UAE · Service
Mainland and free-zone formation across IFZA, Meydan, DMCC, JAFZA and RAKEZ: the right jurisdiction, licence and structure chosen for tax, banking and substance.
There are dozens of UAE jurisdictions, and the cheapest licence is rarely the right one once corporate tax, banking and visas are in play. We match your activity to the optimal mainland or free-zone setup, handle the licence and visas, and build the substance your bank and the FTA will expect.
Mainland or free zone matched to activity, tax, banking and visa needs.
Trade licence, incorporation and establishment-card setup.
Investor and employee visas and Emirates ID processing.
Introductions and documentation for a UAE corporate account.
Office, staffing and governance to meet substance expectations.
FTA registration and the tax record set up from day one.
We match activity to the right jurisdiction and licence.
We obtain the licence and complete incorporation.
We process visas, Emirates ID and the establishment card.
We support account opening and tax onboarding.
We choose the jurisdiction your bank will open for and your tax position will hold in, not the cheapest brochure.
| Question | Free zone | Mainland |
|---|---|---|
| Who are your customers? | Suits international customers and other free-zone businesses | Suits customers across the UAE mainland and government contracts |
| Corporate tax | 0% on qualifying income if all Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions are met; otherwise 9% above AED 375,000 | 0% up to AED 375,000, 9% above |
| Office and visas | Flexi-desk options; visa quota tied to space | Physical office with an Ejari lease; wider visa options |
| Ownership | 100% foreign ownership | 100% foreign ownership for most activities |
An Indian resident putting money into a UAE company is making an overseas direct investment. The bank must report it in Form FC before the remittance goes. An individual invests within the LRS limit of USD 250,000 a year; an Indian company can commit up to 400% of its net worth. Setting up the licence first and sorting FEMA later is the most common and most expensive mistake we see. The routes are compared in ODI vs LRS for a UAE company.
A free-zone licence is often issued within one to three weeks once documents are complete. Opening a corporate bank account usually takes longer and depends on the bank’s compliance review. A company incorporated in the UAE must register for corporate tax within three months of incorporation, and for VAT once taxable supplies pass the registration threshold. Most companies must also file a beneficial owner register with the licensing authority.
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Read the guide →Book a consultation to choose the right jurisdiction and licence before you commit, and get banked and tax-ready from the start.
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