Common questions.

Bridge Point Consultancy FZC is a law and business consultancy based in Sharjah Free Zone, UAE. We provide four core services: Legal and Corporate Advisory, Business and Market Entry Advisory, Investment and Deal Advisory, and Strategic Connections. We are a consultancy — our role is to advise, guide and connect. We do not litigate, manage funds, or execute transactions on behalf of clients.

Bridge Point is a licensed consultancy, not a law firm in the traditional sense. We do not provide litigation services or represent clients in court proceedings. What we do provide is legal consultancy — advice on corporate structures, legal documents, regulatory compliance, IP matters and deal-related legal guidance. For matters requiring court representation, we work alongside licensed advocates and can make appropriate referrals.

No. Bridge Point is a non-litigation advisory firm. We do not represent clients in court, appear before tribunals, or conduct litigation of any kind. Our legal advisory is focused entirely on corporate, commercial and transactional matters — structuring, documentation, compliance and guidance. If you require litigation support, we can refer you to appropriate licensed advocates in the UAE.

We work in both English and Arabic. Our team is fully bilingual and we provide advisory, documentation review and communication services in both languages. For clients from outside the region, this is often one of the most valuable aspects of working with Bridge Point.

Bridge Point Consultancy FZC is registered and licensed in Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Our operational office is located at ACICO Business Park, Port Saeed, Dubai, Office No. 603-85. While we are based in the UAE, we regularly advise clients who are based internationally — including across the GCC, Europe, Africa and beyond — particularly those looking to enter or operate within the UAE and GCC markets.

The first step is a confidential conversation. You can reach us through the contact form on our website, by email at info@bp-consult.ae, or via WhatsApp. We will respond within 24 hours on business days to arrange an initial briefing. There is no obligation at this stage — we simply want to understand your situation before discussing how we can help.

We aim to respond to all enquiries within 24 hours on business days (Sunday to Thursday, UAE time). For urgent matters, WhatsApp is the fastest way to reach us.

Yes — absolutely. Every conversation with Bridge Point is treated as strictly confidential from the first contact. We do not share client information, enquiry details or the nature of any engagement with third parties under any circumstances. Discretion is not a policy we apply selectively — it is how we operate at every level.

Our fees vary depending on the nature and scope of the engagement. We work on a fixed-fee basis for defined advisory engagements, and on a retainer basis for ongoing advisory relationships. We do not charge hourly rates as a standard practice. All fee arrangements are agreed and documented clearly before any engagement begins. We are happy to discuss fee structures during the initial briefing.

Yes. A significant portion of our clients are based internationally — in Europe, Africa, the wider Middle East and beyond. We regularly advise foreign investors, entrepreneurs and businesses who are looking to enter the UAE or GCC markets, structure cross-border arrangements, or navigate UAE regulatory requirements from outside the country.

Yes. We advise on business setup across all three main structures in the UAE — free zone, mainland and offshore. We help you understand which structure best fits your business model, activity and objectives, guide you through the documentation and registration requirements, and support you through the process. We work alongside licensed registration agents and free zone authorities to ensure your setup is handled correctly.

These are the three primary legal structures for businesses in the UAE, each with distinct characteristics. A free zone company allows 100% foreign ownership and operates within a designated zone — it cannot trade directly with the UAE mainland market without a local distributor. A mainland company is licensed by the relevant emirate's Department of Economic Development, allows full market access across the UAE, and since 2021 permits 100% foreign ownership in most activities. An offshore company is a legal entity registered in the UAE but intended for international business — it cannot conduct business within the UAE itself. The right structure depends on your specific activity, target market, banking needs and long-term plans. We advise on this distinction regularly and can help you make the right decision for your situation.

In most cases, yes. Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 removed the requirement for a UAE national partner in the majority of business activities on the mainland, allowing 100% foreign ownership. Free zone companies have always permitted 100% foreign ownership. There are certain strategic or restricted activities that still require a UAE national partner — we can advise on whether your specific activity falls into this category.

Timelines vary depending on the structure and activity. A free zone company can typically be established in two to four weeks from the point all documents are in order. Mainland company formation generally takes four to eight weeks depending on the activity and emirate. Offshore structures can be faster. Delays most commonly arise from incomplete documentation or activities that require additional approvals. We help clients prepare thoroughly to avoid these delays.

Yes. We provide immigration and visa advisory as part of our Business and Market Entry service. We advise on investor visas, employment visas, residency options and the documentation requirements for each. We work with licensed immigration service providers to ensure applications are handled correctly and efficiently.

No — and this distinction is important. Bridge Point is an advisory firm. We do not manage, hold, control or make decisions over client funds, assets or investments at any point. We do not act as trustees, custodians, nominees or agents in any financial or investment capacity. Our role is to advise you — helping you assess opportunities, understand risks, review deal structures and make informed decisions. The decisions, and the execution of those decisions, remain entirely with you and your appointed financial or legal representatives.

A financial advisor or investment manager typically holds regulatory authorisation to manage client money, recommend regulated financial products, or execute transactions on a client's behalf. Bridge Point holds no such authorisation and does not perform any of these functions. We are a business and legal consultancy. We advise on the strategic, structural and legal dimensions of business decisions and transactions — helping clients think more clearly and act more confidently — but we do not handle money, manage portfolios or provide regulated financial advice. If you require regulated financial services, we can refer you to appropriately licensed professionals.

Deal advisory at Bridge Point means sitting alongside you through a significant business transaction — whether that is acquiring a business, entering a joint venture, structuring a partnership, or assessing a major investment opportunity. We help you ask the right questions, review the documents, map the risks, assess the counterparty, and ensure you are making a fully informed decision at every stage. We do not execute the transaction for you, manage the funds involved, or act as a broker or intermediary. Our role is to make sure that when you sign, you sign with clarity.

When a client needs access to investors, partners or other strategic relationships, we draw on our regional network to identify parties who genuinely fit their need. We make considered introductions — based on alignment of interest, sector fit and timing — and provide appropriate context to both parties. We do not operate as brokers or placement agents. We do not guarantee outcomes, and we do not act as intermediaries in financial negotiations. An introduction from Bridge Point is a facilitated connection between two parties — what happens next is entirely between them.

Our fee structure for Strategic Connections engagements is agreed upfront and in writing before any work begins. We do not operate on a pure success fee or commission basis tied to the outcome of any transaction or deal — this would constitute a form of financial intermediation that is outside the scope of our advisory mandate. Our fees reflect the advisory work, network access and time invested — not a percentage of any transaction value.