IFZA — Dubai
Very popular with digital service providers, e-commerce and consultants; competitive package pricing.
AE+971AED
Build your UAE company to match activity,market and residency goal.
We compare freezone and mainland, review licence activities, coordinate formation, corporate-tax registration and — on request — visas and ongoing compliance.
- 100 % foreign ownership in many activities
- Freezone and mainland selection
- Visa optional per package
01 / Who this jurisdiction fits
Who this jurisdiction fits
Who this jurisdiction fits
- Companies with a genuine Gulf market connection
- Founders combining residency and operational presence
- International trade or services with a matching licence
- Finance or holding structures after in-depth regulatory and substance review
When we advise against it or review in depth
- Anyone expecting 0 % tax without qualifying income and substance review
- Using a freezone as a letterbox without real business logic
- Regulated crypto, finance, health or education offerings without prior approval
- Anyone expecting a traditional bank account guaranteed without KYC evidence
02 / Options at a glance
Options at a glance
Meydan Free Zone — Dubai
Modern digital interface, suited to remote entrepreneurs and start-ups.
DMCC — Dubai
Premium prestige in JLT; suited to commodities, crypto (VARA-licensed) and international trading groups.
RAKEZ — Ras Al Khaimah
Maximum cost efficiency for production, e-commerce and international holdings.
ADGM — Abu Dhabi
World-class financial centre with an English common-law system for funds, fintechs and family offices.
DIFC — Dubai
Dubai's financial centre with its own common-law courts; regulated financial and holding structures.
Mainland — DED
Direct onshore trade across the UAE; relevant where customers, offices or tenders are onshore.
03 / How it works
How it works
- Step 1
Formation
Eligibility, KYC, documents, filing and register evidence.
- Step 2
Banking
Bank-readiness file, applications with bank or fintech, follow-up handling.
- Step 3
Ongoing operations
Compliance calendar, bookkeeping, filings, renewals and annual status report.
04 / Structure & requirements
Structure & requirements
| Topic | Practice |
|---|---|
| Forms | Freezone company or mainland LLC; ADGM and DIFC for special common-law and regulated structures |
| Ownership | 100 % foreign ownership is possible in many sectors; strategic activities may have special rules |
| Licence | Activity, emirate and zone determine licence, fees, office and visa quota |
| Address | Flexi desk or lease depending on zone and licence; an address alone does not create tax substance |
| Presence | Licence often remote; medical examination, biometrics and Emirates ID regularly require in-person steps |
| Renewal | Trade licence and related facilities are usually renewed annually |
05 / Formation process
Formation process
- Step 01Review business activity, customer location and regulatory classification
- Step 02Compare freezone, mainland or financial centre
- Step 03Prepare name and security check and licence application
- Step 04Complete formation documents and address or flexi desk
- Step 05Coordinate trade licence and corporate-tax registration
- Step 06Optional: establishment card, entry permit, medical, biometrics and Emirates ID
- Step 07Prepare bank and payment-provider file
- Step 08Activate VAT, audit and renewal calendar
06 / Tax & levies
Tax & levies
Ordinary taxable persons pay 0 % on the first AED 375,000 of taxable income and 9 % above.
Freezone companies do not automatically receive 0 %: only a Qualifying Free Zone Person can apply 0 % to qualifying income; non-qualifying income and permanent establishments can be taxed at 9 %. VAT registration becomes mandatory for UAE-resident businesses at AED 375,000 of taxable supplies and imports; voluntary from AED 187,500.
07 / Ongoing duties
Ongoing duties
- Renew trade licence and, where applicable, establishment card annually
- Corporate-tax registration and annual tax-return deadline
- Maintain bookkeeping and record-keeping duties
- VAT registration and returns where applicable
- Keep UBO and beneficial-owner data current
- Audit depending on zone, licence, bank, investors and tax status
- Manage visa, Emirates ID, health insurance and labour law separately
08 / Banking & payment providers
Banking & payment providers
Traditional banks review residency, Emirates ID, office, activity, contracts, revenue forecast and source of funds. Fintechs can be an alternative but are equally risk-based. Account opening is never a component that may be sold as guaranteed.
09 / Market price benchmark
Market price benchmark
| Cost block | Market observation | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Official entry point | Creative City Fujairah from AED 3,999 without visa | Official zone 2026 AE-5T1 |
| Market freezone + one visa | Often approx. AED 12,500–19,900 in visible packages | Shuraa 2026 AE-6T2 |
| Accounting entry level | Approx. AED 399–999 per month at low volumes | Public packages AE-7T2 AE-8T2 |
| Broad managed scope | Approx. AED 1,500–1,800 per month and more | Public providers AE-9T2 |
10 / Recommended packages
Recommended packages
Positioning recommendations per package. Government and partner costs are passed through and confirmed before any engagement.
