You can set up your business either as a mainland company or as a freezone company.

There are many benefits of choosing for each one. 

Company formation may take from one week to a month, depending on the type of business and the legal formalities. if you are new to the system when starting the application process. Our expertise can help cut it short to as low as three days.

The procedures for business incorporation in the UAE are subject to the requirements of each emirate. However, in general, businesses are incorporated in the UAE through one of two options:

The process of incorporating a commercial business in the UAE goes through a series of steps that include the following:

• Identify the nature of the activity.
• Determine the legal structure.
• Register the trade name.
• Request for initial approval.
• Obtain a security clearance.
• Choose the location or address of the commercial activity.
• Obtain additional government approvals.
• Submit documents and pay the required fees.

There are no taxes imposed on companies or on income in the UAE. However, the Corporate Tax Law will be effective from 1 June 2023 with a headline rate of 9%.

As for fees, they vary from one emirate to another, depending on the nature of the intended activity and the type of license to be issued.

The Commercial Companies Law does not require a partner or a manager of a limited liability company to be a resident of the UAE.

Companies and investors of various nationalities may have full ownership of all economic activities in accordance with the activities identified by the competent local authorities and the list of strategic impact activities.

Companies and investors of various nationalities may assume ownership of all legal structures mentioned in the Commercial Companies Law, namely public joint stock companies, private joint stock companies, limited liability companies, limited partnership companies, and partnership companies.

No, a UAE national agent is not required to be appointed by foreign companies wishing to conduct their activities within the UAE.

It is not a requirement for the Chairman and the majority of Board members to be Emirati nationals, with due consideration to the requirement set by the Council of Ministers or the competent authority, pursuant to Article (10) regarding strategic impact activities.

Yes, a single natural or legal person may incorporate and own a limited liability company; and shall not be liable for its obligations, except to the extent of the capital stated in the articles of incorporation, while being subject to the provisions applicable to limited liability companies.

• Obtaining initial approval.
• Completing the registration form and reserving a trade name.
• Copy of the ID.
• Copy of the passport of the responsible manager and a no-objection letter from his current sponsor.
• Approval of other government entities, depending on the activity.
• Board resolution for establishing the branch and appointing the manager.
• Copy of the articles of incorporation and commercial registration, attested by the UAE embassy and the Ministry of Foreign.

There is no maximum limit.

• A deposit of at least two million dirhams (AED 2,000,000) in an investment fund inside the UAE;
• Establishing a company in the UAE with a capital of not less than two million dirhams (AED 2,000,000); or partnering in an existing/new company with a financial contribution of not less than two million dirhams (AED 2,000,000);
• Being the owner of an establishment/company that pays the taxes imposed upon it by the federal government at a value of not less than two hundred and fifty thousand dirhams (AED 250,000) annually;
• Being a partner in an establishment/company that pays the taxes imposed upon it by the federal government while maintaining a contribution of his share in the said company, equivalent to at least two hundred and fifty thousand dirhams (AED 250,000) from the paid annually; or
• Retaining the investment for at least two years from the date of visa issuance.