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Dubai · United Arab Emirates

Build in the UAE.
Move with clarity.

ConsultZone structures company formation, licensing, visas, approvals and banking into one carefully managed route — so your business begins on solid ground.

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Mainland, Freezone & Offshore Government approvals Banking advisory
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Authorized channel partners
across UAE
  • International Free Zone Authority IFZA
  • Dubai Multi Commodities Centre DMCC
  • Jebel Ali Free Zone JAFZA
  • Dubai International Financial Centre DIFC
  • Abu Dhabi Global Market ADGM
  • Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone RAKEZ
  • Sharjah Media City SHAMS
  • DUQE Free Zone DUQE
  • Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi KEZAD
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Why structure comes first

Most businesses in the UAE are not limited by ambition. They are limited by decisions made in the first thirty days.

Legal form, activity code, ownership split and jurisdiction are all fixed in that first month — and every one of them is expensive to unwind afterwards.

The licence is the visible part of company formation, and the least consequential. What determines whether a business can hire, invoice, bank and expand is the set of choices made before it is issued — legal form, activity classification, ownership structure, jurisdiction, share capital and visa allocation.

Those choices interlock. An activity chosen for convenience can exclude you from a corporate bank account. A jurisdiction chosen for price can prevent you from bidding for government contracts. A shareholding arrangement chosen quickly can complicate every future funding round.

ConsultZone works the other way around. We start from how you intend to operate — who you sell to, where they are, who signs, how money moves — and derive the structure from that. The licence is the output, not the starting point.

It is a slower first conversation and a considerably faster route to a business that actually functions. Corrections after the fact — activity amendments, jurisdiction migrations, restructuring — cost far more than getting the sequence right.

  1. 01

    The licence is the last decision, not the first

    What decides whether a business can hire, invoice, bank and expand is settled before it is issued: legal form, activity, ownership, jurisdiction, share capital and visas.

  2. 02

    Those choices interlock

    An activity chosen for convenience can cost you a corporate bank account. A jurisdiction chosen for price can cost you government contracts.

  3. 03

    We start from how you intend to operate

    Who you sell to, where they are, who signs, how money moves — and the structure follows from that. Corrections afterwards cost far more.

21+ Free zones across the seven emirates
2,000+ Licensable business activities
100% Foreign ownership on most activities
9% Corporate tax above AED 375,000 net profit
0% Income tax
Storm light over the Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai

21+ free zones. Two thousand activities. One structure that fits what you actually do.

Dubai · United Arab Emirates

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01

Mainland company

Onshore · DET licensed

A company licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism, able to trade anywhere in the UAE and internationally without a local distributor.

Best for
Retail, contracting, professional services, and any business selling directly to the UAE market or bidding for government work
Ownership
100% foreign ownership on the majority of commercial and professional activities
Premises
Physical office or Ejari-recorded space required; visa quota is tied to floor area
Consider
Higher recurring cost than a free zone; some activities still require an Emirati service agent
02

Free zone company

Zone licensed · 21+ jurisdictions

A company established inside a designated economic zone, each with its own incorporating authority, activity list, visa allocation and cost base.

Best for
Trading, consultancy, technology, media, logistics and holding structures serving regional or international clients
Ownership
100% foreign ownership across all zones, with full profit repatriation
Premises
Flexi-desk through to warehousing; visa allocation scales with the package selected
Consider
Selling directly into the mainland market requires a distributor or a mainland branch
03

Offshore company

Non-resident · Holding

A non-resident vehicle for holding assets, shares or intellectual property. It is not a trading licence and carries no visa entitlement.

Best for
Asset holding, property ownership in designated areas, group structuring and succession planning
Ownership
100% foreign ownership; nominee and corporate shareholders permitted
Premises
A licensed corporate agent’s address only — no physical premises, no residency
Consider
Cannot trade within the UAE or sponsor visas; banking requires clear substance and source of funds
Regulated & specialist

Some activities are approved before they are licensed.

Financial services, virtual assets, insurance and a handful of other activities are not licensed on application. A sector regulator assesses you first — your people, your capital, your controls — and the licence follows its decision. That reverses the order everything else on this page describes, and it is why a regulated venture cannot be planned on an ordinary formation timeline.

