Short, honest answers. For anything specific to your situation, a 15-minute eligibility call is usually the fastest path.
Free Zone or Mainland — which is right for me?
Free Zone suits international consulting, e-commerce, global trading, and holding structures. Mainland suits businesses serving UAE-based clients, regulated activities, and government contracts. We confirm the right structure during the eligibility call based on your activity, clients, and geography — not on a default template.
How long does the setup process take?
Free Zone incorporation typically takes 5–10 working days; Mainland takes 7–14 working days. Corporate banking is handled in parallel and usually completes within 2–8 weeks depending on your profile and the institution.
Do I need to be in the UAE during the setup?
Most initial steps — including trade name reservation, KYC, and licence issuance — can be handled remotely. A short visit is usually required for Emirates ID biometrics, medicals, and most corporate bank account openings.
What does a realistic total investment look like?
Free Zone setups typically range from AED 18,000 to AED 25,000 (activity dependent), or AED 25,000 to AED 40,000+ with visa allocation and a physical office. Mainland setups range from AED 12,500 to AED 18,000 on a flexi-desk structure, or AED 18,000 to AED 28,000+ with an investor visa. We provide a fully itemised quote — government fees broken out — before any engagement.
How does corporate tax work for a new UAE entity?
The UAE applies 0% corporate tax on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above that threshold. Free Zone entities may qualify for 0% on qualifying income, subject to substance and regulatory requirements. CT registration is mandatory for all entities regardless of turnover.
When is VAT registration required?
VAT registration becomes mandatory once taxable revenue exceeds AED 375,000 annually. Voluntary registration is available at lower thresholds. The standard VAT rate is 5% on most goods and services.
What visas are available once the company is formed?
Investor or partner visas, employment visas for staff, dependent visas for family, and — where eligibility criteria are met — the long-term Golden Visa. Visa quota depends on licence type and office size; we assess this during structure design.
What ongoing compliance does a UAE entity carry?
Annual trade licence renewal, corporate tax registration and filing, VAT returns (where registered), UBO declaration, AML compliance for regulated sectors, Economic Substance filings where applicable, and transfer pricing rules for related-party transactions. We handle these as part of a long-term retainer.
Start with eligibility
Planning your UAE company?
A 15-minute call maps activity, jurisdiction, and timeline. Written summary and quote follow.
