Company Formation in Dubai

Expect to budget beyond the license fee for the office, visas, Chamber of Commerce, and tax registrations. Each visa also brings medical, Emirates ID, and insurance costs. Free zones usually come in cheaper than the mainland for a single-visa setup. We have formed 2,000+ companies since 2013. Book a scoping call and we’ll give you the full breakdown before you commit.

Mainland is the direct route if you sell across the UAE. Free zones work better for international clients and come in at lower cost. Visa quota depends on your licensing package. Some activities only exist in specific free zones. We work across mainland DET and 12 free zones. Book a 20-minute scoping call and we’ll match your activity to the right route.

Banks reject when your UBO documents are weak or your licensed activity doesn’t match your real business. They also check source of funds, transaction flow, and shareholder profile. We prepare your UBO register ahead of time. We align the licence activity with how you really operate. We also introduce you to banks that actively onboard new UAE companies.

Dubai welcomes investors with open hands. One of the most developed cities in the world, business in Dubai offers unparalleled possibilities. The tax regulations, legalities and other official norms are formulated in such a manner to support the investors. The extremely well developed and planned infrastructure gives you ample possibilities to prosper.

The visa requirements will depend on the type of business formation:

• A mainland company will require a resident visa for the management and other responsible members. Then only you can recruit employees to your company.
• The size of the Free Zone company will be evaluated by the governmental agencies prior to issuing a visa for its staff.
• An offshore establishment holder does not need a resident visa.

Yes, the trade licence itself can be issued while you are abroad. Shareholder documents, MOA signing, and licence fees can all be handled remotely. The residence visa is the one piece that needs a short Dubai visit for biometrics and Emirates ID. We sequence the formation first and plan your trip around the visa stage. Share your passport and we can start the file today.

Basher works well for simple mainland licences, around 15 minutes if eligible. Full-service is faster for complex cases. Think external approvals, DIFC, ADGM, or a bank account from day one. We have walked 2,000+ formations to a working licence since 2013. Tell us your activity in one line and we’ll flag whether Basher is enough or you need full-service.

Yes, in most cases. 100% foreign ownership is now permitted for most Dubai mainland commercial activities. A short list of strategic sectors still has extra conditions, including defense and banking. Free zones generally allow full foreign ownership from day one. Share your activity and nationality. We’ll confirm your ownership options across the mainland and the 12 free zones we work with.

Mainland companies pay 0% up to AED 375,000 of taxable income and 9% above that threshold. Free-zone companies with qualifying income can get a 0% rate, but the conditions are strict. Non-qualifying income earned by a free-zone company is taxed at 9%, without the AED 375,000 threshold. Share your activity and client mix, and our accountants will map your tax exposure before you commit.

It depends on your activity and documents. Simple cases register via Basher in about 15 minutes. Regulated activities take longer because they need external approvals. Financial services, healthcare, and education are the common ones. DIFC and ADGM formations also run longer than general free zones. Send us your activity list and we’ll give you a realistic schedule within 24 hours.

With RAG Global Business Hub, company formation in Dubai Mainland can take less than 72 hours, however, it is necessary that you have the right documents at hand.

Being trusted partners with over 18 years of association with the Department of Economic Development in Dubai, we can establish businesses in the UAE in just three days. Company formation in UAE free zones can take anywhere between 3–10 days.

Most UAE licences need some form of registered address. Mainland formations usually need an Ejari-registered office when the licence is issued. Free-zone licences allow a flexi-desk, smart office, or shared workspace, depending on the licence tier you pick. Visa quota tracks with office tier. We run three Dubai business centres and can set up your office alongside your licence in one go.

Yes. Recent Dubai rules let a free-zone company operate on the mainland through a DET branch licence or temporary permit. You need prior approval from your free-zone authority. Financial firms licensed in DIFC are the one stated exclusion. We handle the branch registration end-to-end and map your activity list to the DET side. Share your current licence and we’ll scope the switch.