Middle East Desk · Local presence in the UAE

A direct gatewayto the Emirates.

We support entrepreneurs, companies and family offices structuring, operating or expanding into the United Arab Emirates, with cross-border tax, legal and financial reading from day one.

Global presence
BOGOTALONDONDUBAI
Why a dedicated desk

The Emirates is not just another jurisdiction.

The UAE is now one of the world's most dynamic capital destinations. It attracts institutional investment, family offices and global companies through a hard-to-replicate combination: 9% corporate tax, zero personal income tax, access to free zones with preferential fiscal benefits, top-tier banking infrastructure and investment-linked residencies that let you operate and live with legal certainty. The capital flow into Dubai and Abu Dhabi is not a trend, it is a structural relocation of wealth and operations toward a jurisdiction competing directly with London, Singapore and Geneva.

That appeal demands precise reading from day one. Mainland or free zone, real economic substance, UBO compliance, specific banking standards and connection with the parent company in Colombia, the UK or Europe. Our Middle East Desk unites corporate structuring, tax planning, local hiring, compliance and immigration under one team with joint vision from Bogotá and London, so the UAE operation grows with the parent company, not apart from it.

Capabilities

Eight fronts. One team.

Mainland incorporation

Commercial, professional or industrial licensing before the DED, with 100% foreign ownership where applicable and full access to the local market.

Specialized Free Zones

DIFC, DMCC, ADGM, JAFZA, Meydan, IFZA. Strategic selection by sector, target banking and preferential tax regime.

Golden Visa & residencies

Golden Visa by investment, talent or professional category. Partner, employee and family residencies.

EOR & Payroll

Employer of Record and local payroll to hire in the UAE without opening an entity, with WPS-compliant contracts and end-of-service benefits.

Corporate Services

Registered office, corporate secretarial, bank account opening and maintenance, license renewals and local corporate governance.

Compliance & UBO

AML, sanctions screening, economic substance (ESR), UBO, 9% CIT compliance and UAE VAT regime.

Corporate immigration

Work permits, family sponsorship, schooling and healthcare. Coordination with GDRFA and sector authorities.

Business expansion

Gulf (GCC) entry strategy, international tax structuring and connection with the parent company in LATAM or Europe.

Jurisdictions

The right structure depends on the purpose.

MAINLAND

When the local market is the goal.

License issued by the Department of Economic Development (DED). Allows contracting with government, operating across the entire territory and, in most activities, 100% foreign ownership.

FREE ZONES

When the goal is tax, sector or global.

DIFC and ADGM for finance and wealth. DMCC for trading. JAFZA for logistics. IFZA and Meydan for holdings and services. Each zone defines banking, substance and tax treatment.

OFFSHORE

When holding is the priority.

IBC vehicles for wealth holding and international structures without local operation. Disciplined use, combined with a mainland or free zone structure where applicable.

Methodology

From first contact to a live operation.

01

Initial strategy

We understand the real goal, capital, substance and horizon. We define the path before touching any license.

02

Jurisdiction selection

Mainland or Free Zone. Chosen by sector, target banking and tax treatment.

03

Company incorporation

Licensing, capital, MoA, office and corporate structure aligned with the parent company and the 9% CIT.

04

Visa processing

Partner, employee and family residencies. Golden Visa by investment, talent or professional category.

05

Bank account

File preparation, coordination with local and international banks, and opening with robust AML criteria.

06

Tax & ongoing compliance

CIT, VAT, ESR, UBO, accounting, audit and annual renewal. A live operation, not a setup that goes cold.

When we get the call

Typical mandates.

Some recent examples

  • 01

    An entrepreneur wants to move their holding to the UAE for tax and succession efficiency.

  • 02

    A company evaluates opening in DIFC or ADGM to access the Gulf.

  • 03

    A fund wants to hire staff in the Emirates without opening an entity and needs EOR and payroll.

  • 04

    A family office structures investment-based residency and international wealth planning.

  • 05

    A startup raises an international round from a UAE holding structure.

  • 06

    A company needs to review its ESR, UBO and 9% CIT compliance.

Next move

The Emirates, with global-firm judgment.

We don't open branches. We architect the structure from which to operate, hire and scale, with one point of contact between Bogotá and Dubai.