Velare structures Mainland and Free Zone incorporations for foreign investors — with compliance, banking, and visa coordination handled end-to-end.
Who this is for
For founders who want structure, not a license-and-run transaction.
We work with investors and operators who treat UAE incorporation as a strategic move — not a paperwork errand. Typical clients look like this:
01
Non-resident investors
Established entrepreneurs seeking UAE tax residency, a credible holding structure, and banking that stands up to scrutiny.
02
Europeans expanding into the GCC
Founders using Dubai as their regional base for trade, technology, consulting, or financial services — with European compliance expectations.
03
Asian SME owners
Operators in manufacturing, trading, and digital services moving their headquarters or holding layer into a stable currency jurisdiction.
04
Holding & IP structures
International groups consolidating ownership, intellectual property, or investment holdings under a UAE entity for treaty access and substance.
Industries we support
Sector-specific structuring, not generic templates.
Every industry carries its own regulatory context, activity codes, and licensing nuance. We structure against that reality — not against a default template.
Consulting & Professional Services
Management, strategy, and specialised advisory — typically Free Zone-based with flexible visa allocation.
Trading & Import/Export
Commodities, general trading, and cross-border distribution — Free Zone or Mainland depending on market access needs.
E-commerce & Digital Services
Online retail, SaaS, and digital platforms — Free Zones with e-commerce-ready activity lists.
Fintech & Financial Services
Regulated activities under DIFC or ADGM, with substance and compliance built in.
Real Estate & Brokerage
Mainland brokerage with RERA registration, or Free Zone for investment holding structures.
Hospitality & F&B
Restaurant, café, and hotel operations — Mainland with local authority approvals.
Manufacturing & Industrial
Light and heavy manufacturing in industrial Free Zones with warehousing and logistics.
Holding & Investment
UAE holding companies for IP, shareholdings, and treaty access — ADGM, DIFC, or strategic Free Zones.
Don't see your sector? Every activity has a pathway — we confirm the right jurisdiction during the eligibility call.
Mainland vs Free Zone
Two structures, two different operating models.
Choosing between Mainland and Free Zone is not primarily a cost decision — it is a question of operational scope, client geography, and regulatory positioning.
Free Zone
International operations, digital services, holding structures.
Ownership
100% foreign ownership
Market access
International and free zone clients; mainland access via distributors or additional licensing
Office requirement
Flexi-desk or physical office within the free zone
Tax treatment
0% corporate tax on qualifying income, subject to substance and regulatory requirements
Visa allocation
Quota linked to licence type and office size
Typical use case
Consulting, e-commerce, global trading, technology, and holding structures
Mainland
UAE-based clients, regulated activities, government contracts.
Ownership
100% foreign ownership for most activities
Market access
Full commercial flexibility across the UAE without geographic restriction
Office requirement
Ejari-registered commercial lease (flexi-desk available for select activities)
Tax treatment
9% corporate tax on profits above AED 375,000; 0% below
Visa allocation
Quota linked to activity, office size, and approvals
Typical use case
Retail, F&B, construction, contracting, and locally-delivered professional services
Indicative formation ranges: Free Zone from AED 18,000 (activity dependent); Mainland from AED 12,500 (flexi-desk, without visas). Figures shown are illustrative — we provide a fully itemised quotation once your activity and jurisdiction are confirmed.
Jurisdictions we cover
Eight Free Zones, one advisory framework.
Each authority has its own activity list, pricing structure, and substance requirements. We select the right one based on your operations — not on commission structures.
Meydan Free Zone
Cost-efficient setup for consulting and professional services.
Best for
Consultancy, marketing, digital services
From AED 12,500
IFZA (International Free Zone Authority)
Flexible activity bundles for SMEs and digital businesses.
Best for
E-commerce, holding, general trading, consulting
From AED 11,900
DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre)
Flagship free zone for trading, commodities, and crypto businesses.
Best for
International trading, commodities, crypto, professional services
From AED 20,285
DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre)
Common-law financial jurisdiction for regulated and holding entities.
Best for
Financial services, family offices, holding structures
From AED 45,000
ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market)
English common-law framework for fintech, family offices, and SPVs.
Best for
Fintech, family offices, holding companies, asset management
From AED 45,000
DAFZA (Dubai Airport Free Zone)
Logistics-focused jurisdiction adjacent to Dubai International Airport.
Pricing shown is indicative, activity-dependent, and excludes visa allocation and office requirements. We provide fully itemised quotations once your activity and jurisdiction are confirmed.
What's included
One engagement, a single accountable team — from licence to ledger.
Every mandate is quoted transparently with government fees broken out. No hidden add-ons; no promotional package traps.
01
Business structuring & activity assessment
Free Zone vs Mainland advisory, authority selection, and regulatory alignment before paperwork begins.
02
Trade licensing & incorporation
Trade name reservation, initial approvals, MOA drafting, and licence issuance through the chosen authority.
03
PRO & visa coordination
Establishment card, investor and employee visas, medicals, Emirates ID, and renewals handled in-house.
04
Banking coordination
Introduction to relevant UAE banks, KYC preparation, and substance documentation. Typical approval: 2–8 weeks.
05
Corporate tax & VAT registration
CT registration, 5% VAT advisory, and mandatory registration once taxable revenue exceeds AED 375,000.
06
UBO, AML & ESR compliance
Ultimate Beneficial Owner declarations, AML framework for regulated sectors, and Economic Substance filings where applicable.
07
Office & substance solutions
Flexi-desk, virtual, or physical office options structured to meet banking and regulatory substance requirements.
08
Ongoing corporate administration
Annual licence renewals, bookkeeping coordination, transfer pricing support, and corporate secretary services.
All pricing is structured and itemised. Request a quote for a package tailored to your activity and jurisdiction.
Residency & long-term visa
Golden Visa — structured through your business setup.
Many company formations can include a long-term UAE residency pathway. We assess Golden Visa eligibility during structure design, not as an afterthought.
01Investor route
Through business investment
Company ownership with a minimum capital investment, substance requirements, and a track record of operational activity. Typical threshold: AED 2 million committed.
02Entrepreneur route
Through approved projects
For founders of innovative or high-value projects approved by an authorised entity. Pathway includes business plan review and institutional endorsement.
03Specialised talent
Through professional credentials
For qualifying executives, specialists, and senior professionals in priority sectors. Requires institutional employer sponsorship or recognised credentials.
Golden Visa eligibility depends on your structure, activity, and documented track record. We confirm viability during the eligibility call and include the pathway in the overall setup quotation where applicable.
Our process
Five steps — from eligibility to operational company.
Each step has a defined deliverable and timeline. You will know what we're working on, and what the authority needs from you, at every stage.
01
Consultation & Eligibility
A 15-minute call to understand your activity, client geography, ownership structure, and residency goals — followed by a written eligibility summary.
02
Structure Design
We recommend Mainland or Free Zone, the specific authority, licence activities, and office model — with a transparent itemised quotation.
03
Licensing & Incorporation
Trade name reservation, documentation, KYC, and licence issuance. Typical timeline: 5–10 working days (Free Zone) or 7–14 working days (Mainland).
04
Visa & Banking
Establishment card, investor or employee visas, Emirates ID, and corporate bank account introduction with KYC prepared to each bank's standard.
05
Ongoing Compliance
Annual renewals, corporate tax, VAT, UBO/AML/ESR reporting, and bookkeeping — retained as a long-term compliance partnership.
Frequently asked
Answers to the questions we hear most.
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 eligibility call is enough to map your activity, likely jurisdiction, and realistic timeline. We follow up with a written summary and an itemised quotation.
