Company formation in Dubai and the UAE
Your free zone or mainland company, registered at a real Dubai office, with visa, bank and tax applications handled.
As of October 2026. Taxable income up to AED 375,000 is taxed at 0%. A free zone company can pay 0% on qualifying income, but only while it meets every condition. VAT registration is compulsory once taxable supplies and imports pass AED 375,000 over the previous 12 months, or are expected to within the next 30 days.
Why the UAE
Low corporate tax
0% on the first AED 375,000 of taxable income and 9% above it. Every company must still register and file a return.
No personal income tax
The UAE does not tax salaries or dividends paid to individuals. Another country may, if you are still tax resident there.
Residence through your company
A free zone or mainland company can sponsor your residence visa. We also help qualifying investors apply for 5-year Green or 10-year Golden visas.
A real office in Dubai
We arrange the flexi-desk or office your licence requires, and receive, scan and forward the company's mail.
Company types
Free zone company (FZ-LLC, FZCO or FZE)
Licensed by one free zone. It can be 100% foreign-owned and sponsor visas. Suits international and business-to-business work; mainland trading needs extra permission.
Minimum capital: Set by each free zone; some ask for proof that the capital was deposited
Mainland LLC
Licensed by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism to sell anywhere in the UAE, including to government. Up to 100% foreign-owned for most activities.
Minimum capital: No fixed legal minimum, but it must be enough for the business; some regulated activities have their own minimum
Standard offshore company (RAK ICC or JAFZA)
Holds shares or assets, or trades outside the UAE. It cannot trade in the UAE or sponsor visas, and must register for corporate tax.
Minimum capital: No fixed minimum stated by RAK ICC or JAFZA
From first call to a working company
A free zone licence usually takes 1 to 2 weeks once documents are complete; a mainland licence often takes several weeks. A bank account usually takes 2 to 8 weeks, longer when the owners live abroad, and you should plan at least one trip to the UAE.
Choose the licence
We match your activity, customers and visa needs to a free zone, mainland or offshore company.
Initial approval
With partner lawyers, we reserve the name and apply for initial approval. You sign the articles, often electronically.
Office and licence
We arrange the flexi-desk or office the licence needs, then the authority issues the trade licence.
Residence visa
We apply for your entry permit. You visit the UAE for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics.
Bank and tax
We prepare the bank file, join you at the bank meeting and handle corporate tax and VAT registration.
What we will ask you for
We ask each shareholder, director and manager for these. If a shareholder is a company, its documents must be notarised and attested (legalised for use in the UAE). You sign a power of attorney so that our team and partner lawyers can file for you, and we arrange official translations where needed.
- Passport copy for each shareholder, director and manager, valid for at least 6 months
- Proof of home address dated within the last 6 months, such as a utility bill or bank letter
- Your UAE visa and Emirates ID, if you already live in the UAE
- CV or professional profile of each founder
- Beneficial owner declaration for anyone who owns or controls 25% or more
- Business plan, source of funds and expected transactions, for the bank
- Passport photo and health insurance, for the residence visa
- For a shareholder that is a company: certificate of incorporation, certificate of good standing, articles and board resolution
UAE questions
Can a foreigner open a company in Dubai?
Yes. Company formation in Dubai is open to foreigners: you can own 100% of a free zone company, and of a mainland company for most activities. Registration can often be done remotely, with our team and partner lawyers filing under your power of attorney. You still need to be in the UAE for the residence visa, and banks usually ask to meet you in person.
What is the difference between a free zone, mainland and offshore company?
A free zone company is licensed by one free zone and suits international and business-to-business work. Trading directly on the mainland needs extra permission and can affect its 0% tax status. A mainland LLC can sell anywhere in the UAE, including to government. A standard offshore company holds shares or assets, or trades outside the UAE, and cannot sponsor visas. All three register for corporate tax.
Does a company in Dubai pay corporate tax?
Every UAE company is within corporate tax, though many owe nothing. The rate is 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above. Companies whose revenue has never exceeded AED 3 million can elect Small Business Relief for tax periods ending by 31 December 2029, unless they are qualifying free zone companies. A new company must register with the tax authority within three months and file yearly returns.
Is a Dubai free zone company tax-free?
No. A qualifying free zone company pays 0% only on qualifying income and 9% on other taxable income, with no 0% band on the first AED 375,000. It must keep adequate substance in the zone, audited accounts and transfer pricing records, and its non-qualifying revenue must not exceed 5% of revenue or AED 5 million, whichever is lower. Sales to individuals generally do not qualify.
Can I get a UAE residence visa through my company?
Yes, through a free zone or mainland company; a standard offshore company cannot sponsor visas. You need a medical fitness test, health insurance and Emirates ID biometrics taken in person. Investors who meet set thresholds can apply for a 5-year Green visa (in Dubai, with a paid-up share of at least AED 1 million) or a 10-year Golden visa, for example with AED 2 million invested in a company. We help with Green and Golden visa applications too.
How long does it take to open a business bank account in the UAE?
Usually 2 to 8 weeks, with at least one meeting in person, and longer when the owners live abroad. Since 13 September 2026, Central Bank rules require banks to open accounts for low-risk SMEs within three business days of a complete application, but banks can take longer for financial crime checks and may limit transactions at first. No one can guarantee approval, so we prepare a complete file with you, and a member of our team joins you at the bank meeting.
Do I need an office in Dubai to set up a company?
Yes, for a free zone or mainland company. A free zone company needs a flexi-desk (a shared desk) or an office in its zone, and a mainland company needs a registered lease. We arrange the one your licence requires, and we receive, scan and forward the company's mail. In some free zones, the office size sets how many visas you can get. An offshore company uses its registered agent's address.
Do you handle licence renewals, visa renewals and audits?
Yes. We arrange the yearly trade licence renewal, residence visa renewals and the audited accounts that every qualifying free zone company needs, and that other companies need once revenue passes AED 50 million. We work with local accountants and auditors, so your company stays in good standing with one point of contact.
Sources: UAE Ministry of Finance: corporate tax threshold, Federal Tax Authority: free zone persons and corporate tax, UAE Government portal: taxation (VAT and personal income tax), Central Bank of the UAE: SME Customer Protection Regulation.
Set up your Dubai company with us
Book a call. We will recommend a free zone or mainland licence for your activity and send a written quote.