Two formation sequences compared. An ordinary activity runs trade name, then licence, then launch. A regulated activity inserts a regulator's approval before the licence, and that approval can return the application for more information before it is granted. ORDINARY ACTIVITY Trade name reserved Licence issued Launch REGULATED ACTIVITY Trade name reserved Regulator assesses and approves Licence follows the approval Launch

Ordinary activity

  1. Trade name reserved
  2. Licence issued
  3. Launch

Regulated activity

  1. Trade name reserved
  2. Regulator assesses and approves
  3. Licence follows the approval
  4. Launch

The gate is the difference. It is assessed rather than processed, it can return your file more than once, and nothing downstream of it can be scheduled until it clears.

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  • Dubai
    DIFC

    Dubai International Financial Centre

    Its own civil and commercial law

    A financial free zone with its own courts and its own rulebook, sitting outside UAE civil law.

    Assessed by
    Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA)
    Typically
    Asset managers, advisers, payment providers, funds
  • Abu Dhabi
    ADGM

    Abu Dhabi Global Market

    English common law, applied directly

    Adopts English common law as it stands rather than adapting it, which is why holding structures favour it.

    Assessed by
    Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA)
    Typically
    Funds, holding structures, fintech, private wealth
  • Dubai-wide
    VARA

    Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority

    A permission on top of your licence

    Not a jurisdiction you move into. It supervises virtual asset activity wherever you sit in Dubai, activity by activity.

    Assessed by
    Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA)
    Typically
    Exchanges, custody, broker-dealers, advisory
Contact Us

The engagement

Six stages, sequenced so nothing doubles back.

Delays in UAE company formation are rarely caused by the authorities. They are caused by steps taken out of order — a name reserved before the activity is settled, a licence issued before the bank is consulted.

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  1. 01

    Commercial discovery

    We map what the business actually does — customers, contract flow, where revenue is invoiced from, headcount plans and the founders' residency intentions.

    Day 1
  2. 02

    Activity & structure

    Activity codes are selected against the register, legal form is fixed, and the jurisdiction is chosen as a consequence of both — not before them.

    Days 2–4
  3. 03

    Name & initial approval

    Trade name reservation and initial approval are filed, with external approvals identified at this point rather than discovered later.

    Days 4–7
  4. 04

    Documentation & licence

    The licence is issued upon submission of all required company and shareholder documents, attestations, premises evidence and founders' passports, plus proof of address and a business plan where required.

    Days 7–14
  5. 05

    Establishment & visas

    Establishment card, immigration file, entry permits, medical, Emirates ID and residence stamping — coordinated for founders and staff together.

    Days 14–30
  6. 06

    Banking & compliance

    Corporate account introduction, corporate tax and VAT positions, accounting setup and any AML obligations attaching to your activity.

    Days 30–60

Timelines assume complete documentation and no external approval. Regulated activities — financial services, healthcare, virtual assets — run to their own regulatory calendar.

External approvals

The licence is rarely the only signature you need.

Certain activities require clearance from a body other than the licensing authority. Identifying these at the structuring stage — not at submission — is the single largest determinant of how long formation takes.

Federal

These bind you in every emirate. Changing jurisdiction does not change the requirement.

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  • Ministry of Health and Prevention

    Health facility licensing, medical devices and pharmaceutical product approvals.

    Applies when You import, certify or sell a medical device, medicine or supplement.

  • Central Bank of the UAE

    Payment services, money exchange, finance companies and stored-value facilities.

    Applies when You hold, move or store other people's money at any point.

  • Ministry of Economy and Tourism

    Commercial agencies, intellectual property and DNFBP supervision.

    Applies when You deal in precious metals or stones, or act as a corporate service provider.

  • Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority

    Telecommunications, data infrastructure and regulated digital services.

    Applies when You operate network infrastructure or a regulated communications service.

Dubai

Emirate-level. Each other emirate runs its own equivalent, and the requirement does not travel with you.

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  • Dubai Municipality

    Food handling, cosmetics, product approvals and premises inspection.

    Applies when Any premises where food is stored, prepared or served.

