Get expert consultancy for your trade license, visa & bank account — all in one place.
Planning to start your business in the UAE?
Fill out the form to receive a customized estimate based on your specific requirements, whether you’re launching a consultancy, trading firm, or tech startup.
Select your business activity to determine the required license: Commercial, Professional, or Industrial. Choose between Mainland, Free Zone, or Offshore. Align with market demand.
Obtain approval from DED (Mainland), Free Zone authorities, or Offshore bodies. Submit a business plan, passport copies, and proof of address while reserving a compliant trade name.
Complete registration by submitting trade name, MOA, and lease agreement with applicable fees (e.g., AED 5,750 for Free Zone). Specialized sectors need additional authority approvals. Receive your business license, often within days, in Free Zones.
Apply for visas through the relevant authorities based on office space requirements. Submit documents, complete medical tests, and Emirates ID biometrics. Visas cost around AED 5,000 and take 1–3 weeks to process.
Open business accounts with local banks by providing a license, MOA, passports, Emirates IDs, and address proof. Free Zone banking offers easier processes for startups. Setup takes 1–3 weeks, enabling business transactions.
Company license (1 activity)
1 UAE residence visa (3 yrs)
Virtual/flexi desk setup
Business name registration
Government approvals
100% ownership, no local sponsor
Company license (up to 2 activities)
2 UAE residence visas
Flexi desk/virtual office
Company MOA & documents
Email + UAE mobile number setup
Priority bank account assistance
Company license (multi-activity)
3 UAE residence visas
Shared office / physical office lease
Full documentation + lease contracts
Dedicated account manager
Business bank account guarantee
Explore the best locations in the UAE to launch your business. Whether you prefer Mainland flexibility, Free Zone benefits, or Offshore privacy, these top cities offer ideal options for every setup type.
Explore multiple business districts with rich infrastructure and find the best one to start a business in the UAE
A central business hub with modern infrastructure, excellent connectivity, and premium office spaces. Ideal for startups, SMEs, and professional firms looking for a prestigious yet accessible location in Dubai.
Premium location near Burj Khalifa, perfect for luxury brands and high-end companies.
Major commercial artery with top visibility, great for corporates and professional services.
Historic business centers, best for trading, wholesale, and retail-focused companies.
Establish a strong financial foundation for your business and grow your business domestically and internationally
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Explore the different UAE business licenses available for various industries, including trade, tourism, food, finance, agriculture, and more.
From Paperwork to Profits—Fast, Clear, Reliable
Struggling with UAE Licensing? We Simplify It
With deep knowledge of UAE business laws and licensing, we guide you smoothly through every step of company formation.
Whether you’re based in the mainland, a free zone, or offshore, we help you select the perfect license and setup that matches your unique business needs.
We prioritize speed without compromising quality, keeping you informed with clear, upfront pricing and timelines.
Value Added Tax (VAT) became a cornerstone of the UAE’s tax system when it was introduced on January 1, 2018.
Established in February 2009 under Ruler’s Decree No. 5, Meydan Free Zone (MFZ) is a modern economic free zone located
Value Added Tax (VAT) became a cornerstone of the UAE’s tax system when it was introduced on January 1, 2018.
In the UAE’s fast-paced business landscape, tax compliance is a cornerstone of successful operations. A key element of this is
Officially, a free zone company is required to have its office located within the free zone where it is registered. However, in Dubai, companies can lease space in a business center outside the free zone for operational flexibility. Despite this, the minimum required office space, such as a flexi desk, within the free zone must still be maintained and cannot be canceled.
You must renew your DMCC company license before the expiry date listed on your current license. It’s recommended to start the renewal process at least two weeks prior to the expiry to avoid penalties. Late renewals may result in overdue fines, which start at AED 2,510 for the first month, and could lead to suspension or termination of your license.
DMCC is a government-established free zone operating under the authority of the Government of Dubai. While it has a degree of autonomy in its business operations and services, it is ultimately overseen by Dubai’s leadership. In 2020, as part of a restructuring, the Investment Corporation of Dubai (Dubai’s sovereign wealth fund) became the parent company of DMCC, and the DMCC Authority was transferred to the Dubai Executive Council as a government department. In short, DMCC is a government-controlled free zone and business hub, not a private company.
DMCC operates as a government-backed free zone authority with significant autonomy in its business operations, managed by the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority (DMCCA). While it handles its own regulations and operations, DMCC is ultimately overseen by the Government of Dubai. Following a recent restructuring, DMCCA is now under the direct supervision of the Dubai Executive Council, making it a government department while maintaining operational independence.In summary, DMCC is government-controlled but retains operational autonomy within the free zone.
Setting up a business in the UAE offers key advantages, including tax benefits (no personal income tax), strategic location for global access, business-friendly regulations, access to skilled international talent, free zone incentives (100% foreign ownership), world-class infrastructure, political stability, and ample growth opportunities in various industries.
Setting up a business in Dubai is quick:
In summary, most businesses can be established in Dubai within a week or less, particularly in free zones.
In Dubai, these are the top locations:
An investor may choose a mainland company over an offshore one in Dubai for benefits like full access to the UAE market, the ability to trade locally, bid on government contracts, sponsor unlimited visas, and no minimum capital requirement. Mainland companies also offer more business flexibility, property ownership options, and 100% foreign ownership in many sectors. Offshore companies are limited to international activities and cannot operate within the UAE.
The UAE offers various visa options for investors and business owners, including:
Visa costs and eligibility depend on the type and business activity, with residency permits available in both free zones and the mainland.
To stay compliant with UAE tax reforms in 2025:
Non-compliance with UAE tax reforms can lead to fines, legal action, license suspension, business disruption, reputational damage, increased scrutiny, imprisonment for severe cases, and a loss of market value or investor confidence.
The UAE offers Small Business Relief under the Corporate Tax Law, providing eligible businesses with a 0% corporate tax rate on taxable income for a given period. This relief simplifies compliance with cash basis accounting and removes the need for full tax returns. To qualify, businesses must have revenue under AED 3 million, be UAE residents, and elect for the relief in their tax return. The relief is available until 31 December 2026. Businesses exceeding the revenue threshold or involved in certain regulated activities may lose eligibility.
Expats do not pay personal income tax in the UAE, making it an attractive destination for professionals and investors.However, expats who run a business with profits exceeding AED 375,000 annually will be subject to corporate tax, which is set at 9% for profits above that threshold. Additionally, all residents, including expats, must pay Value Added Tax (VAT) at a rate of 5% on most goods and services. This makes the UAE a tax-efficient environment for both individuals and businesses.
Yes, buying property in the UAE can qualify you for residency, provided the property meets the minimum investment requirements. Typically, this involves investing in property worth at least AED 1 million or more. Higher investment amounts may qualify for longer-term residency visas, such as the Golden Visa. Other conditions may include proving the property’s value, providing a valid purchase agreement, and meeting the visa requirements set by the UAE authorities. This residency option is particularly beneficial for expats looking to settle in the UAE long-term while enjoying the benefits of ownership.
Yes, foreigners can own a business in Dubai. Recent changes to UAE law allow 100% foreign ownership in most sectors, both on the mainland and in free zones, without needing a local partner or sponsor. However, certain strategic sectors like banking, insurance, defense, and telecommunications still require local ownership or have restrictions. For most commercial and industrial activities, foreigners can fully own and operate their businesses.
Yes, you can now own a business in Dubai without a local partner.Recent UAE regulations allow 100% foreign ownership for most business activities, both in free zones and on the mainland. Over 1,000 commercial activities are open to full foreign ownership, with exceptions for sectors like oil, gas, banking, and defense.
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