How to register a business with manual card entry in favorable jurisdictions
Introduction: When Manual Entry Isn't a Threat, but a Tool
Manual card entry is often associated with fraud. However, it's actually
a legitimate and necessary feature for businesses where physical cards are not available:
- Telephone sales (MOTO — Mail Order / Telephone Order),
- On-site services (plumbers, electricians),
- Hotel business (pre-authorization upon booking).
The problem is that most countries are
extremely reluctant to provide this feature due to the high risk of fraud.
However, there are exceptions — the
UAE and
Georgia. These jurisdictions combine
lenient regulation,
simple registration, and
access to high-risk processors.
In this article, we'll discuss
how to legally register a business in these countries and
obtain a merchant account with manual entry.
Part 1: Why the UAE and Georgia?
UAE: A Business Oasis
- 0% income tax and VAT (in the free zone),
- Quick registration (3-5 days),
- Loyal banks (Emirates NBD, ADCB),
- Access to high-risk processors (Telda, Network International).
Georgia: A European Bridge
- Simple LLC registration (1 day),
- Low taxes (15% on profits),
- Access to SEPA and international processors,
- English-speaking banks (TBC Bank, Bank of Georgia).
Key advantage:
Both jurisdictions
do not require the physical presence of the owner.
Part 2: UAE – Step-by-Step Registration
Step 1: Select a free zone
| Free Zone | Advantages | Price |
|---|
| RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah) | The cheapest, suitable for high-risk | $2,000–$3,000/year |
| DMCC (Dubai) | Prestige, but more expensive | $5,000–$8,000/year |
| Ajman Free Zone | Quick registration | $2,500/year |
Recommendation:
RAKEZ is the best choice for MOTO business.
Step 2: Company Registration
- Submission of documents:
- Owner's passport,
- Address confirmation,
- Business plan (description of the MOTO model).
- Obtaining a license:
- Тип: E-commerce / IT Services,
- Additionally: Payment Gateway Services (if you plan to process).
- Delivery time: 3–5 working days.
Step 3: Opening a bank account
- Banks: Emirates NBD, ADCB, RAKBANK,
- Requirements:
- Free zone license,
- Business plan,
- Proof of business activity (website, contracts).
- Duration: 7–14 days.
Step 4: Connecting a payment processor
| Processor | Conditions | Commission |
|---|
| On the wire | Requires a free zone license | 3.5% + $0.50 |
| Network International | Requires proof of business model | 3.0% + $0.30 |
| PayTabs | Suitable for MOTO | 2.9% + $0.30 |
Tip: Start with
Telda - they are the most lenient towards high-risk.
Part 3: Georgia – Step-by-Step Registration
Step 1: LLC Registration
- Submitting an application through www.napr.gov.ge,
- Documents:
- Owner's passport,
- Electronic signature (can be obtained online),
- Deadline: 1 working day,
- Price: 500 GEL (~$180).
Step 2: Obtaining a VAT number
- Required for working with EU clients,
- Registration via www.rs.ge,
- Duration: 3 days.
Step 3: Opening a bank account
- Banks: TBC Bank, Bank of Georgia,
- Requirements:
- Company Charter,
- VAT number,
- Proof of business (website, contracts).
- Duration: 5–7 days.
Step 4: Connecting the processor
| Processor | Conditions | Commission |
|---|
| Payze | Local processor, supports MOTO | 2.8% + €0.25 |
| Stripe (via EU entity) | Requires an EU company | 2.9% + €0.25 |
| PayPal Business | Limited MOTO | 3.5% + €0.35 |
Tip: Use
Payze - they provide manual entry for verified businesses.
Part 4: Requirements for a MOTO Business
To qualify for manual entry, your business
must meet:
Mandatory conditions:
- Client's explicit consent:
- Recording of a telephone conversation,
- Confirmation by email/SMS.
- Clear return policy:
- It is indicated on the website,
- Observed in 100% of cases.
- Proof of service:
- For field services - photo/signature of the client,
- For tourism - booking, confirmation.
What is prohibited:
- Entering data without the client's consent,
- PAN/CVV storage (tokens only!),
- Fictitious transactions.
Part 5: Comparison of the UAE vs. Georgia
| Parameter | UAE | Georgia |
|---|
| Registration cost | $2,000–$3,000 | $180 |
| Taxes | 0% | 15% |
| Registration deadline | 3-5 days | Day 1 |
| Access to processors | Telda, Network Intl | Payze, Stripe |
| Owner requirements | No physical presence | No physical presence |
| Reputation | High-risk friendly | EU-compliant |
Choice:
- UAE - If you are ready to invest $2k+ and need 0% tax,
- Georgia - if you want to start quickly and cheaply.
Conclusion: Manual entry is not a risk, but an opportunity
If you have a
legitimate MOTO business, the UAE and Georgia offer
legal pathways to manual entry functionality.
The key is
to operate within the law, comply with customer consent, and use
only trusted processors.
Final thought:
True freedom lies not in bending the rules, but in using them wisely.
Stay legal. Stay successful.
And remember:
in the world of payments, trust is currency.
