From the first consultation to the day you're fully operational — and every renewal after — one team carries it end to end. Scroll to walk the journey.
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Answers
Frequently asked questions
Setting up in the UAE raises the same questions again and again. Here are ours, in plain language.
Four decisions drive everything else: your activity, your jurisdiction (mainland, free zone or offshore), your legal form, and how many visas you need. Once those are settled, the sequence is name reservation, initial approval, documentation and licence issue, then establishment card, visas and the bank account.
Most founders get stuck on the first decision rather than the paperwork. That is the part we do with you in a short consultation, before any money is spent.
There is no single answer — the right activity is the one you can already sell. That said, consultancy and professional services, trading and import/export, e-commerce, logistics, IT and software, and food and beverage are the categories we set up most often.
What matters more than the sector is matching your activity to an authority that licenses it cleanly. A licence that nearly fits your business causes problems at the bank and at renewal.
A straightforward free zone company is often issued within a few working days once approvals and KYC line up. Mainland formation typically takes longer because of external approvals and the tenancy requirement, and regulated activities (finance, healthcare, education) take longer again.
Document readiness is usually the variable, not the authority. We give you a realistic timeline up front rather than a best case.
100% foreign ownership in most activities, no personal income tax, full repatriation of profits, a corporate tax regime that starts at 0% below the threshold, residence visas for you and your family, and a location inside a day's flight of most of Europe, Africa and Asia.
Practically, it also means real banking infrastructure and a legal system built for international business.
Yes. Foreign nationals can own 100% of a free zone company, and since the Commercial Companies Law was amended, 100% of a mainland company across most commercial and industrial activities. A short list of strategic activities still requires Emirati participation.
You do not need to be resident to own a company — residency usually follows the licence rather than preceding it.
Your company sponsors it. Once the licence and establishment card are issued, you apply as owner or partner: entry permit, status change, medical, Emirates ID biometrics, then stamping. It generally runs two to three weeks after the licence is out.
The visa is tied to the company, so it renews with the licence and lets you sponsor your spouse and children.
Work backwards from your customers. Selling to UAE consumers or government, or importing under your own customs code, points to mainland. Serving clients overseas, or trading in and out of the region, usually works on a free zone licence — and the specific free zone should match your industry.
Cost matters, but the wrong jurisdiction is far more expensive than the difference in licence fees.
On the mainland, yes in most cases — you need a tenancy registered with Ejari, and the size of the premises affects how many visas you can sponsor. In the free zones a flexi-desk or shared desk package is usually sufficient for a small company, with a visa quota attached.
If you need more visas than the package carries, the office is the thing you upgrade.
You will need the licence, memorandum, shareholder passports and Emirates ID or visa, plus proof of the business itself — contracts, invoices, a website, a business plan and the source of funds. UAE banks apply full KYC and will ask about your customers and suppliers.
Most rejections come from a thin file or a mismatch between the licensed activity and what the account will actually be used for. Preparing that properly is the difference between weeks and months.
The Golden Visa is a long-term residence permit — typically ten years — granted to investors, entrepreneurs, specialised talent, senior professionals and outstanding students. A standard investor or employment visa is shorter and tied to your company or employer.
The practical difference is independence: a Golden Visa is not linked to a single employer, and it does not lapse if you spend extended periods outside the UAE.
In a free zone, always. On the mainland, yes for the large majority of commercial and industrial activities following the ownership reforms. A defined list of strategic-impact activities still requires an Emirati partner or agent.
We check your specific activity against the current list before you commit to a structure.
A mainland company is licensed by the emirate's economic department and can trade directly anywhere in the UAE, including with government. A free zone company is licensed by its own authority, gives 100% ownership and a simpler setup, but is designed for business outside the local market or through a distributor.
Tax, visa quotas, office requirements and customs treatment all differ. It is the single most consequential choice you make.
It depends on the authority, the activity and the visa quota, so any single figure quoted without those is guesswork. Government charges for a small professional licence commonly land in the low tens of thousands of dirhams a year once establishment card and visa costs are included.
We quote our service fee separately from government charges and share the receipts, so you can see exactly which part is ours and which is the authority's.
PRO stands for Public Relations Officer — the person who deals with government departments on your behalf. In practice it covers visa processing, Emirates ID, labour and immigration files, document attestation, translations and licence renewals.
It is the recurring administrative work of holding a UAE company, and it is why most founders outsource it rather than staffing it.
UAE corporate tax applies at 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it. Registration is required even if you fall under the threshold, and returns are filed annually.
Qualifying free zone companies can retain a 0% rate on qualifying income if they meet the substance and activity conditions. Small Business Relief may also apply below a revenue ceiling. Which of these fits you is worth confirming before your first financial year closes.
A company licensed by the economic department of the emirate it sits in — the DED in Dubai — rather than by a free zone authority. It can trade directly with customers anywhere in the UAE, hold its own customs code, and bid for government work.
Yes. That is its defining advantage: no territorial restriction, no distributor required, and no limit on who your customers can be. You can open branches in other emirates and sell to government entities.
For most commercial and industrial activities, no — 100% foreign ownership is permitted. A limited list of strategic activities still requires an Emirati partner, and professional licences of certain kinds may require a local service agent, who holds no equity and takes no share of profit.