  • Dubai Health Authority

    Clinics, pharmacies, practitioners and clinical facilities in Dubai.

    Applies when A person will be treated, diagnosed or prescribed for on your premises.

  • Roads and Transport Authority

    Transport, vehicle rental, driving institutes and delivery fleets.

    Applies when A vehicle carries your goods, your passengers or your branding.

  • Knowledge and Human Development Authority

    Schools, training institutes and early learning centres.

    Applies when You teach, examine or issue any form of certificate.

  • Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority

    Virtual asset issuance, exchange, custody, brokerage and advisory.

    Applies when You touch a virtual asset on a customer's behalf, in any capacity.

  • Dubai Land Department / RERA

    Brokerage, property management, owners' associations and escrow.

    Applies when You market, manage or hold money against Dubai property.

  • Dubai Civil Defence

    Fire and life safety clearance for premises and industrial facilities.

    Applies when You fit out a unit, or store anything in volume.

  • Dubai Customs

    Importer and exporter codes, clearance and bonded movement.

    Applies when Goods cross a border in either direction, including re-export.

These 12 are the bodies we meet most often. They are not the whole list, and which of them applies is decided by the activity you file — not by how you describe your business.

Have your activity assessed

Beyond formation

Two capabilities most founders need within the first year.

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A desk with a laptop, calculator and printed financial charts Finvisors — tax consultants, a Consult Zone group company

Tax & Financial Advisory

Corporate tax is no longer optional. VAT depends on your turnover.

Corporate tax applies at 9% on net profit above AED 375,000, with net profit up to that threshold exempt, and VAT enrolment obligations attach at defined turnover thresholds. Both carry filing deadlines and penalties that begin from your first financial period.

  • Corporate tax assessment, grouping and filing position
  • VAT applicability, thresholds and periodic returns
  • Transfer pricing and related-party documentation
  • Bookkeeping, management accounts and statutory audit
  • Economic substance and beneficial ownership obligations
Explore tax & financial advisory
Rows of sand-coloured villas with rooftop plant and walled gardens in a Dubai community, seen from above Consulthome capability

Real Estate & Property Investment

Property decisions and corporate decisions are the same decision.

Where you hold property, under which entity, and how it is financed affects your tax position, your visa eligibility and your ability to exit. We advise on both sides of that at once.

  • Investment consultation and market analysis
  • Residential, commercial and off-plan acquisition
  • Holding structures for property ownership
  • Mortgage guidance and financing routes
  • Leasing, letting and portfolio management
  • Legal documentation and transaction support
Explore property services

Ongoing support

What continues after the licence is issued.

A licence is a start date, not a finish line. Ten standing disciplines keep the company compliant, staffed, banked and audited. They are grouped below by how often each one actually falls due.

An advisor handing a key and a ConsultZone document folio to a client in a lobby at dusk, the Dubai skyline behind them An advisor in a blue suit resting a finger on an open printed file at a polished desk while holding a phone to his ear

Continuous

Running every month of the licence year.

  • PRO services

    Government liaison, licence renewals, immigration filings and document processing handled as a standing function rather than ad hoc.

    DET · GDRFA · MOHRE

  • Human resources

    Employment contracts, WPS payroll, labour file management and MOHRE compliance for every person on the establishment card.

    MOHRE · WPS

  • Audit & accounting

    Bookkeeping, management reporting, statutory audit and financial statements to the standard your licence and your bank require.

    IFRS · FTA

Annual

Falls due on the licence anniversary, on a fixed cycle.

  • Visa services

    Investor, partner and employee residence visas, dependants, medical screening, Emirates ID and status changes.

    GDRFA · ICP

On demand

Dormant until a deal, a hire or a shipment calls for it.

  • Banking advisory

    Account introductions matched to your activity and structure, with the substance evidence banks expect prepared in advance.

    UAE banks

  • Document attestation

    Notarisation, embassy and MOFA attestation for corporate and personal documents used in the UAE or abroad.

    MOFA · Embassy

  • Legal translation

    Certified translation accepted by UAE courts, ministries and licensing authorities.

    Ministry of Justice

  • Product approvals

    Clearance for regulated goods — food, cosmetics, medical devices, electronics — before they reach customs or shelves.

