What is a Virtual Office in Dubai
A virtual office arrangement typically provides an address and administrative support services (e.g., mail handling). Whether it is acceptable for licensing depends on the relevant authority, activity, and compliance requirements.
Who is it for / Suitable for
Consultants and service providers requiring an administrative address for correspondence.
Foreign businesses testing the UAE market prior to a full physical expansion.
Start-ups seeking cost-controlled support services alongside compliant licensing.
Companies requiring mail handling, call answering, and meeting room access (where offered).
Key Requirements
Service provider agreement setting out scope and permitted address usage.
Alignment between the licensed activity and the office solution required by the licensing authority.
KYC/AML checks by the provider and/or licensing authority as applicable.
Migration to a physical lease/office solution where required for certain activities.
Clients need to provide the following information / documents
Document Name
Notarized
Passport copy (owner/manager)
Identity verification and service onboarding.
No
Proof of address
Utility bill or bank statement (typically ≤ 3 months).
No
Service agreement / contract
Defines address use, mail handling, and support services.
No
Trade license (if existing)
Used to align the address solution with licensing requirements.
No
Business activity description
Used to confirm suitability of a virtual office for the activity.
No
Average Processing Time
Typically 2–5 business days, subject to onboarding checks and any licensing authority requirements.
What you would get when the application is complete
Virtual office service agreement
Address confirmation / facility letter (where provided)
Mail handling setup and service credentials (where applicable)
On-going Compliance Requirements
After completion, businesses must maintain ongoing compliance:
Maintain active service agreement and renew in accordance with contract terms.
Ensure licensed activity and address solution remain aligned; update upon scope changes.
Comply with authority requirements for inspections or physical presence where applicable.
Government Agencies Involved
Government agencies involved / overseeing this application:
Relevant Licensing Authority (DET / Free Zone Authority)
Determines whether a virtual office solution is acceptable for the licensed activity.
Dubai Land Department (where lease-based solutions are required)
Office lease registration requirements may apply depending on setup.
Thanks vOffice for your quick action on my EJARI request. Appreciate your professionalism
Jen Sun
Your company handles our case very well and professional. Your regular updates allow us a peace of mind an dmake us feel like we are cared for. Your professional advise gave us a peace of mind too.
Adam
EngineerThanks for getting our Dubai company setup so quickly. Everything was perfect.
Mint
Thank you for assisting us with our case with the immigration department. We are satisfied with the outcome and we think it is fair.
Ryan Thompson
I like the way Elena handled our case despite the initial confusion. Her profesionalism is commendable.
Rachel Chen
Consult With Our Corporate Advisory Team
Our team is ready to guide you through the full process. Reach us on WeChat or WhatsApp.
Get Started
Schedule a discovery call to discuss your transformation goals.