BUSINESS SETUP IN THE UAE
A strong business starts
with the right foundation.
Your company structure affects how you trade, where you operate and what you need to comply with. We help you make an informed choice, then coordinate the steps to get established.
BUILT AROUND YOUR BUSINESS
Start with the business.
Then choose the licence.
A trading company, a professional consultancy and an international holding business have different needs.
We look at your proposed activities, customer locations, ownership, staffing, premises and tax position together. That gives you a practical basis for choosing between Dubai mainland and a free zone.
Our support covers activity and jurisdiction assessment, legal-form selection, trade-name and application coordination, incorporation documents and planning for banking, visas and ongoing compliance.
MAINLAND OR FREE ZONE
Compare what matters.
A starting point for your decision. Final requirements depend on your activity, company form and licensing authority.
| Consideration | Dubai mainland | UAE free zone |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing authority | Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), with other approvals where required. | The relevant free zone authority; additional sector approvals may apply. |
| Commercial focus | A direct UAE market presence, subject to the licensed activity and location requirements. | A free zone base for permitted activities and international business, with specific rules for mainland access. |
| Ownership | Full foreign ownership for many activities, subject to strategic-sector and other exceptions. | Full foreign ownership is generally available, subject to the selected legal form and rules. |
| Workspace | An appropriate registered business address and premises arrangement for the licence. | Options may include a flexi-desk, office, warehouse or industrial facility, depending on the free zone. |
| Mainland access | Operations must stay within the scope of the licence and any applicable local or sector permissions. | Check the permitted route: a distributor, mainland entity, branch, licence or permit may be needed. |
| Corporate tax | The applicable UAE Corporate Tax rules must be assessed; registration and filing can be required. | 0% treatment is conditional on Qualifying Free Zone Person status and Qualifying Income. Other income or entities can be taxable. |
| Visa planning | Eligibility and allocations depend on the entity, premises and applicable immigration requirements. | Visa allocations depend on the licence package, workspace and authority’s requirements. |
| Ongoing cost | Licence renewal, premises, immigration services, accounting, tax and any sector requirements. | Licence and facility renewals, visa-related costs, accounting, tax and applicable audit requirements. |
FROM IDEA TO INCORPORATION
We connect the steps.
We confirm the scope and expected sequence before an application starts. Timelines depend on documentation, authority approvals and third-party reviews.
Request a tailored proposal- 01
Understand & select
Confirm the activities, markets, shareholders and practical requirements; compare suitable jurisdictions.
- 02
Prepare & apply
Coordinate trade-name reservation, initial approvals, ownership documents and required application information.
- 03
Incorporate & license
Support signing, workspace documentation and licence issuance with the relevant authority.
- 04
Set up operations
Prepare the banking file and coordinate relevant immigration, tax and accounting steps.
- 05
Stay organised
Plan licence renewals, financial records, returns and recurring compliance responsibilities.
PLAN THE FULL PICTURE
What to prepare.
- Passport and identification details for shareholders and managers
- Proposed company names and a clear description of the activity
- Shareholding structure and ultimate beneficial owner information
- Proof of address and any business plan requested by the authority
- Corporate shareholder documents, with attestation or translation where required
UNDERSTAND YOUR INVESTMENT
What affects the cost.
We prepare an itemised proposal, with clarity on one-time charges, recurring costs and additional services.
- Authority registration and licence fees
- Business activity and external approvals
- Office, flexi-desk, warehouse or other premises
- Shareholders, establishment cards and visa requirements
- Document attestation, translation and professional fees
- Renewals, bookkeeping, tax compliance and audit requirements
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Business setup, explained.
Can a foreign investor own a Dubai mainland business?
How much does it cost to start a company?
Can I complete the process from outside the UAE?
Does a licence guarantee a bank account or residence visa?
Are offshore and free zone companies the same?
LET’S MOVE YOUR BUSINESS FORWARD
Your next chapter starts
with a conversation.
Tell us where you are today and where you want to go. We’ll help you work out the next step.