Commercial (trading), professional (services and consultancy), industrial (manufacturing) and tourism. The activity you choose determines the licence, the approvals you need, and in some cases the legal form the company must take.
Yes in most cases. Mainland licensing requires a tenancy contract registered through Ejari, and the size of the space is what sets your visa quota — broadly, more square metres, more visas.
It is driven by your office space rather than a fixed allowance. A small office supports a handful of visas; scaling headcount means scaling premises. We size the office to the hiring plan rather than the other way round.
Yes — government and semi-government tenders are generally open to mainland entities and closed to free zone companies. If public sector work is part of your plan, that alone usually settles the jurisdiction question.
A limited liability company is the most common mainland form. It can have between one and fifty shareholders — a single-owner LLC is permitted — and liability is limited to each shareholder's stake in the capital.
A sole establishment is owned by one natural person and does not separate that person from the business — liability is unlimited. An LLC is a separate legal entity with limited liability, which is why we recommend it for anything carrying real commercial risk.
Yes. A branch carries the parent company's name and activities, is fully owned by it, and has no separate share capital. It is a good fit for established businesses extending into the UAE rather than starting fresh, though it generally requires a local service agent and attested parent documents.
Longer than a free zone, largely because of the tenancy and any external approvals your activity attracts. Once the Ejari is in place and approvals are clear, licence issue itself is quick. We sequence the tenancy early for that reason.
Licence renewal, tenancy renewal and Ejari, establishment card, and visa renewals as they fall due. It is a recurring cost, not a one-off, and it is the figure most often left out of a headline setup quote.
We put the renewal numbers in front of you at the start, so year two is not a surprise.
Yes — 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it, with registration required regardless. Mainland companies do not have access to the qualifying free zone 0% regime, so the threshold is what matters for most small companies.
Yes. The company sponsors employment visas through its establishment card and labour file, subject to the visa quota its premises support. We handle the labour file, quota applications and the visa run for each hire.
A company licensed by one of the UAE's free zone authorities rather than by an emirate's economic department. Free zones offer 100% foreign ownership, a faster and more standardised setup, and packages that bundle the licence, a desk and a visa quota.
More than forty, spread across all seven emirates, and they are not interchangeable. Each is built around particular industries and has its own authority, rules, costs and reputation with the banks.
Match the zone to your industry. DIFC and ADGM are financial centres with their own legal frameworks. JAFZA, DAFZA, Hamriyah, SAIF and Fujairah sit next to ports and airports for import and export. DIC, DSO and DMCC serve technology, media and commodities.
Cheapest is rarely the right filter — bank acceptance and activity fit matter far more than a few thousand dirhams on the licence.
Not directly, as a rule. Selling into the local market normally means appointing a mainland distributor, opening a mainland branch, or holding the relevant permit. Rules have been loosening, and some zones and activities now have routes that did not exist a few years ago.
If the UAE domestic market is your main market, mainland is usually the cleaner answer.
A qualifying free zone person can retain 0% on qualifying income, but it is conditional — adequate substance in the zone, qualifying activities, transfer pricing compliance, and staying within the de minimis limits on non-qualifying revenue. Non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%.
It is not automatic simply because the licence is a free zone licence. This is worth getting checked.
A flexi-desk is a shared or hot-desk allocation inside the free zone that satisfies the physical presence requirement for licensing. For a small consultancy or trading company it is usually sufficient, and it comes with a small visa quota.
It becomes insufficient when you need more visas or when a bank wants to see genuine operating substance.
Typically one to three on an entry-level package, tied to the desk or office you take. Larger offices carry larger quotas. If your hiring plan is known, size the package for it at the outset — upgrading mid-term costs more than starting correctly.
They are naming conventions used by different authorities for the same broad idea — a limited liability entity inside a free zone. Historically FZE denoted a single shareholder and FZCO two or more, though usage varies by zone.
The label matters much less than the zone's rules on activities, visas and capital.
Often yes — many zones accept remote incorporation with attested documents and a digital signature. You will normally still need to enter the UAE for the medical and Emirates ID biometrics if you are taking a residence visa, and most banks require the signatory in person.
An offshore company is a non-resident vehicle used for holding assets, international trade and structuring. It does not come with a UAE residence visa or an office, and it cannot trade inside the UAE.
It is a useful holding structure, not a substitute for an operating licence.
Yes, though the diligence is the same as for any UAE company and some zones carry more weight with banks than others. Expect questions on your activity, counterparties, expected turnover and source of funds.
We factor bank acceptance into the choice of zone rather than treating the account as a separate problem afterwards.
Frequently a matter of days once name approval, shareholder documents and KYC are in order. Delays almost always trace back to attestation or missing documents rather than the authority itself.
You have three routes: open a mainland branch of the free zone company, incorporate a new mainland entity, or in some cases migrate the entity. Each has different consequences for your licence history, bank account and visas.
It is a normal step as a business grows into the local market, and it is much simpler when the original structure was chosen with it in mind.
Government rules, fees and thresholds in the UAE change. Treat this as a practical overview, not legal or tax advice — confirm the detail with us before you commit.
Free consultation
15 minutes, on us.
Tell us where you are and where you want to be — we’ll map the rest.
02Professional licenceFor service based businesses.