Currency
* Indicative conversion — quotes are issued in the local currency with a validity date.
One-time setup
- 01One-time setup
Freezone Launch — no visa
fromAED 17,900one-time≈ $4,870 *Licence per defined zone and activity, address, documents, CT registration, bank readiness
- 02One-time setup
Freezone Launch — one visa
fromAED 24,900one-time≈ $6,780 *Launch plus establishment card and one standard visa process; in-person steps required
Monthly managed
- 03Monthly managed
Managed UAE
fromAED 1,290/ month≈ $351 *Bookkeeping up to 50 transactions, CT calendar, year-end preparation and renewal coordination
- 04Monthly managed
VAT & audit
Individual quoteVAT returns, audit and regulated requirements depending on case and zone
Quotes are confirmed after KYC, activity review and confirmation of local third-party costs. Complex ownership chains, regulated activities, additional shareholders, apostilles, translations, clean-up work and late filings are priced separately.
Data status: September 2026
11 / Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
01Does a freezone company always pay 0 % tax?
No. 0 % for freezones requires Qualifying Free Zone Person status and qualifying income. Other profits can be taxed at 9 %.
02Do I need a local partner?
100 % foreign ownership is possible in many activities. Strategic and regulated activities must be reviewed separately.
03Do I have to travel for the formation?
The licence can often be issued remotely. Residency visa, medical, biometrics and Emirates ID usually require in-person steps.
04Freezone or mainland?
It depends on customers, location, activity, office, visa and regulatory requirements. The cheapest licence price alone is not decisive.
05Is a flexi desk a real office?
Depending on the zone it satisfies the licence requirement. Bank, tax and operational substance may require more.
06When do I have to register for VAT?
For resident businesses generally from AED 375,000 of relevant taxable supplies and imports; voluntary from AED 187,500. Special cases must be reviewed.
07Do I need an audit?
Depending on freezone, licence, bank, shareholders and tax status an audit may be mandatory or practically required.
08Is a bank account guaranteed in the package?
No. We prepare the application and coordinate responses. The decision rests with the bank or fintech.
09What does the annual renewal cost?
It depends on zone, licence, activities, visas, address and authority changes. The exact renewal amount is confirmed before expiry.
10Can I trade anywhere in the UAE with a freezone company?
Not automatically. Direct mainland trade and individual activities may require additional licences, branches or distribution partners.
12 / Sources for this page
Sources for this page
T1 Primary sourceT2 Market benchmarkData status: September 2026
- AE-1UAE Ministry of Economy — 100 % company ownership ↗www.moec.gov.ae/en/-/100-company-ownershipT1
- AE-2UAE FTA — Corporate Tax General Guide ↗tax.gov.ae/DataFolder/Files/Guides/CT/CT%20General%20Guide%20-%20EN%20-%2010%2009%202023.pdfT1
- AE-3UAE FTA — Free Zone Persons Guide ↗tax.gov.ae/Datafolder/Files/Guides/CT/Free%20Zone%20Persons%20-%2020%2005%202024%20final%20for%20GCD.pdfT1
- AE-4UAE FTA — VAT Registration ↗tax.gov.ae/en/content/registration.for.vat.aspxT1
- AE-5Creative City Free Zone — Packages ↗creativecity.gov.ae/packages/T1
- AE-6Shuraa — Business setup packages ↗www.shuraa.com/business-setup-package/T2
- AE-7Taxspire — Accounting packages ↗www.taxspires.com/packages/T2
- AE-8TaxReady UAE — Packages ↗taxready.ae/packages/T2
- AE-9Simplified Tax UAE — Pricing ↗simplifiedtaxuae.com/pricingT2
Other jurisdictions
Other jurisdictions ↗US4.15/ 5
United States
Wyoming LLC · Delaware C-Corp · Florida LLC
View USA ↗SG4.05/ 5
Singapore
Private Limited Company (Pte. Ltd.)
View Singapore ↗HK4.00/ 5
Hong Kong
Private Company Limited by Shares
View Hong Kong ↗CH3.10/ 5
Switzerland
GmbH · AG — Zug, Schwyz, Zurich, Nidwalden
View Switzerland ↗Start eligibility check for United Arab Emirates
Start with the free eligibility check. You receive a scoring result, the risks and a recommended route — before any quote is issued.
Pricing ↗Free of charge. No quote is issued before the check.Data status: September 2026