Do I need to take up residence in Dubai or elsewhere in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in order to establish a company?

You do not need to reside in Dubai or elsewhere in the United Arab Emirates in order to be able to form a company in one of the Emirates or a free zone. The same holds true for the general manager of the new firm. However, depending on the requirements of the responsible authority, you might have to ensure that the manager mentioned on the license applies for a permanent residence permit for the United Arab Emirates (so-called residence visa) once the company formation has been completed. In this regard, attention should be paid to the fact that the manager would have to enter the Emirates at least once every six months in order for the residence visa to remain valid.