03Industrial licenceFor manufacturing.
04Tourism licenceFor travel and tours.
05Agricultural licenceFor agriculture and produce.
06Virtual assets licenceFor crypto and digital assets.
Where & how to start
A three step path, made seamless
01
15 minute consultation
We review your requirements and advise on the activities and compliance your business needs.
02
Company type & activities
Freezone vs mainland, LLC vs FZ, sole proprietor vs freelancer. We advise on the right authority and location.
03
Licence process
We formally engage in the proceedings to issue your business licence end to end.
Business zones
Choose your ideal business structure
Each structure has its own advantages. Our experts match you to the right jurisdiction for your model and goals.
Mainland
Mainland Company
Full access to the UAE market, government contracts and unlimited business activities across all seven Emirates.
Trade anywhere in the UAE
No restrictions on clients
Eligible for government tenders
Local office or physical presence
100% foreign ownership (most sectors)
Free zone
Free Zone Company
100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax and full repatriation of profits in a specialised business ecosystem.
100% foreign ownership
Zero corporate & income tax
Full profit repatriation
40+ specialised zones
Streamlined setup process
Offshore
Offshore Company
Ideal for international trading, asset protection and holding structures with maximum privacy and flexibility.
Maximum confidentiality
Asset protection structure
International trade vehicle
No annual audit required
Cost-efficient to maintain
Industries we set up
Built for your specific model
—Consultancy & professional services
—Technical services
—Cafes, restaurants & food trucks
—Accounting, audit & taxation
—Investment & advisory
—Advertising & marketing
—Transport & commercial cargo
—Trading, retail & eCommerce
—Engineering & project management
—Manufacturing
—Shipping & related services
—Freelancers & influencers
—Crypto, blockchain & digital assets
—Events & catering
—Gym, health & fitness
—Entertainment & hospitality
Become a Why the UAE founder.?
01
Tax incentives & free zones
Zero corporate tax across 40+ specialised free zones, with full repatriation of profits.
02
Brand value & global reach
A world-class address that opens doors across the Gulf and international markets.
03
Political & economic stability
A safe, AAA-stable base built for long-term growth and confidence.
04
Crypto-friendly market zones
Dedicated virtual-asset regimes (VARA, ADGM) purpose-built for Web3 businesses.
05
Fair, fast & active judiciary
Independent common-law courts (DIFC, ADGM) that resolve matters quickly.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
Once your activity, jurisdiction and documents are settled, a straightforward free zone licence is often issued within a few working days. Mainland takes longer because of the tenancy requirement and any external approvals your activity attracts.
The variable is almost always document readiness, not the authority. We give you a realistic date up front rather than a best case.
Usually not for the incorporation itself — many authorities accept remote formation with attested documents and a digital signature. You will normally need to enter the country for the medical and Emirates ID biometrics if you are taking a residence visa, and most banks want the signatory in person.
Yes. Activities can be added or amended on an existing licence, though the cost and the approvals involved depend on the authority and on whether the new activity is regulated. Some combinations are not permitted on one licence.
It is worth naming the activities you expect to grow into at the outset — it is cheaper than amending later.
The licence renews annually, alongside the tenancy or desk agreement, the establishment card and any residence visas as they fall due. Miss the date and fines accrue, so we track the calendar and start the paperwork before it matters.
For most commercial and industrial activities, no — 100% foreign ownership is permitted on the mainland and always in a free zone. A short list of strategic activities still requires an Emirati partner, and certain professional licences need a local service agent, who holds no equity and takes no share of profit.
Government rules, fees and thresholds in the UAE change. Treat this as a practical overview, not legal or tax advice — confirm the detail with us before you commit.
Financial controlling
Accounting that doubles as a control system.
Professional accounting, tax planning and the financial consultation that keeps you compliant and in control, month after month.
Mainland and free zone entities, inactive businesses, single shareholder companies, freelancers and firms eligible for exemptions. We cover the lot.
—Accounting & bookkeeping
—CFO outsource
—Payroll & WPS management
—Accounting staff hiring
—Financial reporting & management
—Budgeting & forecasting
—Business planning
—Business / asset valuations
—Forensic accounting
—Cost control & management
—Business & management consultancy
Your three step tax approach
Compliance, without the scramble
A package tailored to your business, a clear three step approach, and honest guidance on when Corpora fits — and when it does not.
—Value Added Tax (VAT)
—Corporate Tax (CT)
—Excise Tax (ET)
—Financial reporting, monthly
—Payroll & WPS, automated
VAT registration & filing, handled end to end
Once your taxable turnover passes the mandatory threshold, VAT registration stops being optional. We register you with the Federal Tax Authority, set up compliant invoicing, and file your returns on schedule — so input credits are claimed, deadlines are met, and penalties never appear. Voluntary registration below the threshold can also make sense when your clients are VAT-registered businesses; we will tell you honestly which side of that line you sit on.
Corporate tax without the scramble
Every UAE company now lives inside the corporate tax regime — registration, adequate books, and an annual return filed within nine months of year end. Free zone companies carry extra conditions to keep qualifying income at 0%. Our monthly closing keeps you audit-ready year-round, so the filing season is an administrative step, not a crisis. New to the regime? Start with our plain-English UAE corporate tax guide.
