOA, Tenancy Contract
  • Documentation and typing of the company establishment card
  • Documentation for the E-channel Registration

If you need any clarification, please contact our team and we would be glad to assist.


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