Three ways to own a UAE company
The right one depends on who buys from you, not on the cheapest licence.
Sell directly in the UAE
Shops, offices and government tenders, licensed by the emirate's economic department.
- Direct access to UAE customers
- Premises usually required
- Up to 100% foreign ownership for most activities
Serve clients abroad, start light
One licence, a flexi-desk and your own visas, inside a zone such as IFZA, DMCC or RAKEZ.
- 100% foreign ownership
- Fast, mostly digital set-up
- 0% tax only on qualifying income
Hold assets and shares
A holding structure with no UAE office, trading or residence visa.
- Registered agent only
- Not for UAE trading
- Used for holding and asset protection
Every emirate, plus Oman
Each page covers the licence authority, costs, documents and visas for that jurisdiction.
Free zone, mainland and offshore
IFZA, DMCC, Dubai South, JAFZA, DIFC and DET mainland.
ADDED mainland, ADGM, KEZAD
Compare the mainland and free zone routes.
Free zones, mainland and the trade licence
SHAMS, Hamriyah, SAIF and Sharjah mainland.
Ajman
Free zone, mainland, offshore.
RAKEZ and RAK ICC
Industrial and offshore options.
Company formation in Oman
Our Oman desk helps you register and license a company.
The services that keep it running
One team for formation, visas, tax and compliance.
PRO services
Licence renewals, Ejari, labour and immigration paperwork handled for you.
VAT consultants
FTA registration, return filing and audit support.
Accounting and bookkeeping
Bookkeeping, payroll, reporting and annual accounts.
Trademark registration
Protect your brand name and logo in the UAE.
Golden Visa
Ten-year residency for qualifying investors and professionals.
Crypto licence
VARA, DMCC and IFZA routes for digital asset businesses.
Nominee director
A local representative structure for investors who need one.
One named adviser from first call to licence
You speak to the same consultant throughout, not a call centre. They check your documents against the authority's rules before submission, so problems surface before they cost you weeks.
- Structure before feesWe confirm the activity, ownership rules and approvals first.
- Itemised written quoteGovernment fees and our fee shown separately, with renewals.
- Support after the licenceVisas, bank-account support, VAT, accounting and renewals.
From first call to operating company
Timelines depend on the authority and on how complete your documents are; we give an estimate after reviewing your case.
Choose the activity and structure
Your activity decides the licence, ownership rules and approvals. We confirm it before any fee.
Reserve the trade name
Submitted to the authority; it must be unique and follow UAE naming rules.
Submit documents, receive the licence
We prepare and file the application and handle attestation where needed.
Visas and Emirates ID
Entry permit, medical test, biometrics and residence visa for you and your team.
Bank account support
We prepare the application and introduce suitable banks. Approval is the bank's decision.
Start a specific business? Read the licence guide first.
Activity-by-activity guides with approvals, documents and costs.
How to Get a SIRA License in Dubai
Teacher License UAE 2026: The Complete Guide
Trade License in Sharjah
Food License Dubai
Business setup in Dubai: quick answers
Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Dubai?
Yes. Foreign nationals can own 100% of all free zone companies and most mainland companies. Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 removed the local partner requirement for most commercial activities. A short list of regulated sectors, such as banking and insurance, keeps extra ownership or approval rules.
Do I need a local sponsor?
No, not for most mainland and free zone activities since 2021. Your activity decides whether any approval or partner rule applies, and we confirm it before you pay a fee.
What is the difference between a free zone and a mainland company?
A mainland company can serve UAE customers directly, open retail premises and bid for government work. A free zone company is licensed by the zone authority, suits international clients and low-cost set-up, and may need a permit or arrangement to operate in the mainland.
What is the best free zone for my business?
It depends on your activity, budget and visa needs. IFZA suits consultants and small trading companies, DMCC suits commodities and crypto-related activity, Dubai South suits logistics and e-commerce. Our free zone guide compares them.
Why use business setup consultants instead of doing it myself?
The process spans several authorities, and a consultant who files every week knows which documents are rejected and why. You get one named adviser, a fixed written quote and help after the licence is issued.
Not sure which structure fits? Get a written recommendation before you pay a fee.
Tell us your activity, partners and where your customers are. A consultant replies with the route, the costs and the documents, itemised.