Bookkeeping that stands up to scrutiny
Banks, auditors, free zone authorities and the FTA all ask the same thing: show us the records. We maintain your ledgers to IFRS standards, reconcile monthly against your bank, run payroll through WPS, and hand you management accounts you can actually read — revenue, margin, runway. Businesses across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah run on our stack, from single-founder consultancies to trading companies with inventory.
Who this is for
Mainland and free zone entities, holding companies, freelancers on permits, and companies that have fallen behind and need their books rebuilt before an audit or a bank review. If your accounting is a shoebox of invoices, that is a normal starting point — bring the shoebox.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
Yes — registration is required whether or not you end up paying anything. The rate is 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it, and returns are filed annually.
Qualifying free zone companies can hold a 0% rate on qualifying income, but only if the substance and activity conditions are met. That is worth confirming before your first financial year closes, not after.
Registration is mandatory once your taxable turnover passes the statutory threshold over a rolling twelve months, and voluntary registration is available below it. Once registered you file returns on the schedule the FTA sets for you.
Voluntary registration is sometimes worth it — mainly when your customers are themselves registered and you are carrying input VAT.
It depends on your licence and jurisdiction. Several free zones require an audit at renewal, some mainland structures require one, and banks and investors often ask regardless. Where an audit is not required, proper accounts still are.
Invoices, contracts, bank statements, payroll and supporting ledgers — retained for the period UAE tax law prescribes, which runs to several years past the relevant filing. Records must be capable of supporting every figure you file.
This is the part most companies get wrong in year one, and it is the expensive kind of wrong.
Yes, and it is common. We reconcile the position as at handover, identify anything outstanding with the FTA, and carry on from there. The earlier in the year it happens the less reconstruction is involved.
Government rules, fees and thresholds in the UAE change. Treat this as a practical overview, not legal or tax advice — confirm the detail with us before you commit.
Corporate services
From your first bank account to public relations.
The corporate scaffolding behind a serious company — banking, trademarks, visas and the deals in between.
01Mergers & acquisitionsStructure, diligence and execution on M&A.
02Company liquidationWind down cleanly and compliantly.
03Business valuationsKnow what your business and assets are worth.
04Management consultingOperational and strategic guidance.
05Business advisorySounding board for the hard calls.
06PRO servicesUAE residency visas, golden visas and PRO support.
Corporate bank account opening
The account is where new UAE companies stall — strict KYC, risk-appetite mismatches, silent rejections. We prepare your file the way compliance teams want to read it, match your profile to banks that actually approve your activity, and manage the process to a working IBAN. Traditional or digital-first, mainland or free zone. The full playbook is in our UAE business banking guide.
PRO services & government liaison
Every stamp, renewal and attestation the UAE asks of a company — establishment cards, licence renewals, immigration files, labour quotas, document clearing across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah authorities — handled by our in-house PRO team, with receipts shared and no "typing office" markups. You see exactly what government charged and what we did.
Residency & Golden Visas
Investor visas through your own company, employee visas against your quota, family sponsorship, and 10-year Golden Visas for those who qualify by investment, property or talent. We run the full pipeline — entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, stamping — and diarise every renewal so nothing lapses.
Trademarks, IP & the deals in between
Register your trademark before someone else does; protect the name you are building. Alongside IP, our corporate desk covers valuations, restructuring, M&A support and clean liquidations — the unglamorous paperwork that decides whether a deal closes smoothly or unravels.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
Weeks rather than days, and the range is wide — the bank's compliance queue, your structure and the completeness of your file all move it. A well-prepared application at a bank suited to your business is the single biggest lever on that timeline.
Most often a thin file, a mismatch between the licensed activity and what the account will actually be used for, an unclear ownership chain, or counterparties in jurisdictions the bank avoids. Rejections are rarely about the business being unsound.
We build the file to answer those questions before they are asked, and we match you to a bank that already serves businesses like yours.
It is set by your premises rather than a flat allowance. A free zone desk package typically carries one to three; on the mainland the quota scales with the size of the office on your Ejari. If you know the hiring plan, size the space for it at the outset.
An investor or partner visa is sponsored by your own company and renews with the licence. The Golden Visa is a long-term permit, typically ten years, granted on your own standing as an investor, entrepreneur or specialised professional.
The practical difference is independence: the Golden Visa is not tied to a single company and does not lapse if you spend long periods outside the UAE.
Yes — search, filing, publication and certificate, in the UAE and through to GCC and international filings where you need them. Worth doing early: the register is first to file, not first to use.
Government rules, fees and thresholds in the UAE change. Treat this as a practical overview, not legal or tax advice — confirm the detail with us before you commit.
About Corpora
Built on trust, not advertising.
Our story
Corpora was not built overnight. It started with one simple idea: business services should be transparent, hassle free and fairly priced.
While others leaned on heavy marketing and hidden fees, we focused on results. Clients valued the honesty, and referrals became the backbone of the business. We still grow the same way, through word of mouth.
Our philosophy
We believe in clarity, trust and fairness. That is why we separate our service fees from government charges, so you get complete transparency with no inflated costs.
One word sums it up: transparency. Where we can, government fees are settled by you directly. Otherwise we share every receipt. The days of keeping clients in the dark are over.
