Company Formation · Dubai

Business Setup in Dubai & Company Formation

Set up with 100% foreign ownership in a free zone or on the mainland. From trade license and registration to your UAE residence visa, Emirates ID, and corporate bank account, one team handles it end to end.

Licensed CSP
50+ yrs combined experience
15+ jurisdictions

Business Bay skyline in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Setup time: 5-15 business days
Foreign ownership: 100% (most activities)
Min. capital: Often none (varies by zone)
Entity types: Free zone · Mainland · Branch
Residence visa: Yes (UAE residence + Emirates ID)
Corporate tax: 0% up to AED 375k, 9% above. 0% for QFZP.

Free zone vs mainland: which is right for you?

The two main routes to a Dubai company, side by side. We help you pick based on your activity, market, and budget.

	Free Zone	Mainland (DET)
Foreign ownership	100%	100% for most activities
UAE market access	Via a distributor or customs clearance	Direct across the UAE
Corporate tax	0% on qualifying income (QFZP conditions)	9% above the threshold
Office	Flexi-desk or virtual options	Physical office (Ejari)
Setup speed (indicative)	3 to 10 business days	7 to 15 business days
Best for	Holding, trading, services, cost efficiency	Direct UAE trade, retail, government work

Setting up onshore only? Our dedicated guide to Dubai mainland company formation walks through the full DET trade license process, Ejari office registration, and the 100% foreign ownership rules in detail.

Note: Costs are indicative and may change with your requirements and regulations. Contact us for a tailored quote.

Why Choose Dubai for Company Formation?

Dubai offers numerous advantages for international businesses, making it a top global destination for investment and entrepreneurship:

Strategic Location. Gateway between East and West, with access to markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia

Tax Benefits. No personal income tax, 0% corporate tax on qualifying free zone income, and an extensive treaty network

100% Foreign Ownership. Available in all free zones and for most mainland business activities

World-Class Infrastructure. Modern facilities, excellent connectivity, and a business-friendly environment

Residence Visas. Company formation enables UAE residence visas and Emirates ID for shareholders, directors, and employees

Banking Excellence. Access to international banking services and stable financial institutions

Specialized Free Zones. 27 Dubai free zones tailored to specific industries, from finance to logistics and media

Global Connectivity. One of the world’s busiest airports and a major re-export hub linking three continents

Company Formation Options in Dubai

Free Zone Company

Min. capital: Often none (varies by zone)
Shareholders: 1 or more
Best for: Most foreign investors, 100% ownership, tax-efficient setup

Mainland LLC

Min. capital: No fixed minimum (varies by activity)
Shareholders: 1 or more
Best for: Direct UAE market access and a wider range of activities

Branch Office

Min. capital: None required
Shareholders: Parent-owned
Best for: Foreign companies establishing a UAE presence

Offshore Company

Min. capital: Varies
Shareholders: 1 or more
Best for: Holding structures and international business

Key Business Districts and Free Zones

Downtown & Business Bay

Central business district. Ideal for corporate headquarters, professional services, and client-facing operations.

Jumeirah Lakes Towers (DMCC)

Leading free zone for trading, commodities, and general business, with cost-effective setup.

Jebel Ali (JAFZA)

Port-adjacent zone for manufacturing, logistics, and distribution, with warehouse access.

Note: Costs are indicative and may change with your requirements and regulations. Contact us for a tailored quote.

Business Licensing in Dubai

Business licensing in Dubai runs through two main tracks. Free zone companies are licensed by their respective free zone authority (DMCC, DIFC, IFZA, JAFZA, and others), each with its own registrar and activity list. Mainland companies are registered and licensed through the Department of Economy and Tourism (DED/DET). After incorporation, businesses register for VAT and Corporate Tax with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) where applicable, complete UBO filings, and arrange residence visas and Emirates ID for their team.

Common Business License Types

Commercial License. Trading, wholesale, retail, and import/export operations.

Professional / Service License. Consulting, IT, legal, marketing, and other advisory services, often allowing 100% foreign ownership.

Industrial License. Manufacturing and production, often with coordination for warehouse or factory space.

Free Zone License. Issued by a specific free zone authority (DMCC, DIFC, IFZA, JAFZA), with 100% ownership and zone-specific activities.

Financial Services License. Regulated activities in DIFC under the DFSA, for banks, investment firms, and fintech.

