UAE business setup made simple: One complete, seamless solution

Setting up a business in the UAE is an attractive opportunity for global investors, entrepreneurs, and expanding organisations. Yet the journey from choosing the right jurisdiction to securing the trade licence, registering shareholders, obtaining visas, and ensuring ongoing compliance can be complex when handled through multiple vendors. Fragmented processes often lead to duplicated steps, delays, inconsistent communication, and increased risk.

Grant Thornton UAE’s Business Process Solutions (BPS) brings together every element required to launch and operate a UAE business  – incorporation, PRO and visa services, accounting, payroll, and HR advisory and related compliances to the services mentioned – through one unified, end‑to‑end solution. This approach is designed to support structured delivery, clear accountability, and documentation discipline across the setup and operating cycle. Our model removes the complexity of coordinating multiple providers, helping organisations set up with greater predictability, stay compliant, and maintain strong operational control while reducing cost and administrative burden. 

End-to‑end incorporation and licensing support

Getting the structure right is the foundation of a strong UAE launch. From selecting the most suitable jurisdiction (mainland, free zone) to achieving full operational readiness, Grant Thornton UAE supports businesses end-to-end.

Our incorporation services include:

• Company setup across free zone and mainland jurisdictions, ensuring all legal documentation and government approvals are completed accurately.
• Trade licence registrations, amendments, renewals, and annual filings, completed on time to help reduce disruption and compliance risk.
• Supporting ‘bank‑ready’ preparation, by helping you compile a consistent information pack aligned to your stated business activity and ownership structure, strengthening documentation discipline and reducing rework.

The result:

A faster, smoother incorporation experience with significantly reduced administrative friction.

Centralised support team for visa and other matters

Once the license is issued, companies must manage labour and immigration obligations, which can quickly overwhelm organisations unfamiliar with UAE requirements. Our BPS team acts as your in‑house government liaison, ensuring every compliance need is handled professionally, with clear ownership and consistent documentation. 

We support clients with:

• Visa processing, renewals, and cancellations for employees and dependents.
• Labour contracts, MOHRE approvals, settlements, and regulatory filings.
• Translations, notarisations, attestations, and documentation support across authorities.

The impact:

Businesses operate with confidence, remain compliant, and reduce the risk of delays or penalties associated with fragmented PRO processes.

Accounting and bookkeeping

Once operational, companies require a reliable back‑office structure that supports financial clarity, regulatory compliance, and smooth employee management. Our team offers a unified outsourcing model that provides accounting, payroll, and HR advisory under one solution, strengthening governance while lowering operational costs.

Accounting and bookkeeping

We help organisations establish and maintain compliant, audit‑ready financial records. Our offerings include:

• Understanding the accounting, financial, and reporting requirements of the organisation.
• Designing the chart of accounts, recording transactions, and managing month‑ and year‑end closings.
• Recording day-to-day transactions, month- and year-end closing and reporting.

This supports businesses in ensuring accurate financial visibility and strong auditability from day one.

Payroll services

We deliver end‑to‑end payroll processing, helping clients comply with UAE payroll frameworks, including:

• Maintaining employee master data and processing monthly payroll.
• Managing end‑of‑service benefits, leave and gratuity accruals, and generating compliant payslips.
• Ensuring alignment with the Wage Protection System (WPS).
• For Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) entities, ensuring alignment with the DIFC Employee Workplace Savings (DEWS) plan, where applicable.
• Supporting workforce obligations under the Emiratisation mandate, where applicable. 

Our payroll solution improves accuracy, reduces compliance risks, and enhances employee trust.

Did you know? Official UAE guidance states that private sector employers should pay staff salaries through the Wage Protection System to avoid penalties and fines.

HR advisory

To help organisations build strong people foundations, we offer HR advisory services covering:

• Onboarding and exit briefings, employee documentation, and compliant employment contracts.
• Recruitment and personnel management advisory and support for managing absences, leave, and workplace incidents.
• Advisory on disciplinary matters, termination processes, and compliance with UAE labour law. 

Together, our accounting, payroll, and HR advisory support creates a cohesive operating ecosystem for long‑term stability and operational continuity.

A smarter way to build in the UAE

The UAE offers exceptional opportunities, but only when setup and operations are managed efficiently. Grant Thornton UAE’s integrated BPS model transforms the market‑entry experience from a fragmented, multi‑vendor process into a coherent, structured, and professionally managed journey.

By unifying incorporation, PRO, visa, bookkeeping, accounting, payroll, HR advisory services and related compliances, we help businesses operate with clarity, control, and confidence – so leaders can focus on growth rather than administration.