Corpora is the Clear Way
(Because we literally share every receipt.)
Yes, plenty of agents can register a company. No, most won't tell you where your money goes. Corpora keeps our fee separate from government charges and hands you every receipt — a promise the shortcuts simply can't make.
Today, founders still lose weeks to forms, queues and follow-ups. We built Corpora to erase that busywork — so your energy goes into the company, not the paperwork. Because we've launched businesses too.
“Corpora made our Dubai expansion remarkably seamless. From free zone selection to a live bank account, everything was handled professionally in under two weeks.”
Sarah KimaniCEO, Lumina Brands · Nairobi
AM
in record time
“Their knowledge of UAE regulations is unmatched. They saved us from costly mistakes and had our trade licence issued in record time. Highly recommended.”
Ahmad MansourFounder, Apex Trading · Beirut
RP
within 10 days
“Setting up in Dubai seemed overwhelming until we found Corpora. One call and everything was clear — within 10 days we were fully operational. Exceptional service.”
Rahul PatelDirector, Finvolt Holdings · Mumbai
Our X factor
Why clients stay, and send their friends
01Referral drivenTrusted by businesses for over a decade, without ads.
02Clear, honest pricingYou only pay for what you need, with a full cost breakdown.
03Expert guidancePersonalised support from experienced professionals.
Tell us what you’re building — a specialist reviews it and comes back with the right structure, licence and an all-in quote. Free, and with zero obligation.
Talk to a specialist
Fastest on WhatsApp — or book the free 15-minute call and we’ll map your options live.
Corpora is a private advisory firm, not a government entity. All official approvals are issued by the relevant UAE authorities; government fees are paid to them directly and every receipt is shared.
Free 15-minute consultation · no obligation, no spam · reply within one business day.
Opening a company in the UAE is more straightforward than most founders expect — the difficulty is in the decisions, not the paperwork. Get the activity, jurisdiction and structure right at the start and the rest is administration. Here is the path we walk every client through.
1. Define your business activity
Everything flows from your activity — the specific commercial actions your company is licensed to perform (trading, consultancy, software, e-commerce, restaurant, and so on). The UAE licenses hundreds of activities, and your choice decides which authorities you can register with, whether you need external approvals, and how many visas you can hold.
2. Choose free zone, mainland or offshore
This is the biggest decision:
Free zone — 100% foreign ownership, fast setup, and (for qualifying income) 0% corporate tax. Best for services, holding, trading outside the UAE and e-commerce.
Mainland — licensed by the emirate’s Department of Economy. Lets you trade directly in the local UAE market and take government contracts.
Offshore — for holding assets, international trade and privacy; not for operating inside the UAE or obtaining residence visas.
3. Pick your legal structure and name
Most new companies register as an LLC (mainland) or an FZ-LLC / FZE / FZCO (free zone). You’ll then reserve a trade name that follows the UAE naming rules — no offensive or religious terms, and initials only if they match a real person’s full name.
4. Submit documents and apply for the licence
Typical documents are passport copies of the shareholders, a passport photo, and sometimes a business plan or proof of address. The authority issues an initial approval, you sign the incorporation documents (often remotely), and the trade licence is issued. Many free-zone licences are issued within a few working days once KYC clears.
5. Apply for visas
Your licence comes with a visa quota. Each investor or employee visa runs through entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID and visa stamping. This is also what lets you sponsor family members.
6. Open a corporate bank account
The final step — and the one that trips people up. UAE banks run strict KYC and want to understand your activity, source of funds and expected flows. A clean, well-documented file makes the difference between an account in two weeks and one in two months.
How long does it take?
With clean documents, a typical free zone incorporation runs on this clock:
Day 1–2: activity selection, name reservation and initial approval
Day 3–7: KYC clearance, signing, and trade licence issued
Week 2–3: establishment card, entry permit, medical, Emirates ID
Week 3–8: corporate bank account, depending on your profile and bank
Mainland timelines are similar for simple activities; anything needing external approvals (healthcare, education, food, financial services) adds time.
The documents you will actually need
Colour passport copies for every shareholder and director
Passport-size photo on a white background
UAE entry stamp or visa page copy, where applicable
Proof of residential address, if the authority or bank requests it
A short business plan or activity description for regulated activities and for the bank account
Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah?
The UAE is seven emirates, and where you register changes cost and positioning. Dubai offers the deepest market and the most free zones. Abu Dhabi is home to ADGM, a common-law financial centre, and offers strong incentives for industrial and tech businesses. Sharjah — including SPC Free Zone and SHAMS — is often the most cost-effective entry point for publishers, media and e-commerce. The right emirate follows your customers and your budget, not habit.
Five mistakes founders make
Choosing an activity that does not match what they actually invoice for
Buying the cheapest licence, then discovering it cannot get a bank account approved
Signing an office lease before the licence type is settled
Frequently asked questions
Can I open a company in the UAE without visiting?
In many free zones, yes — incorporation and even some banking steps can be completed remotely. Your residence visa, if you want one, requires you to enter the UAE for biometrics and the medical test.
Do I need a local sponsor?
No. Free zones have always allowed 100% foreign ownership, and most mainland activities now do as well. See our full free zone vs mainland comparison.
What is the minimum share capital?
