Business setup
Business setup in Dubai and the UAE, from licence to bank account.
We help founders choose between mainland, free zone and offshore, then handle the trade licence, visas and corporate bank account. Because we are also your auditors and tax agents, the structure we set up is one we are happy to look after for years.
- Emirates where we form companies
- 7
- Foreign ownership for most activities
- 100%
- Routes: mainland, free zone, offshore
- 3
Overview
Choose the structure before the licence.
The cheapest licence is rarely the right one. Where your customers are, whether you need visas, how you plan to bank and how corporate tax treats your income all point to different jurisdictions. A trading company selling to UAE retailers and a consultancy billing overseas clients should not be set up the same way.
We start with a short call about the business, compare two or three realistic options with costs and tax consequences, and only then apply. After the licence we stay on for the visas, the bank account and the first tax registrations.
- Jurisdiction comparison with real costs
- Trade name, approvals and licence
- Establishment card, visas and Emirates ID
- Corporate tax and VAT registration after setup
What is included
Company formation services we cover.
Everything between the idea and the first invoice.
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Mainland company formation
LLCs, sole establishments, civil companies and branches licensed by the Department of Economy in each emirate.
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Free zone company formation
FZE, FZCO and FZ-LLC companies in DMCC, IFZA, Meydan, RAKEZ, SHAMS, SPC and other zones.
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Offshore company formation
Holding companies registered with JAFZA Offshore, RAK ICC or Ajman Offshore.
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Licence changes and renewals
Adding activities or partners, changing the name or address, and renewing on time.
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Bank account support
Preparing the file banks expect: business plan, source of funds, contracts and compliance documents.
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Liquidation and deregistration
Closing a company properly: liquidation audit, authority clearances, visa cancellations and tax deregistration.
Good to know
Questions that decide the right jurisdiction.
We go through these on the first call.
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Who are your customers?
Selling directly to mainland customers or government usually needs a mainland licence or a local distributor.
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How many visas?
Visa quotas depend on office space and the zone. Offshore companies cannot sponsor visas at all.
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How will tax apply?
Free zone companies can keep a 0% rate on qualifying income. Mainland income is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000.
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Which bank?
Banks look at activity, owners’ nationalities and expected turnover. Some structures are much easier to bank than others.
Getting started
Documents for company formation.
Requirements vary by authority and activity. This is the usual starting list.
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- UAE visa or entry stamp and Emirates ID, if resident
- Three proposed trade names in order of preference
- Description of the business activities
- No-objection letter from a current UAE sponsor, where required
- For corporate shareholders: attested incorporation documents and a board resolution
The process
Company setup in four steps.
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Consultation
Your business model, customers, visa needs and budget.
Day 1 -
Jurisdiction and activity
A written comparison of the realistic options and their costs.
Day 2 -
Name and approvals
Trade name reservation, initial approval and any external approvals.
Week 1 -
Licence issued
Memorandum signed, lease or flexi-desk arranged, licence released.
Week 1 to 3
Business setup FAQ
Questions about business setup.
Have a question about your own company? An advisor replies the same working day.
Ask on WhatsApp
How long does it take to set up a company in Dubai?
A straightforward free zone company can be licensed in a few working days. Mainland companies and activities that need external approvals take longer, typically one to three weeks. Visas and the bank account follow after the licence.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in the UAE?
Yes. Free zone companies have always allowed full foreign ownership, and since 2021 most mainland commercial and industrial activities do too. A small list of strategic activities still has ownership conditions.
What is the difference between mainland and free zone?
A mainland company is licensed by the emirate’s Department of Economy and can trade anywhere in the UAE. A free zone company is licensed by the zone authority, trades freely inside the zone and internationally, and can benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income.
Do I need a physical office?
Mainland companies need a registered address with a tenancy contract. Free zones offer flexi-desks and shared offices that satisfy the requirement at a lower cost. Offshore companies use their registered agent’s address.
Do you help after the company is formed?
Yes. We register the company for corporate tax and VAT, keep the books, file the returns and carry out the annual audit, so you deal with one firm throughout.
Related services
Often needed alongside this.
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ServicePRO services
Visas, Emirates ID, licence renewals, attestations and government approvals handled for you, without the queue.
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ServiceCorporate tax & VAT
Registration, returns and advisory for UAE corporate tax, VAT and Pillar Two, so every filing reaches the Federal Tax Authority correct and on time.
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ServiceAccounting & bookkeeping
Monthly bookkeeping and IFRS financial statements kept audit-ready all year, so year end is a review and not a rescue.
Free consultation
Tell us what is due. We will tell you what it takes.
Send a few details and an advisor will call you back within one working day with next steps and a fixed quote. No obligation.
- Call+971 52 202 3984
- WhatsAppChat with an advisor
- Emailadvisor@ashfordmc.com
- OfficeAl Shafar Investment Building 121, Al Quoz Industrial Area 1, Dubai
- HoursSaturday to Thursday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM