start an Interior Design Company in Dubai

How to start an Interior Design Company in Dubai?

Written by Mayra
Written by Mayra

Business Setup Advisor

Table of Contents

How to start an Interior Design Company in Dubai?

Dubai is one of the most contemporary cities famous for architecture and design. Within the largest design market in the Middle East, the interior design business accounts for a significant portion. Hence, investors and designers can easily gain a foothold in the market if they start an Interior Design Company in Dubai.

The interior business setup in Dubai is constantly expanding and as per projections, will continue to grow, considering the investments that government and corporations make to create stunning interiors.

Another wonderful incentive accompanying this idea is the simple incorporation procedure. To get started, you will need a professional license and the necessary visas. Nonetheless, if you wish to work independently, you can apply for a freelance license and still trade as an interior designer.

Advantages of opening an Interior Design Company in Dubai

When you set up an Interior Design Company in Dubai, the benefits and perks are endless. For instance,

  • Free and open economy – The open economy refers to the kind of market where local as well as international organizations influence commercial operations. The open economy of Dubai supports trade and business activities across the world, which has created a plethora of opportunities for interior designers in Dubai. They can collaborate with businesses and corporations from neighboring countries and establish their footprint on foreign lands.
  • Lenient tax policy – One of the major reasons for starting any business in Dubai is its lenient tax laws. Dubai’s favorable taxation policy allows business owners to save a significant amount of money on their earnings which they can put to productive use in other areas of business.
  • Special permits for artists and designers – It is usually mandatory to get a professional license and visa before running a business, and UAE offers a straightforward procedure for the establishment and registration of an interior design company. However, in certain cases, individuals desire to work independently as freelancers in Dubai. And to meet this requirement, the government came up with a special freelancing license or permit, also known as Interior Design Consultancy License or an Interior Designers Permit.
  • Collaborative infrastructure and environment – Companies in Dubai generally get work-friendly infrastructure and atmosphere to operate. And that is why the number of business projects in the city is continuously increasing. This scenario has opened the doors for interior designers to scale up and expand their businesses.
  • Increased demand – As it is quite evident that Dubai homes some world-class structures with unique designs such as Burj Khalifa, Marina 101, etc. The demand for such creativity is still high in the Emirate. Similarly, the rapid development of the corporate sector has also led to an increased demand for retail and residential ventures. Hence, it can be said that this is the right time to enter the field and grab the opportunities in the market.

Documents required for interior design license in Dubai

You need to gather the following documents to arrange for your interior design license in Dubai –

For initial approval:-

  • A detailed business plan
  • License application
  • Passport copies of the company executives (managers, shareholders, and directors)

For company registration:-

  • Post-dated checks
  • Board Resolution
  • Company registration application form
  • Memorandum of Association (MOA)
  • Copy of Certificate of incorporation
  • No Objection Certificate from the current sponsor
  • confirmation letter
  • Fee payment invoice

Procedure to set up an Interior Design Company in Dubai

Regardless of all the arrangements you make, the application procedure can be too complicated if you continue without the necessary information. That’s why it is recommended to work with company setup professionals like Bizinvestfirm who can make the entire process comprehensive and accurate.

Process of start an Interior Design Company in Dubai

1. Decide the range of activities you wish to offer

While deciding the activity for your interior design business, there is a range of options available that you can select from depending on your level of expertise. For instance, designing and sourcing the materials for fixtures, condominiums and apartments, luxury villas, outdoor landscaping, etc. Hence, you can decide accordingly whether you want to specialize in delivering one particular service or offer an entire array of services.

2. Reserve a name for the company

Select three to four names and submit them to the concerned authority for approval. Nevertheless, remember to follow the naming convention guidelines while compiling the list of names. A professional business setup consultant can explain these guidelines to you in detail and also guide you in searching for the apt name for your company.

3. Determine the organizational structure

The next fundamental step is to finalize the organizational structure, whether you want to be the sole proprietor of your firm, or you want to run it in partnership. There are also other options available for the same, but you must ensure to make your choices carefully for a constructive future for your business.

4. Finalize a location and office for the company

The Dubai Design District(D3) Free Zone is the hotspot for the designer community. It offers a pool of possibilities for interior design business ideas. Similarly, you can also approach the Dubai Studio City (DSC) Free Zone which is also a viable option. However, if you want to access the local market, then Dubai Mainland should be on your preference list.

Once you decide where you want to set up your firm, the next step is to find a suitable corporate space. Further, prepare a tenancy contract and present it to the authorities as evidence during the license approval process.

5. Get additional approvals, if required

Often, certain business activities are beyond the limitations of the licensing authority, therefore cannot be permitted for operation without superior approvals. Hence, you might need to obtain extra permits from other agencies or authorities for the uninterrupted and secure functioning of your firm in the country.

6. Obtain the license

Complete all the relevant paperwork, pay the mandatory fees, submit the required details, and get your interior design license in Dubai. Nonetheless, if you wish to make the above process more quick and affordable, then collaborate with business setup consultants of Bizinvestfirm.

7. Manage visas

An effective business license makes you eligible to apply for visas, be it for yourself, your family, or your domestic helpers. You can follow the visa issuance guidelines of the immigration department of the concerned jurisdiction and then apply accordingly.

8. Open a corporate account

Once you are done with all the above steps, open a bank account to manage your business-related transactions. Take substantial time researching various banks, their services, offerings, and inadequacies as well. Eventually, choose the one that fits best your business needs.

Now that your interior design and décor business is successfully established in Dubai, your further focus must be to create a name for your brand in the competitive marketplace of UAE. for that purpose, there are a few additional steps that you can practice, such as building a company website, fixing the prices for your services, promoting your business on various platforms, connecting with suppliers and building contractors, and many more.

Build your dream business with us!

UAE is welcoming skilled interior designers from all over the world, considering the significant demand for them in the market. So, if you too desire to invest your time and money in your dream business of interior design & décor in Dubai, then collaborate with Bizinvestfirm to get the right guidance for further movements.

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