Most free zones require no paid-up capital to be deposited for standard activities; the amount stated on the licence is declarative. Regulated activities are the exception.
Government rules, fees and thresholds in the UAE change. Treat this as a practical overview, not legal or tax advice — confirm the current position for your activity with Corpora or the relevant authority before you act.
Ready to set up in the UAE?
Book a free 15-minute consultation — we’ll map the right structure, licence and costs for your business.
Free Zone vs Mainland in the UAE: Which Is Right for You?
Updated July 2026 · 6 min read
“Free zone or mainland?” is the first real question every founder faces in the UAE. Both give you a legitimate, fully-owned company — they differ in where you can trade and what it costs.
Ownership
Both now allow 100% foreign ownership for the vast majority of activities. The old mandatory local-sponsor rule for mainland companies was removed for most sectors, so ownership is rarely the deciding factor anymore.
Market access — the real difference
Mainland can trade directly with the UAE domestic market and bid for government contracts.
Free zone companies operate within their zone and internationally; to sell into the UAE mainland they typically work through a distributor or open a mainland branch.
Corporate tax
Both are inside the UAE corporate tax regime, but a Qualifying Free Zone Person can access a 0% rate on qualifying income if it meets the conditions (adequate substance, qualifying activities, transfer-pricing rules). Mainland profit above the threshold is taxed at the standard rate.
Cost and setup speed
Free zones are usually faster and offer packaged pricing (licence + visas + flexi-desk). Mainland cost varies with activity and office requirements. For many first-time founders a free zone is the cheaper, quicker entry point.
A simple rule
Selling to UAE consumers, retail, or chasing government work → mainland.
Services, consulting, holding, e-commerce or international trade → free zone.
The honest answer depends on your customers and your numbers — which is exactly what a short consultation settles.
Cost in practice
Free zone packages bundle licence, flexi-desk and visa quota into one predictable annual fee, which is why they suit first entities. Mainland adds the Department of Economy licence, external approvals where relevant, and usually a physical office with an Ejari tenancy. Over three years the gap narrows — renewals, visas and accounting are broadly comparable — so decide on market access, then check the real cost breakdown.
Visas and office requirements
Free zone visa quotas scale with the workspace you rent: a flexi-desk typically supports a small quota, a private office more. Mainland quotas are tied to office size approved by the ministry. Either way, every visa follows the same government pipeline described in our step-by-step setup guide.
Popular zones by industry
Trading & commodities: DMCC (Dubai), JAFZA next to Jebel Ali port
Finance & funds: DIFC (Dubai) and ADGM (Abu Dhabi) — common-law courts, top-tier credibility
Tech & startups: Dubai Internet City, in5, Abu Dhabi's Hub71 ecosystem
Media & creators: Dubai Media City, SHAMS (Sharjah)
Cost-effective generalists: IFZA, SPC Free Zone (Sharjah), RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah)
Can you switch later?
Yes — companies migrate both directions. A free zone company that outgrows distributor arrangements can open a mainland branch or incorporate a sister LLC; a mainland company can add a free zone entity for international invoicing. Structure follows strategy, and restructuring is routine work — but starting right avoids paying twice.
Frequently asked questions
Can a free zone company sell in Dubai Mall?
Not directly. Onshore retail requires a mainland licence or a local commercial agent; many brands run a free zone HQ plus a mainland trading arm.
Is mainland more prestigious with banks?
Banks care more about substance, activity clarity and flows than jurisdiction. A well-documented free zone company opens accounts smoothly — see our banking guide.
Which is better for corporate tax?
A qualifying free zone company can keep 0% on qualifying income; mainland profit above the threshold is taxed at 9%. The detail matters — read the corporate tax guide.
Government rules, fees and thresholds in the UAE change. Treat this as a practical overview, not legal or tax advice — confirm the current position for your activity with Corpora or the relevant authority before you act.
Ready to set up in the UAE?
Book a free 15-minute consultation — we’ll map the right structure, licence and costs for your business.
“How much does it cost to set up in Dubai?” has no single answer — but it does have an honest breakdown. Here is where the money actually goes, so there are no surprises.
The trade licence
Your biggest one-off cost. Free-zone packages commonly start in the low thousands of dirhams for a service licence with no visa, rising with the number of visas and the zone’s prestige. Mainland licence cost depends on activity and any external approvals.
Visas
Each visa carries government fees for the entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and stamping, plus an establishment card for the company. Budget per visa, and remember visas renew every 1–3 years.
Office or desk
Free zones offer flexi-desk or virtual-office options that satisfy the licence at low cost. Mainland and larger visa quotas may require a physical office with a tenancy contract (Ejari).
Bank account and deposits
Opening the account is usually free, but many banks expect a minimum balance; falling below it triggers monthly charges. Factor this into working capital.
The recurring costs most people forget
Annual licence renewal — roughly comparable to the first-year licence.
Visa renewals every few years.
Accounting, VAT filing and corporate-tax registration.
Office/desk renewal.
Where Corpora is different
We separate our service fee from the government charges and share every receipt, so you can see exactly what is a real cost and what is our work. No inflated bundles, no hidden markup.
Three example budgets
Solo consultant (free zone, no visa): a service licence with flexi-desk at the entry tier, no visa costs, minimal accounting. The leanest legitimate presence in the UAE.
