Business setup in the UAE
There are three ways to set up a company in the UAE. Which one fits depends on where your customers are and whether you need a residence visa.
What do you want your company to do?
Pick the one that sounds like you to see who licenses it, where you can trade, what it means for visas and how it is taxed.
Who issues it
The economic department of the emirate. In Dubai, the Department of Economy and Tourism.
Where you can trade
Anywhere in the UAE, and internationally.
Foreign ownership
Up to 100%, except a short list of strategic activities such as banking, telecoms and defence.
Residence visas
Yes. In Dubai there is no fixed cap. The number follows the size of your premises and your activity.
Office
A leased physical address. In Dubai the lease is registered with Ejari.
Corporate tax
9% on taxable income above AED 375,000.
Who issues it
The free zone's own authority, for example IFZA or DMCC.
Where you can trade
Inside the free zone and internationally. Selling on the mainland needs a distributor, a branch or a permit.
Foreign ownership
100%.
Residence visas
Yes. The number depends on your package and office.
Office
From a flexi desk to a full office or warehouse.
Corporate tax
0% on qualifying income if the company meets the conditions. 9% on everything else.
Who issues it
An offshore registry: JAFZA, RAK ICC or Ajman Free Zone. JAFZA issues a certificate of incorporation, not a license.
Where you can trade
Outside the UAE only.
Foreign ownership
100%.
Residence visas
Not as a rule. The exception: a JAFZA offshore company that owns freehold property can apply for its members.
Office
A registered office, usually at the registered agent's address.
Corporate tax
The corporate tax law applies to any company incorporated in the UAE. There is no automatic exemption.
Choose where to set up.
Each emirate and each free zone has its own authority, fees and rules. Every guide lists the official sources behind it.
Dubai mainland
Licensed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
UAE mainland overview
How mainland companies work, who licenses them and what they can do.
Abu Dhabi mainland
Licensed by ADRA through the TAMM platform.
Sharjah mainland
Licensed by the Sharjah Economic Development Department.
Ajman mainland
Licensed by the Ajman Department of Economic Development.
UAE free zones overview
What a free zone company can do, and how the 0% rate really works.
Dubai free zones
DMCC, JAFZA, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Meydan and more, compared.
IFZA
A Dubai free zone based in Dubai Silicon Oasis.
Abu Dhabi free zones
ADGM, KEZAD, Masdar City and twofour54.
Ras Al Khaimah free zones
RAKEZ and Innovation City.
Sharjah free zones
SAIF Zone, Hamriyah, SHAMS, SPC and SRTIP.
Ajman free zones
Ajman Free Zone and Ajman Media City.
UAE offshore overview
Holding companies registered in the UAE, and what they cannot do.
Dubai offshore
In Dubai, offshore companies are registered by JAFZA.
Jebel Ali offshore
Set up under the JAFZA Offshore Companies Regulations 2023.
Ras Al Khaimah offshore
International business companies registered with RAK ICC.
Ajman offshore
Offshore companies registered with Ajman Free Zone.
Setting up in the UAE, answered.
The questions founders ask us first. If yours is not here, ask us directly.
How much does it cost to set up a company in Dubai?
Links packages start at AED 11,000 for a RAKEZ free zone license. A UAE company with a license, a flexi desk and one investor visa is AED 12,500, and a Dubai mainland company is AED 19,500. The final cost depends on your business activity, the jurisdiction, the number of visas and the office you need. We send the full cost in writing before you commit.
What is the difference between mainland, free zone and offshore?
A mainland company is licensed by the emirate's economic department and can trade anywhere in the UAE. A free zone company is licensed by a free zone authority and trades inside the zone and internationally. An offshore company is registered with JAFZA, RAK ICC or Ajman Free Zone. It is used to hold shares or property, cannot do business with customers inside the UAE, and does not normally lead to a residence visa.
Can I get a UAE residence visa through my company?
Yes, with a mainland or free zone company. The number of visas depends on your office and package. An offshore company does not normally lead to a residence visa.
Does the UAE have corporate tax or personal income tax?
The UAE charges corporate tax at 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000, and VAT at 5%. It does not levy income tax on individuals. A free zone company pays 0% only on qualifying income and only if it meets the conditions in the corporate tax law.
Will Links open my company bank account?
We prepare the documents the bank asks for and introduce you to the bank. Every UAE bank runs its own compliance checks and makes its own decision, so no consultant can guarantee an account.
Tell us about the business. We will send the cost in writing.
Send a few details and an advisor will reply with the route we recommend and what it costs. There is no charge and no obligation to proceed.
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- contact@linksbusiness.aeFor documents and detailed questions
- Dubai National Insurance Building1st Floor, Office 15, Port Saeed, Deira, Dubai