What does IBEAN cover for UAE operations?

IBEAN covers UAE VAT and FTA compliance, UAE Corporate Tax (from June 2023), free zone economic substance requirements, UAE banking and KYC facilitation, and board/investor reporting. For India-UAE businesses, IBEAN also manages FEMA/ODI compliance, transfer pricing documentation, and DTAA optimisation — under a single retainer.

Can IBEAN help India businesses set up a UAE free zone entity?

Yes. IBEAN advises on free zone selection (DIFC, ADGM, JAFZA, Sharjah, RAK) based on your business activity, ownership requirements, banking needs, and India-UAE DTAA position. IBEAN coordinates with incorporation agents and facilitates UAE bank account opening. On the India side, IBEAN handles FEMA/ODI filings (Form ODI-Part I) before the investment is made.

Does IBEAN handle UAE Corporate Tax?

Yes. UAE Corporate Tax applies from June 2023 at 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000. IBEAN advises on registration, taxable income computation, qualifying free zone entity status (which may attract 0% tax on qualifying income), related-party documentation, and annual CT return filing through the FTA EmaraTax portal.

IBEAN UAE / India-UAE Cross-Border

IBEAN UAE.
Both Jurisdictions.
One Retainer.

India businesses expanding to UAE need expertise in two regulatory regimes simultaneously — UAE VAT, FTA compliance, and free zone structuring on one side; FEMA, ODI filings, and DTAA on the other. IBEAN manages both under a single Virtual CFO retainer.

Virtual CFO UAE vs Local CFO →

Why Virtual CFO over Full-Time UAE CFO

AED 2.5–8KVirtual CFO retainer/mo

vs AED 8–25K for a full-time UAE CFO

1–2 wkEngagement start time

No visa, no relocation, no probation period

2 jurisdictionsUAE + India coverage

Single retainer — both regulatory regimes

5+ free zonesStructuring expertise

DIFC, ADGM, JAFZA, Sharjah, RAK

The India-UAE Challenge / Two Regulatory Regimes

India businesses with UAE entities face two full regulatory regimes — UAE FTA compliance and India FEMA/RBI. Most local UAE CFOs lack India depth. Most India advisors lack UAE VAT and free zone expertise. IBEAN covers both.

The India-UAE DTAA, ODI filings, transfer pricing between India parent and UAE subsidiary, UAE Corporate Tax, and free zone substance requirements — handled by one team.

UAE Compliance Coverage / 6 Regulatory Domains

Full Regulatory Stack. UAE + India.

UAE VAT (FTA)

VAT registration, quarterly return filing, FTA correspondence, voluntary disclosure management, input tax recovery optimisation

UAE Corporate Tax

Registration, taxable income computation, qualifying free zone entity status, related-party transaction documentation, annual filing

Free Zone Substance

Economic substance requirements for DIFC, ADGM, JAFZA — adequate employees, operating expenditure, management and control in UAE

FEMA / RBI (India side)

Form ODI-Part I filing before investment, Annual Performance Report (APR), dividend repatriation, transfer pricing documentation for intercompany

DTAA (India-UAE)

Withholding tax exemptions and reductions, treaty position documentation, permanent establishment analysis, royalty and interest optimisation

UAE Banking & KYC

Bank account facilitation, KYC documentation preparation, source of funds documentation, corporate structure explanation for UAE banks

IBEAN for UAE / Full Service Suite

Advisory Built for the India-UAE Corridor.

Virtual CFO — UAE & India-UAE

UAE VAT and FTA compliance, free zone structuring (DIFC, ADGM, JAFZA, RAK), FEMA/ODI compliance for India holding entities, transfer pricing documentation, and DTAA optimisation. One retainer. Both jurisdictions.

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UAE Regulatory Compliance

UAE Corporate Tax registration and compliance (from 2023), FTA VAT return filing, free zone economic substance requirements, UAE Commercial Law compliance, and AML/KYC readiness.

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Free Zone Structure Advisory

DIFC, ADGM, JAFZA, Sharjah and RAK free zone structure selection, incorporation support, mainland vs free zone trade-off analysis, and UAE banking facilitation for India-UAE businesses.

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India-UAE Cross-Border Advisory

ODI filings (Form ODI-Part I), Annual Performance Report (APR) compliance, DTAA withholding tax optimisation, repatriation planning, and intercompany transfer pricing documentation.

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UAE Market Entry Advisory

Market entry feasibility, business plan for UAE free zone licensing, UAE banking and KYC preparation, UAE corporate tax implications, and go-to-market strategy for the GCC region.

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Fractional CXO — UAE Operations

Fractional CFO, COO, and CMO services for UAE-based SMEs and India businesses with UAE subsidiaries. Senior executive leadership without the full-time cost and visa obligation.

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UAE Clients / Who We Work With

Built for India-UAE Business Reality.

IBEAN UAE works with three types of organisations — each requiring dual-jurisdiction expertise that a single-market advisor cannot provide.

India Businesses Expanding to UAE

India-headquartered businesses setting up UAE free zone entities (DIFC, ADGM, JAFZA, Sharjah, RAK) for trading, holding, or services. IBEAN manages both the India ODI/FEMA compliance and UAE VAT + free zone structuring.

UAE SMEs with India Operations

UAE-based businesses that have India subsidiaries, India-based teams, or India customers. IBEAN manages UAE VAT/CT compliance and India regulatory obligations — including transfer pricing and DTAA documentation.

Cross-Border Fund Management

India businesses routing international revenue or investments through UAE holding or DIFC structures. IBEAN manages the regulatory and tax structure — DTAA treaty position, ODI/APR filings, and UAE substance requirements.

GCC-Expanding Startups

Indian startups seeking GCC market access, UAE investor presence, or a DIFC/ADGM holding structure for international fundraising. IBEAN manages the regulatory structure and investor-facing financial reporting.

Frequently Asked Questions

IBEAN UAE — Frequently Asked Questions

5 Questions

A full-time UAE CFO costs AED 8,000–25,000/month base salary plus visa, benefits, and end-of-service gratuity. A Virtual CFO retainer starts at AED 2,500–8,000/month with no visa obligation, no gratuity, and engagement starting in 1–2 weeks. For India businesses with UAE subsidiaries, a Virtual CFO with dual India-UAE expertise is typically more effective — covering both jurisdictions under one retainer.

India businesses investing in UAE entities must file Form ODI-Part I with their AD bank before making the investment. Annual Performance Reports (APRs) are due by 31 December each year. IBEAN manages both requirements — and also handles dividend repatriation documentation, transfer pricing for intercompany transactions, and DTAA treaty position for withholding tax on payments between India and UAE entities.

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Additional questions? Contact the advisory team

Managing India-UAE operations? IBEAN covers both sides.

UAE VAT, FTA compliance, free zone structuring, FEMA/ODI filings, and India-UAE transfer pricing — under one retainer, from day one.

Virtual CFO UAE vs Local CFO