Founder with residence visa: licence + one investor visa + Emirates ID and medical + establishment card, plus a modest accounting retainer once trading starts.
Trading company, team of five: higher-tier licence with office, five visas, import/export code, VAT registration once past the threshold, and monthly bookkeeping. Budget for deposits and working capital the bank expects to see.
Dubai vs Abu Dhabi vs Sharjah
Like-for-like, Sharjah zones (SPC, SHAMS) and northern-emirate zones (RAKEZ, Fujairah) usually undercut Dubai entry pricing; Abu Dhabi sits between, with strong incentives for priority sectors; Dubai commands a premium for DMCC and DIFC addresses that pays back in credibility for client-facing businesses. The cheapest licence that cannot open a bank account is the most expensive licence you can buy.
How to keep costs down — legitimately
Match the visa quota to the next 12 months, not the five-year dream
Start on a flexi-desk; upgrade the office when hiring forces it
Choose activities in one licence group to avoid multiple licences
Pay government fees directly where possible — at Corpora that is the default, with every receipt shared
Bundle accounting and renewals into a fixed annual plan instead of surprise invoices
Frequently asked questions
Are there really AED 5,750 licences?
Entry-tier zero-visa licences at that level exist in several zones. They are real, but add visas, a desk and banking support and the first-year total lands meaningfully higher — which is why we quote all-in from day one.
What is the single most underestimated cost?
Renewals. Year two arrives fast, and licence + visa + desk renewals repeat most of year one's government fees. Our setup guide covers the full cycle.
Does Corpora charge a markup on government fees?
No. Service fee and government charges are separated on every quote, and receipts are shared. That is the core of how we work.
Government rules, fees and thresholds in the UAE change. Treat this as a practical overview, not legal or tax advice — confirm the current position for your activity with Corpora or the relevant authority before you act.
Ready to set up in the UAE?
Book a free 15-minute consultation — we’ll map the right structure, licence and costs for your business.
The corporate bank account is the last step of setup and the one that causes the most frustration. UAE banks sit under strict compliance rules, so they scrutinise new companies carefully. Come prepared and it is smooth; improvise and it drags.
Why the KYC is strict
UAE banks must satisfy anti-money-laundering and “know your customer” obligations. They want to understand who owns the company, what it really does, where the money comes from and where it will flow.
What you’ll need
Trade licence, incorporation documents and share certificate
Passports and Emirates IDs of shareholders and signatories
A clear description of your activity and expected transactions
Proof of business — contracts, invoices, a website, or a business plan
Sometimes personal bank statements showing source of funds
Common reasons applications stall
Vague or mismatched business activity
No demonstrable UAE substance or local presence
High-risk activity or jurisdiction without extra documentation
Incomplete KYC on beneficial owners
How to get approved faster
Match your activity to a bank that is comfortable with it, prepare a tidy document pack, and tell a clear, consistent story about your business. Choosing the right bank for your profile is half the battle — and where an introduction from an established firm helps.
Choosing the right bank
Traditional banks (Emirates NBD, FAB, Mashreq, ADCB) offer full facilities — cards, trade finance, multi-currency — with stricter onboarding and minimum balances. Digital-first providers (such as Wio or Mashreq NeoBiz) onboard new SMEs faster with lower balances and app-based banking. Many companies run both: a digital account to start trading within weeks, a traditional account as flows grow.
Realistic timelines
Digital providers: often 1–3 weeks for straightforward profiles
Traditional banks: 2–6 weeks, longer for high-risk activities or complex ownership
Non-resident shareholders without UAE visas: expect extra scrutiny and documentation
A UAE residence visa for at least one signatory — usually the founder, via the investor visa — materially improves both speed and options.
If you get rejected
A rejection is rarely final and usually diagnostic: the activity looked unclear, the flows didn't match the story, or a document was missing. Fix the file — tighten the activity description, evidence the contracts, resolve the KYC gap — and apply to a bank whose risk appetite fits your profile. Matching profile to bank up front is precisely the work we do; it is far cheaper than burning applications.
Frequently asked questions
Can I open an account before the licence?
No — the trade licence and incorporation documents are the foundation of the application. Licence first, always; see the full setup sequence.
Do free zone companies struggle with banks?
Not inherently. Banks bank thousands of free zone companies. What they reject is vagueness — regardless of jurisdiction.
What minimum balance should I expect?
Digital SME accounts start near zero; traditional business accounts commonly expect an average balance, with fees if you dip below. Factor it into your setup budget.
Government rules, fees and thresholds in the UAE change. Treat this as a practical overview, not legal or tax advice — confirm the current position for your activity with Corpora or the relevant authority before you act.
Ready to set up in the UAE?
Book a free 15-minute consultation — we’ll map the right structure, licence and costs for your business.
The UAE introduced a federal corporate tax on business profits, effective for financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023. It is low by global standards, but every company needs to register and understand where it stands.
Who has to pay
Corporate tax applies to UAE companies and to individuals carrying on business under a licence. Even if your profit falls below the taxable threshold, you generally still need to register and file.
The rates
0% on taxable profit up to the threshold (AED 375,000).
9% on taxable profit above it.
Large multinationals may fall under separate global minimum-tax rules.