    Municipality · MOHAP

Closing the file

The end of a company is as procedural as its start.

  • Company liquidation

    Orderly closure — licence cancellation, immigration file closure, creditor clearances and final strike-off.

    Licensing authority · GDRFA

Need something this list does not name?

Ask about it directly

Client perspective

Trusted when the details matter.

The team helped us understand the business setup process, documentation, visas and Emirates ID with a professional and flawless approach.
Amir ShehzadGoogle review
Professional, fast follow-up, fast email replies and fast execution. A highly supportive experience from beginning to end.
Amer GhandourGoogle review
An exceptional experience setting up my company in Dubai. Francisco showed a level of professionalism that is hard to find — always quick to respond and extremely efficient.
Fabio AlonsoGoogle review
I have dealt with Consult Zone for over two years now — very knowledgeable and reliable. I would highly recommend their service to anyone.
Tony WijesekaraGoogle review

Common questions

Answered plainly.

If your question is not here, a consultant will answer it directly rather than route you to a brochure.

Ask a consultant
How long does it take to establish a company in the UAE?

A straightforward free zone company with complete documentation and no external approval is typically licensed within seven to fourteen days. Mainland formation usually runs slightly longer because premises and Ejari evidence are required. Visas and the corporate bank account add a further two to six weeks. Regulated activities — financial services, healthcare, virtual assets — follow their regulator's own timetable and should be planned in months rather than weeks.

Can I own 100% of my company as a foreign national?

Yes, in the overwhelming majority of cases. All free zones permit full foreign ownership, and following amendments to the Commercial Companies Law, most mainland commercial and professional activities do as well. A limited set of strategic-impact activities still requires Emirati participation or a local service agent. Which category your activity falls into is confirmed against the register before the structure is fixed.

What does business setup in Dubai actually cost?

There is no single figure, and any firm quoting one without asking about your activity is guessing. Cost is driven by jurisdiction, activity classification, number of visas, premises type and whether external approvals apply. A single-visa free zone consultancy sits at the lower end; a mainland company with physical premises, staff visas and regulated activity sits considerably higher. We quote against your actual requirements after the structuring conversation.

Mainland or free zone — which should I choose?

It follows from who your customers are. If you sell directly to UAE-based customers, hold government contracts, or need retail premises, mainland is usually correct. If you serve regional or international clients, or operate in consultancy, technology, media or trading with re-export, a free zone is generally more efficient. Free zone companies can still access the mainland market through a distributor or a mainland branch.

Do I need to be in the UAE to establish a company?

Not for the formation itself. Most free zones accept remote incorporation with notarised and attested documents, and many now support digital signing. Physical presence is generally required later — for medical testing, Emirates ID biometrics and, in most cases, for the bank's account-opening interview.

Will my company pay corporate tax?

UAE corporate tax applies at 9% on net profit above AED 375,000, with net profit up to that threshold exempt. Qualifying free zone persons may access a 0% rate on qualifying income, subject to substance requirements and the qualifying activity conditions. Corporate tax enrolment with the Federal Tax Authority is required regardless of whether tax is ultimately payable, so the position should be established at formation rather than at the first filing deadline.

How difficult is opening a corporate bank account?

It is the stage most often underestimated. UAE banks apply substantive compliance review — business model, source of funds, counterparty geographies, expected transaction volumes and the shareholders' own profiles. Applications fail most often for mismatch between the licensed activity and the business actually described. Aligning the activity, structure and banking narrative before the licence is issued materially improves the outcome.

What is a third-party approval and will I need one?

It is a clearance required from a body other than your licensing authority — Dubai Municipality for food handling, DHA or MOHAP for anything clinical, RTA for transport, KHDA for education, VARA for virtual assets. Whether one applies is determined by your activity code, not by your business name or intentions. This is why activity selection precedes jurisdiction selection.

Begin with a clear conversation

Tell us what you intend to build.

A consultant will map the structure, jurisdiction, approvals and likely cost against what you actually described — not against a package.

Sending this records your enquiry with us, emails it to our advisory team and adds it to our client record system. We reply within one business day.

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