Free Zone company setup
A company licensed by one of the UAE's Free Zone authorities: usually cheaper to set up.
What it is
A Free Zone company is licensed by one of the UAE's 40-plus Free Zone authorities. Setup is usually cheaper, and packages often include a fixed number of visas.
Selling directly into the mainland market usually needs additional licensing or a distributor. There may be corporate tax advantages if your income qualifies, but the 0% rate is not automatic.
It suits you if
- You will not sell directly to customers on the mainland, or will use a distributor
- You want a lower-cost setup
- You need a set number of visas with your licence
What we do for you
- Help choosing the right Free Zone for your activity
- Company formation and registration
- Trade licence application and renewals
- Documentation clearance
- Investor and employee visa processing
Documents you will usually need
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the appointed manager (valid for at least 6 months)
- Passport-sized photographs with a white background
- Three proposed trade names in order of preference
- Intended business activities list
- Proof of address in your home country
You send documents only after you have accepted your quotation and paid.
The Free Zones we can set you up in
Each Free Zone is its own authority, with its own packages and rules. We help you choose the one that fits your activity.
DMCC
مركز دبي للسلع المتعددة
- Typical licence time
- 3–7 working days
- Visas
- Packages often include a set number
Questions people ask
Straight answers to the questions we hear most.
What is the difference between a Free Zone and a Mainland company in the UAE?
The practical difference is market access, not ownership — both routes now allow 100% foreign ownership for most activities.
A Mainland company is licensed by the emirate's Department of Economy and Tourism. It can trade directly with customers anywhere in the UAE, bid for government contracts, and open branches across all seven emirates.
A Free Zone company is licensed by one of the UAE's 40-plus free zone authorities. Setup is usually cheaper, packages often bundle a fixed number of visas, and there may be corporate tax advantages if your income profile qualifies. Selling directly into the mainland market typically requires additional licensing or a distributor.
Do Free Zone companies pay 0% tax in the UAE?
Not automatically. The 0% rate applies only if the company is a Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP), and then only on its Qualifying Income. Other income streams are taxed at 9% without threshold relief.
Qualifying status requires maintaining adequate substance in the free zone (real staff, physical premises, and operating expenditures), adhering to transfer pricing regulations, and filing audited financial statements.
How long does UAE company registration take?
For a straightforward setup with verified documents:
- Free Zone licence: 3–7 working days
- Mainland licence: 1–7 working days
- Residence visas: 7–15 working days per person
- Corporate bank account: 1–5 working days
What documents do I need to register a company?
Typically required documents include:
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the appointed manager (valid for at least 6 months)
- Passport-sized photographs with a white background
- Three proposed trade names in order of preference
- Intended business activities list
- Proof of address in your home country
Related services
Ready when you are
Answer a few short questions. No documents are needed until you have accepted your quotation.
Prefer to talk? Call us+971 56 206 2044