Free zone companies
A Qualifying Free Zone Person can keep a 0% rate on qualifying income if it meets the conditions — real substance in the zone, qualifying activities, and compliance with transfer-pricing and documentation rules. Non-qualifying income is taxed at the standard rate.
Small business relief
Smaller companies under a revenue threshold may elect for small business relief, which can simplify obligations for eligible periods. Whether it benefits you depends on your numbers.
Registration and deadlines
Registration is done through the Federal Tax Authority, and the deadline depends on your licence issue date — missing it can mean penalties. Returns are filed annually. This is exactly the kind of date worth handing to your accountant.
Registering, step by step
Create your EmaraTax account with the Federal Tax Authority
Submit the corporate tax registration with licence and shareholder details
Receive your Tax Registration Number (TRN)
Diarise your first tax period and the nine-month filing deadline that follows it
Registration is required even when your expected liability is zero — the penalty regime treats late registration as its own offence.
The records you must keep
Proper books are now a legal requirement, not good practice: ledgers, invoices, contracts and bank statements supporting your return, retained for the statutory period. If your revenue passes the audit thresholds set by your free zone or the law, audited financials follow. This is where monthly accounting stops being a cost and becomes insurance.
Corporate tax vs VAT — don't confuse them
VAT is a 5% transaction tax you collect for the government once turnover passes the mandatory threshold. Corporate tax is a profit tax you pay on your own results. Different registrations, different returns, different deadlines — a company can owe one, both, or neither.
Free zone substance, in plain terms
Keeping the 0% qualifying rate is conditional: real activity in the zone (people, premises, spend appropriate to your income), income from qualifying activities, audited accounts, and staying inside the de-minimis limit for non-qualifying revenue. Fail the conditions and the standard rate applies across the board — which is why structure and bookkeeping decisions belong together; see free zone vs mainland.
Frequently asked questions
My company made a loss. Do I still file?
Yes — registration and filing obligations apply regardless of profit, and carried-forward losses can offset future taxable income if properly documented.
Are salaries deductible?
Legitimate business expenses, including arm's-length salaries, are generally deductible in computing taxable profit, subject to the law's limits on certain payments.
When is the deadline?
Returns are due within nine months of your financial year end; registration deadlines were phased by licence issue date. Confirm your specific dates — this is the one item not to guess.
Government rules, fees and thresholds in the UAE change. Treat this as a practical overview, not legal or tax advice — confirm the current position for your activity with Corpora or the relevant authority before you act.
Ready to set up in the UAE?
Book a free 15-minute consultation — we’ll map the right structure, licence and costs for your business.
Setting up a company in the UAE is also a route to residence. There are two main paths for founders and investors: the standard investor visa tied to your company, and the long-term Golden Visa.
The investor (partner) visa
When you own a UAE company, your trade licence entitles you to an investor/partner visa — typically valid for two years and renewable. It gives you residence, lets you sponsor family, and is the most common route for new business owners.
The Golden Visa
The Golden Visa is a long-term residence permit (commonly 10 years) that is not tied to a single employer or company renewal cycle. Categories that can qualify include:
Investors and entrepreneurs meeting the capital or business criteria
Property investors above the value threshold
Highly skilled professionals, specialists and talent in select fields
Outstanding students and graduates
Why founders like it
Long-term stability without frequent renewals
Sponsor family members, including domestic staff
Freedom to stay outside the UAE for longer without losing residence
How to apply
Eligibility and evidence vary by category, and the criteria are updated periodically. The practical approach is to confirm which category fits you, prepare the supporting documents, and file — which is something we handle end to end.
The investor visa, step by step
Incorporate your company and receive the trade licence — see the setup guide
Apply for the company establishment card
Issue your entry permit, then complete medical and biometrics in the UAE
Emirates ID issued and the residence visa stamped — typically valid two years, renewable
Golden Visa routes in detail
Real estate: property investment at or above the published value threshold (currently AED 2 million) can qualify, including certain mortgaged and off-plan purchases
Entrepreneurs: founders of approved startups or businesses meeting the capital / revenue criteria
Executives & professionals: senior salaried roles above the income threshold, with attested qualifications
Exceptional talent: scientists, doctors, artists, athletes and top graduates via nomination or accreditation
Criteria are updated periodically and differ by emirate — Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah each administer applications through their own channels.
Sponsoring your family
Both visa types let you sponsor your spouse and children; the Golden Visa extends duration for dependants and permits sponsoring domestic staff. For families relocating, aligning school terms with the visa timeline is usually the real deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Golden Visa require a company?
Not necessarily — property and talent routes stand alone. But pairing it with a UAE company often makes financial sense for tax residence and banking.
Can I lose residence by staying abroad?
Standard visas lapse after six months outside the UAE; the Golden Visa is exempt from that rule — a key benefit for global founders.
How fast is the process?
Investor visas commonly complete within 2–3 weeks of licence issue. Golden Visa timelines vary by category and emirate, typically several weeks once documents are attested.
Government rules, fees and thresholds in the UAE change. Treat this as a practical overview, not legal or tax advice — confirm the current position for your activity with Corpora or the relevant authority before you act.
Ready to set up in the UAE?
Book a free 15-minute consultation — we’ll map the right structure, licence and costs for your business.
