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Company Formation in Dubai & the UAE

Mainland, free zone and offshore company setup with every legal procedure, document and approval handled end to end.

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Choosing between a mainland licence, a free zone and an offshore structure is the single decision that shapes your tax position, your ability to trade locally, your visa quota and your banking options for years afterwards. Getting it wrong is expensive to unwind.

We start by understanding what your business actually does and where its customers are, then recommend the structure that fits — not the one that is quickest to sell. From there we handle name reservation, initial approval, memorandum drafting, licensing, establishment card, visa quota and corporate bank account introductions.

Foreign investors can now hold 100% ownership of mainland companies across most commercial and industrial activities, which has changed the calculation for many businesses that would previously have defaulted to a free zone. We will tell you plainly which side of that line your activity falls on.

What is included

  • Structure and jurisdiction adviceA clear comparison of mainland, free zone and offshore for your specific activity, customer base and visa requirements — with the cost and compliance implications of each.
  • Trade name and initial approvalName reservation with the relevant authority, activity selection against the official activity list, and initial approval submission.
  • Licensing and documentationMemorandum of association, lease or flexi-desk arrangement, shareholder documentation, attestation and notarisation, and the trade licence itself.
  • Establishment card and visasImmigration file opening, establishment card, and investor or employee residence visas including medical and Emirates ID processing.
  • Corporate bank account introductionBank selection based on your activity and expected turnover, application preparation, and introduction through our existing relationship managers.
  • Post-licence compliance setupCorporate tax and VAT registration where applicable, accounting setup, and a calendar of your ongoing filing obligations.

How it works

  1. Free consultationA focused conversation about your activity, ownership, customers and timeline. No cost, no commitment.
  2. Structure recommendationA written comparison of the viable jurisdictions with total first-year cost, ongoing cost and compliance load for each.
  3. Documentation and submissionWe prepare and file everything with the relevant authority, and chase approvals so you do not have to.
  4. Licence, visas and bankingTrade licence issued, immigration file opened, visas processed, and your corporate bank account application submitted.
Questions

Company Formation — frequently asked

How long does it take to set up a company in Dubai?
A straightforward free zone company is typically licensed within 3 to 7 working days once documents are complete. Mainland companies usually take 1 to 3 weeks depending on the activity and whether external approvals are required. Residence visas add roughly a further 1 to 2 weeks, and corporate bank account opening is the least predictable step at 2 to 8 weeks.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in the UAE?
Yes. Free zone companies have always allowed full foreign ownership, and since the 2021 amendments to the Commercial Companies Law, 100% foreign ownership is also permitted for most mainland commercial and industrial activities. A limited list of strategic-impact activities still requires Emirati participation. We confirm the position for your specific activity code before you commit.
What is the difference between mainland and free zone?
A mainland company can trade directly with the UAE domestic market and bid for government contracts, and is licensed by the emirate’s economic department. A free zone company operates within its zone, generally sells outside the UAE or to other free zone entities, and needs a distributor or a branch to sell into the local market. Free zones are often cheaper to establish and administer; mainland offers wider market access and, in practice, easier corporate banking.
How much does UAE company formation cost?
Cost varies considerably by emirate, free zone, activity and visa quota. Rather than quote a headline figure that later grows, we give you an itemised total for your chosen structure covering government fees, licence, establishment card, visas and our fee, so you can compare like for like.
Do I need to be in the UAE to set up my company?
For most free zones, no — formation can be completed remotely with attested documents and a power of attorney. You will normally need to travel for the residence visa medical and Emirates ID biometrics, and most banks require an in-person meeting before opening a corporate account.
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