Business setup in the UAE, start to finish
Mainland, free zone and offshore formation, with the license, the visas and the bank account treated as one piece of work.
The license is the easy part
Anyone can file a trade license. The work that matters is choosing the jurisdiction that will still fit in three years, and closing out the visas, the bank account and the tax registration that follow it.
We scope your activity, your ownership structure and your visa needs first, then price the route in full: government fees and our fee, itemized. If a free zone serves you better than the mainland, we say so, even though the mainland file is worth more to us.
- Jurisdictions
- Mainland, free zone, offshore
- Typical timeline
- Days rather than weeks, for most free zone licenses
- Ownership
- Full foreign ownership, most activities
- Included
- License, establishment card, tax registration
Built for people moving something real
- Founders relocating to Dubai and sponsoring a family
- Investors holding UAE and international assets
- SMEs opening a regional branch or headquarters
- Consultants and professionals billing from the UAE
- Traders importing into or through the Emirates
- Companies restructuring an existing UAE license
Everything the file needs
- Jurisdiction and activity advice
- Trade name reservation
- Initial approval from the authority
- Memorandum of association and notarization
- Trade license issuance
- Establishment card and labour file
- Immigration and e channel registration
- Corporate tax registration
Bank account introductions, residence visas and accounting are quoted alongside the license so you see the full first year cost, not the headline figure.
Four ways in, one recommendation
Each route answers a different question about who you sell to and who owns the company. We recommend one, and we tell you why.
Free zone formation
Full foreign ownership, a license issued by the zone authority and, in most zones, no requirement to trade inside the UAE market. Suited to consultancies, holding companies and businesses that sell internationally. We match the activity to a zone rather than defaulting to the nearest one.
Mainland formation
A license from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism that lets you trade anywhere in the UAE, take government contracts and open branches. Full foreign ownership is permitted on most activities. A tenancy is required, though an approved flexi desk satisfies many activities.
Offshore formation
A holding structure with no UAE trading activity, a registered agent address and full foreign ownership. Used for holding assets and shares, for international structuring and, in some cases, for property in designated areas.
Trade license acquisition
New licenses, activity additions, shareholder changes, amendments and renewals for companies already licensed in the UAE, including files started by another provider. We read the existing license before proposing anything.
You set the direction. We handle the paperwork.
From first call to trade license
Consultation
We map your activity, ownership and visa needs against mainland, free zone and offshore, then tell you plainly which route fits and what it costs.
Documents and approvals
Trade name reservation, initial approval and the paperwork that follows. We prepare the file and deal with the authorities on your behalf.
License issued
Your trade license and establishment card are issued. You receive the originals and a digital set for your records.
Visas, banking and beyond
Residence visas, Emirates ID, a bank account and the ongoing accounting and compliance work. The same team stays with you.
Before you commit
It follows from who you sell to. Selling to UAE customers or government points to the mainland. Selling services internationally or holding assets usually points to a free zone or offshore. We check your specific activity before recommending either.
Set up your company with one team
Tell us what you are building. A consultant comes back with the route, the cost and the timeline.