Corporate Structuring
Company Formation
in Dubai, UAE
Free Zone or mainland — we identify the right structure for your business, prepare the documents, and register your company in the UAE with a clear route to a corporate bank account afterwards.
Find out which structure fits your business
UAE company formation means obtaining a trade licence in one of the free economic zones (Free Zone) or on the mainland, giving you the right to do business, open a corporate bank account and sponsor employee visas. It suits entrepreneurs launching a new business, existing companies entering the UAE and GCC market, and investors who need a structure to hold assets.
Updated: 21 September 2026Reviewed by Alena Makhnovskaya, Co-Founder · Head of Advisory, OmniTrust AE
Free Zone Company Formation
Free Zones offer 100% foreign ownership, streamlined online registration and a licence package matched to your business activity and visa needs.
Ownership & Registration
100% foreign ownership. Registration in most Free Zones, including IFZA, is typically completed in 3–4 business days, fully online.
Cost
From AED 12,900 for a licence package (e.g. IFZA). The final cost depends on the business activity, number of visas and office requirements.
Trading Scope
Free Zone companies generally cannot trade directly in the local UAE market without an additional distributor or a mainland licence.
Dubai Mainland Company Formation
A mainland licence, issued via DED/DET, allows a company to operate across the whole UAE and bid on government contracts.
Ownership & Registration
100% foreign ownership is available for most business activities since 2021. Registration typically takes 1 to 3 weeks, accounting for trade name approval, activity approval and office lease.
Cost
From AED 24,000 for registration via DED/DET. A physical office registered with Ejari is required, adding costs beyond the government fees.
Trading Scope
Can operate across the UAE and bid on government contracts — the main reason clients choose mainland over Free Zone.
Comparing Jurisdictions
Which Structure Should You Choose?
A quick look at the key differences — we'll review your specific case in a consultation.
| Criterion | Free Zone | Mainland |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign ownership | Free Zone100% | Mainland100% for most business activities since 2021 |
| Registration cost | Free Zonefrom AED 12,900 | Mainlandfrom AED 24,000 |
| Office requirement | Free ZoneNot mandatory for many packages | MainlandA physical office is required |
| Doing business | Free ZoneRestrictions on direct trading in the local UAE market | MainlandCan operate across the UAE and bid on government contracts |
| Visa quota | Free ZoneDepends on the licence package | MainlandDepends on office size |
Figures are based on public sources and current IFZA packages — the exact cost depends on the business activity and is calculated individually in a consultation.
Business Activities and Licensing
Each licence covers one or more approved business activities, selected from the regulator's activity list — Free Zone and DED/DET activity codes differ and determine what the company can legally do.
UAE Residence Visa
The company type and licence package determine the visa quota — the number of visas available for the owner, employees and family members. Personal presence for Free Zone registration is usually not required; for mainland companies and for obtaining an Emirates ID under a residency visa, an in-person visit is required at certain stages (biometrics).
Corporate Bank Account After Registration
Once the trade licence is issued, the next step is opening a corporate bank account. See our dedicated Corporate Bank Account Opening guide, or the combined Company Formation + Bank Account process if you're starting both at once.
Required Documents
- Passport copies of shareholders and, where applicable, managers
- Proof of the source of funds for the investment
- A description of the intended business activity
- For mainland companies — an office lease agreement (Ejari) at the licensing stage
Company Formation Timeline
IFZA and most Free Zones — 3–4 business days, fully online. Mainland — 1 to 3 weeks, accounting for trade name approval, activity approval and office lease.
Company Formation Costs
Free Zone — from AED 12,900 for a licence package (e.g. IFZA); mainland — from AED 24,000 for registration via DED/DET. The final cost depends on the business activity, number of visas and office requirements. Our professional fee is quoted individually in a consultation.
Corporate Tax and VAT
Since June 2023, the UAE applies a 9% federal corporate tax on profit above AED 375,000 per year; profit below that threshold is taxed at 0%. Companies in qualifying Free Zones can retain a 0% rate if they meet the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions. UAE VAT is 5% and applies depending on the business activity.
Last checked: September 2026. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances — confirm your position with a tax adviser before relying on it.
How the Process Works
From Consultation to Your Bank Account
- 1
Consultation and choosing a jurisdiction
We review your business activity and visa plans, and identify Free Zone or mainland.
- 2
Trade name and activity approval
We check name availability and get the activity code approved by the regulator.
- 3
Preparing incorporation documents
We prepare the articles, memorandum of association and the rest of the package.
- 4
Filing and paying government fees
We submit the documents and pay the government licensing fees.
- 5
Trade licence issued
We collect the finished licence and the company's incorporation documents.
- 6
Opening a corporate bank account
We submit a corporate account application to suitable banks and support the client through the compliance review.
- 7
Visa processing, if needed
Within the company's visa quota, we process residency visas for the owner, employees and, where needed, family members.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Matters About Company Formation
Yes, registration in most Free Zones, including IFZA, is done fully online. Mainland registration can in some cases also be handled remotely through a power of attorney, but a final visit may be required to open a bank account or obtain an Emirates ID.
There's no direct "transfer" of a licence between jurisdictions — you would need to close the current structure and register a new mainland company, or open an additional mainland branch. We discuss the optimal scenario individually.
No, since 2021, 100% foreign ownership is available for most business activities in both Free Zones and mainland. A local partner requirement remains only for a limited number of strategic activities.
Once the trade licence is issued, we prepare a KYC file covering the business activity, expected turnover and source of funds, and submit the application to suitable banks. See our dedicated Corporate Bank Account Opening guide.
Related Services
Corporate Bank Account Opening
Learn more →Company + Bank Account
Learn more →Free Zone IFZA
Learn more →UAE Company Formation for Foreign Entrepreneurs
Read the guide →Контакты
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