Service
Company setup.
Mainland, free zone or offshore — the right structure the first time, with visas and banking sorted before you need them.
Choosing the right structure
The structure decision is the one that's expensive to reverse. It determines where you can trade, who can own the company, what visas you can issue, whether you qualify for the free zone tax regime, and how an investor will view the cap table two years from now.
We start with what you're actually going to do — customers, staff, physical presence, funding plans — and work backwards to the structure that fits. Sometimes that's a free zone; often, for companies selling to the UAE market, it isn't.
- Mainland — trade freely across the UAE, no local sponsor required for most activities
- Free zone — 100% ownership, potential 0% corporate tax as a Qualifying Free Zone Person
- Offshore — holding structures and asset ownership, no operational presence
- ADGM / DIFC — common-law jurisdictions, the right home for funds and SPVs
How it runs
- 01
Structure consultation
We map your activities, ownership and plans against the options and recommend one. Free, and no obligation.
- 02
Name & licence
Trade name reservation, initial approvals and the licence application, submitted correctly first time.
- 03
Establishment card & visas
Immigration file opened, then investor and employee visas processed with medicals and Emirates ID.
- 04
Bank account
Prepared application, warm introduction to the right partner bank, and support through compliance questions.
- 05
Handover
Licence, MOA, corporate documents and a compliance calendar so you know what's due and when.
Indicative timelines
Scroll horizontally to view all columns.
| Structure | Typical timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free zone | 5–10 working days | Fastest route; activity list varies by zone |
| Mainland LLC | 2–3 weeks | Depends on activity approvals required |
| Offshore | 3–7 working days | No visas issued; holding purposes only |
| ADGM / DIFC | 3–6 weeks | Higher substance and compliance requirements |
Timelines are indicative and depend on activity, approvals and document readiness. Government fees are quoted separately at cost.
Setup questions
Do I need a local partner?
For most mainland activities, no — foreign ownership was liberalised for the large majority of commercial activities. A small number of strategic activities still carry requirements, and we'll flag it if yours is one of them.
Can I open a bank account remotely?
Generally no. UAE banks almost always require the signatory to attend in person for account opening. We prepare everything in advance so the single visit is enough.
Will a free zone company get 0% corporate tax?
Only if it meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions, which include qualifying income, adequate substance and transfer pricing compliance. It isn't automatic, and getting it wrong is expensive — we assess it as part of the structure consultation.
How many visas can I get?
It depends on the zone and your office space. A flexi-desk typically supports one to three; a physical office scales with square footage. We size this against your hiring plan up front.