E-commerce License. Online retail and digital trading, available across several free zones and mainland.

Core Requirements and Documents

Identity documents: certified and attested passport copies for all shareholders and directors, valid for at least six months
Proof of address and standing: a recent utility bill or bank statement, plus bank reference letters where the chosen free zone requires them
Activity and approvals: a business plan or activity description, an NOC from any current UAE sponsor, and any industry-specific approvals for regulated activities

Last reviewed: June 2026. Reflects current UAE free zone, DET mainland, and Corporate Tax requirements.

Company Formation Process in Dubai

From choosing your free zone or mainland jurisdiction to trade license, residence visas, and bank account, here is the step-by-step path.

Choose Jurisdiction, Structure, and Activity

We assess whether one of Dubai's free zones (DMCC, DIFC, JAFZA, IFZA, Dubai South, and others), each licensed by its own free zone authority, or a mainland company licensed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DED) best fits your activity, market access, and visa needs. We confirm the correct activity codes and advise on structure, shareholding, and license type.

Reserve the Trade Name and Secure Initial Approval

We reserve a compliant trade name and obtain initial approval to proceed: from DET for a mainland company, or from the relevant free zone authority for a free zone company. Where the activity is regulated, we also obtain the required external approvals from the competent UAE authority before licensing.

Draft the Constitutional Documents and Register the Office

We prepare the Memorandum of Association (and shareholder/board resolutions). For a mainland LLC the MOA is notarised before the Dubai Courts / Notary Public, and a physical office is registered through Ejari. A free zone company executes its constitution with the free zone registrar and takes a flexi-desk or office under the zone's lease, which doubles as its registered address.

Obtain the Trade License and Establishment Card

We submit the full application (attested passport copies, proof of address, bank references, and the constitutional documents) and manage issuance of the trade license and company registration. We then secure the establishment (immigration) card, issued by GDRFA Dubai for mainland entities or via the free zone, which opens your visa quota.

Process Residence Visas and Emirates ID

We handle the entry permit, change of status, medical fitness test, and biometrics, then the residence visa (through GDRFA Dubai) and the Emirates ID (issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, the ICP) for shareholders, directors, and staff within your license's visa allocation.

Open the Bank Account and Set Up Compliance

We provide corporate bank account opening advisory across UAE banks, then register the company with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) for Corporate Tax, and for VAT where the activity or turnover requires it, and complete UBO filing with the licensing authority so you are compliant from day one.

Total time5-15 business days (indicative)

Have questions about the process?

Our experts are here to guide you through each step and answer your questions.

Why Choose AURNÉ for Dubai Company Formation?

Our Dubai-based team combines local expertise with international standards:

Local Presence. Our office in Dubai provides direct access to free zone authorities and government departments

Established Relationships. Strong relationships with free zone authorities ensure efficient processing and problem solving

Comprehensive Service. End-to-end support from initial consultation to ongoing compliance and expansion

Regulatory Expertise. Deep understanding of UAE regulations, ESR, UBO requirements, and tax obligations

Multi-Jurisdiction Experience. Experience across multiple Dubai free zones and mainland setups to find your perfect fit

Integrated Solutions. Company formation combined with accounting, tax, and compliance services under one roof

Company Formation in Dubai - Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about forming a company in Dubai, free zones and mainland, licensing, tax, visas, and compliance requirements.

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Company Formation · Dubai

Business Setup in Dubai & Company Formation

Licensed CSP
50+ yrs combined experience
15+ jurisdictions

Setup time: 5-15 business days
Foreign ownership: 100% (most activities)
Min. capital: Often none (varies by zone)
Entity types: Free zone · Mainland · Branch
Residence visa: Yes (UAE residence + Emirates ID)
Corporate tax: 0% up to AED 375k, 9% above. 0% for QFZP.

Free zone vs mainland: which is right for you?

The two main routes to a Dubai company, side by side. We help you pick based on your activity, market, and budget.

	Free Zone	Mainland (DET)
Foreign ownership	100%	100% for most activities
UAE market access	Via a distributor or customs clearance	Direct across the UAE
Corporate tax	0% on qualifying income (QFZP conditions)	9% above the threshold
Office	Flexi-desk or virtual options	Physical office (Ejari)
Setup speed (indicative)	3 to 10 business days	7 to 15 business days
Best for	Holding, trading, services, cost efficiency	Direct UAE trade, retail, government work