UAE Company Formation
Register a mainland, free zone or offshore company in any of the 7 emirates. We handle the trade licence, visas and corporate bank account.
What is UAE company formation?
UAE company formation is the process of registering a legal business entity in the United Arab Emirates and getting the trade licence it needs to operate.
It covers choosing a jurisdiction and emirate, defining your business activity, reserving a trade name, getting approvals, and then setting up visas and a corporate bank account.
- Jurisdictions
- Mainland, free zone, offshore
- Licence types
- Commercial, professional, industrial
- Ownership
- Up to 100% foreign
- Corporate tax
- 9% on profit above AED 375,000
Mainland, free zone or offshore company
| Compare | Mainland | Free zone | Offshore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal forms | LLC, sole establishment, civil company, branch of a foreign company | FZE (one shareholder), FZCO or FZ-LLC (several), branch | Offshore company (IBC) |
| Best for | Trading and services across the UAE | Exporters, consultants, eCommerce | Holding assets and international trade |
| Foreign ownership | 100% for most activities | 100% | 100% |
| Trade inside the UAE | Anywhere | Through a local distributor | Not permitted |
| Office | Physical office with Ejari | Flexi desk to full office | Registered agent only |
| Residence visas | Based on office size | Based on package | None |
| Share capital | No fixed minimum for most LLCs | Set by each free zone | Set by the registry |
Some free zone companies can add a mainland permit or dual licence to trade directly inside the UAE.
Company formation in each emirate
Every emirate has its own licensing authority, free zones and costs.
Dubai
دبي The main trading hub, with the widest choice of free zones.Free zones DMCC, IFZA, JAFZA, DAFZA, Meydan Company formation in Dubai
Abu Dhabi
أبوظبي The capital, strong for finance, energy and industry.Free zones ADGM, KEZAD, Masdar City, twofour54 Company formation in Abu Dhabi
Sharjah
الشارقة Lower setup costs, close to Dubai.Free zones SHAMS, SAIF Zone, SPC Company formation in Sharjah
Ajman
عجمان Budget-friendly licences for small businesses.Free zones Ajman Free Zone, AMC Company formation in Ajman
Ras Al Khaimah
رأس الخيمة Industrial land, trading and the main offshore registry.Free zones RAKEZ, RAK DAO, RAK ICC Company formation in Ras Al Khaimah
Umm Al Quwain
أم القيوين Low-cost free zone licences.Free zones UAQ FTZ Company formation in Umm Al Quwain
Fujairah
الفجيرة East coast port access for shipping and trade.Free zones Fujairah Free Zone, Creative City Company formation in Fujairah
Not sure which emirate?
We compare costs, free zones and visa options for your activity.
Ask an advisorRequirements and compliance
Documents required
- Passport copies of every shareholder and manager
- Passport photos on a white background
- UAE visa or entry stamp or Emirates ID for residents
- NOC from current sponsor for UAE residents, where required
- Corporate documents for company shareholders: incorporation certificate, MoA, board resolution
What affects the cost
- Emirate and jurisdiction mainland, free zone or offshore
- Business activity some activities need extra approvals
- Office type flexi desk, virtual or physical office
- Number of visas investor, partner and employee
- Yearly renewal licence, establishment card and lease
Business activity
- Sets your licence type commercial, professional or industrial
- Decides the jurisdiction some activities are mainland only
- May need extra approvals for example health, education or food regulators
- Can be combined related activities on one licence
Visas
- Establishment card the company’s immigration file, needed first
- Investor or partner visa for shareholders
- Employee visas quota set by office size or package
- Golden Visa 10 years, for investors and entrepreneurs who qualify
After setup: staying compliant
- Corporate tax registration required for every company, free zones included
- VAT registration (5%) mandatory above AED 375,000 yearly taxable supplies, optional above AED 187,500
- UBO register record of the company’s real owners
- Accounting and audit yearly audited accounts in many free zones and for qualifying free zone persons
- Licence renewal every year, with lease and establishment card
- Visa renewals investor and employee visas on their own cycle
One team, start to finish
Activity, jurisdiction and budget, agreed up front.
Trade name, initial approval and licence issuance.
Flexi desk, virtual or physical office.
Investor, partner and employee visas.
Introductions and paperwork with UAE banks.
Government approvals, VAT and corporate tax registration, yearly renewals.
From first call to first invoice
Most free zone setups finish in 1 to 3 weeks.
- ConsultationYour activity, market and budget.
- StructureEmirate, jurisdiction and licence type.
- DocumentsPassports, trade name and approvals.
- LicenceIssued by the authority or free zone.
- Visas and bankResidency, Emirates ID and account.
- AftercareRenewals, tax and compliance.
UAE company formation questions
How long does it take to form a company in the UAE?
From a few days to a few weeks, depending on the emirate, jurisdiction and business activity.
Can foreigners fully own a UAE company?
Yes. Free zones allow 100% foreign ownership, and so do most mainland activities.
Which jurisdiction is best for my business?
Mainland suits businesses selling across the UAE. Free zones suit exporters, consultants and online businesses. Offshore suits holding companies.
Do I need a physical office?
Mainland companies need one with an Ejari. Many free zones accept a flexi desk or virtual office.
Can a free zone company trade on the mainland?
Not directly. It can sell through a mainland distributor, or add a mainland permit or dual licence where its free zone allows it.
Do UAE companies pay corporate tax?
Yes. Corporate tax is 9% on taxable profit above AED 375,000. Qualifying free zone companies can benefit from a 0% rate.
Read the official guidance
Government pages on UAE business setup and corporate tax.
Start your UAEcompany today.
Tell us your activity and target market. We will recommend the emirate, jurisdiction and licence in one call.