Your UAE company.
Built to trade.
From choosing a free zone or mainland licence to the filings that follow. A founder-led partner for your UAE entity, tax and compliance needs.
Licensing / Corporate tax & VAT / Ongoing complianceFull foreign ownership is available for many activities.
A licence and a registered address or flexi-desk are required.
Licensing and ongoing tax obligations, considered together.
Choose the structure that fits your business.
Start with where your customers are and how you will operate. Not just the licence fee.
Free zone company
A popular route for founders who trade internationally or serve clients from a specific free zone, with full foreign ownership and a self-contained licensing authority.
- Ownership
- 100% foreign ownership is generally permitted. Requirements are set by the chosen free zone authority.
- Liability
- A free zone company is a separate legal entity. Shareholder liability is generally limited to the capital contributed.
- Market access
- Free zone companies trade within their zone and internationally. Selling directly into the UAE mainland can need a distributor or a mainland licence.
- Ongoing records
- Annual licence renewal, accounting records, Corporate Tax and, where applicable, VAT and Economic Substance obligations.
A prepared application starts with the right information.
We agree the service scope with you. You retain control over the decisions that shape your company.
What we coordinate
- Jurisdiction and activity requirements review
- Licence application and authority coordination
- Registered address, office or flexi-desk setup
- An agreed scope for tax registration and renewals
What you provide
- Proposed name and business activity
- Shareholder, manager and ownership details
- Required identity documents and address information
- Approval of the scope, documents and charges
Free zone and mainland requirements differ, and Economic Substance and UBO obligations may apply. Corporate Tax registration with the Federal Tax Authority is required for most businesses; deadlines depend on your circumstances.
Read the official tax requirementsKnow what you’re paying for.
Your quote should separate set-up costs from the commitments that follow.
Authority & government fees
Free zone authority or economic department licence fees depend on the activity, visa quota and office type. We identify the applicable official fees in your scope.
Professional support
Preparation, activity approvals, ownership complexity and any specialist work affect the service fee. No fixed UAE package price is assumed here.
Keeping compliant
Licence renewals, office or flexi-desk, accounting, Corporate Tax and VAT filings are separate commitments. Inclusions and renewals should be agreed in writing.
An orderly start. No skipped steps.
- 01
Define the brief
Activity, ownership, where you will operate and any residence-visa needs establish the scope.
- 02
Choose jurisdiction & name
Select the emirate or free zone authority, reserve a trade name and obtain initial activity approval.
- 03
Prepare the record
Agree the memorandum, shareholder and manager details, office or flexi-desk arrangement and identity documents.
- 04
Licence & establishment
Submit to the authority. The trade licence and establishment card are issued, and visa allocations confirmed.
- 05
Plan the first year
Register for Corporate Tax, assess VAT, arrange visas and Emirates ID, and set up accounting and renewals.
Timing is confirmed after reviewing your documents and requirements. Licensing, tax registration and bank approval are separate processes.
Your licence is only the beginning.
A UAE company has renewals and tax obligations after set-up. Put the recurring dates on the record from day one.
Trade licence renewal
Renew with the free zone authority or the economic department before expiry. Office or tenancy conditions can apply.
Corporate Tax registration & return
Register with the FTA and file an annual return. 0% applies up to AED 375,000 of taxable profit and 9% above; qualifying free zone income may differ.
VAT returns
For VAT-registered businesses. Registration is generally mandatory above AED 375,000 of taxable turnover and voluntary above AED 187,500.
UBO, ESR & accounting records
Maintain Ultimate Beneficial Owner details, review Economic Substance obligations and keep proper accounting records.
Indicative obligations, not an individual compliance calendar. Free zone rules, activity type and exemptions can apply, and requirements can change.
Check official Corporate Tax and VAT guidanceChoose the right UAE free zone.
Each free zone suits different activities, budgets and ambitions — from low-cost consultancy licences to premium financial and trading hubs. Compare the options founders choose most.
IFZA
Cost-effective Dubai licence
Meydan
Prestige Dubai address, fast setup
DMCC
Global trade & commodities hub
SHAMS
Low-cost media & creative zone
RAKEZ
Industrial & trading, low cost
DAFZA
Airport-side logistics & trade
Dubai Internet City
Tech & ICT ecosystem
JAFZA
Port-based trade & manufacturing
Ajman
Affordable SME & trading zone
ADGM
Common-law financial centre
Before you license, understand the decisions.
An original StartEase guide to forming a UAE company as an overseas founder. Practical questions, explained in plain English.
Founder's guideA UAE company, from abroad: the decisions before the licence.
Clarity before commitment.
The details international founders ask about most often.
Let’s put your UAE plans in order.
Share your business activity and where you’re starting from.
We’ll help define what comes next.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Service scope and provider responsibilities are agreed before engagement. Government decisions, banking approvals and completion dates are not guaranteed.
Sources reviewed: 11 September 2026. View official references.