Don't Make This Mistake When Setting Up In Dubai
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Every single week, we receive emails from people asking for help after things go horribly wrong with their company setup in Dubai. These aren’t our clients. They’re people who either tried to set up a business on their own or went with cheap, inexperienced consultants.
Their emails usually start the same way: “I need urgent help. My friend got scammed.” Or “The agency took our money, but now they’re not responding.” And worst of all: “The visa was rejected, and they say there’s nothing I can do.”
It’s heartbreaking. But it’s also entirely preventable. In this article, we’ll share real cases from just last week to show you exactly how these scams happen, why so many people fall for them, and how you can avoid becoming another horror story.
Case #1: The Emirates ID Trap
One of our clients contacted us in a panic. His friend had opened a company in Dubai with a so-called “consultant,” but they never got an Emirates ID.
Let’s break this down.
The consultant helped register the trade license, took a payment of over $7,000 or €7,000, and then completely ghosted the client during the residency phase. When asked about the Emirates ID and visa process, the consultant either didn’t know how to do it or simply refused. But instead of admitting that, they quoted an absurd additional fee of $14,000.
Why such a high fee? Simple: they were trying to price the client out.
This is a common tactic. When inexperienced agents don’t know how to complete the process, they throw out outrageous quotes to get rid of the client. It’s like when a plumber doesn’t want to fix a pipe and gives you a price he knows you’ll reject.
How We Helped
We stepped in, but it wasn’t as simple as just taking over the process. If you open a company in a Dubai free zone with one agent, you cannot transfer the management without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from that agent.
Luckily, this consultant wasn’t malicious. They gave the NOC, and we were able to take over. We processed the Emirates ID and visa within days.
But this could have gone very differently. Some agents refuse to issue an NOC unless you pay an exit fee or settle imaginary dues.
Lesson: Work with professionals who know the entire process and won’t trap you with hidden dependencies.
Case #2: The Fake Trade License
This one shocked even us.
A client came to us after spending $6,000 on their license and visa. When we asked for their documents, we immediately noticed something odd. The license looked… fake.
We verified it with the relevant free zone and the response was clear: “This license does not exist in our system.”
That’s right. The agency had issued them a fake trade license.
Can you imagine the risk here? You think you’re legally operating in Dubai, perhaps even signing contracts or opening bank accounts, only to realize that your company doesn’t exist.
When we took over, we had to start the process from scratch. But most people don’t even find out until it’s too late.
Lesson: Always verify your license with the official free zone portal or through a licensed consultant.
Case #3: The Visa That Was Never Applied For
This is another classic scam that happens more than people realize.
A client contacted us saying their visa had been rejected. They had already paid the agency for the license, visa fees, medical test, Emirates ID, and more.
We asked a contact at immigration to check the status. Their response? “This person is not in our system. No visa was ever applied for.”
In other words, the consultant took the money and claimed the visa was rejected — without even applying.
Why would someone do this? Because most clients won’t know how to verify the rejection. They accept it as bad luck and move on. Meanwhile, the consultant keeps the cash.
Lesson: If someone tells you your visa is rejected, ask for the reference number or screenshot from the immigration system.
Why Does This Happen?
There are two main reasons:
The rise of unlicensed “consultants” – Many individuals white-label services from actual free zone providers, but they don’t understand the full process. When something goes wrong, they’re either unresponsive or try to overcharge to make the problem disappear.
Price-driven decisions – People often choose the cheapest quote without asking what’s included. These “deals” may exclude key services like visa processing or bank account support.
And once you’re in, it’s very hard to switch. You’re locked in unless the agent provides a NOC. That’s why scammers can charge absurd amounts to “let you go.”
What to Look for in a Legitimate Business Setup Consultant
Transparent pricing with full breakdowns
No hidden renewal or exit fees
Direct access to immigration and free zone portals
Clear contracts with opt-out clauses
Experience across multiple industries
Track record and client testimonials
At GenZone, we don’t charge anything extra in the second year. We don’t trap clients with NOC restrictions. We focus on service, not sales tricks.
How to Protect Yourself from These Scams
Ask to see the trade license category and activity before paying.
Confirm if visa services are included.
Ask for timelines and what happens if delays occur.
Request a breakdown of costs in writing.
Verify the agent’s registration with the free zone.
Don’t make full payment upfront unless you’re confident in their process.
Check reviews on multiple platforms, not just their website.
Ask if the renewal cost includes their service fee.
The GenZone Guarantee
We’re proud to say that not one of the cases mentioned above involved a GenZone client. Every one of them came to us after being let down by someone else.
Why? Because we believe in building long-term trust, not short-term profits. We help hundreds of clients set up their companies and visas every month with:
Transparent pricing
Zero renewal markups
Clear contracts and management rights
A dedicated relationship manager
We also help people switch to GenZone if they’ve already set up elsewhere but are unhappy with the support.
