Guide
Setting up a business in Dubai
Two routes exist: a free zone company or a mainland licence. We explain the real differences, then set you up with the structure that matches how you actually sell — most of our clients land on Ajman Free Zone.
Talk to an expert
100%
Foreign ownership
0%
Tax under AED 3M turnover
5–10 days
Typical licence issuance
What's included
- Free zone vs mainland structuring advice for your activity
- Licence and activity selection
- Name reservation, initial approval and licence issuance
- Investor or employment visa, medical and Emirates ID
- Corporate bank account introduction and application file
- Registered address and mail handling
- Corporate tax registration and Small Business Relief eligibility check
- Ongoing accounting and bookkeeping to keep the relief valid
How it works
- 01
Discovery call
We map your customers, activity and residency plans to decide between a free zone and a mainland licence.
- 02
Licence & registration
We prepare and file everything; you sign digitally and send passport copies.
- 03
Visa & Emirates ID
Entry permit, medical test, biometrics and residence stamping, coordinated in Dubai.
- 04
Banking & compliance
Bank file and interview, corporate tax registration, then bookkeeping so your 0% Small Business Relief position holds.
Free zone vs mainland in Dubai
The right answer depends on one question: who pays your invoices. If your clients are outside the UAE or in other free zones, a free zone licence is almost always cheaper and faster. If you sell to UAE onshore customers or government bodies, mainland is the fit.
| Free zone (e.g. Ajman) | Mainland | |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | 100% foreign ownership, no local partner required. | 100% foreign ownership for most activities, some still need a local agent. |
| Where you can trade | Internationally and with other free zone entities; onshore UAE sales go through a distributor or a mainland branch. | Directly with the UAE onshore market and government contracts. |
| Setup speed | Licence typically issued in 5–10 working days. | Usually longer — external approvals and a physical lease are required. |
| Office requirement | Flexi-desk or registered address included in the package. | Physical Ejari lease tied to the number of visas. |
| Running cost | Lower and predictable; Ajman Free Zone is the most cost-efficient option we work with. | Higher, driven by the office lease and additional approvals. |
| Corporate tax | 9% above AED 375,000 — but 0% under Small Business Relief while turnover stays at or below AED 3,000,000 (until 31/12/2029). | Same federal rules apply; Small Business Relief is available too. |
What it takes in practice
A Dubai company setup is a sequence: choose the activity, reserve the name, get the licence, then convert it into a residence visa, an Emirates ID and a working bank account. The licence is the easy part — banking and compliance are where most applications stall, which is why we prepare the bank file with you and stay on as your accountants afterwards.
Under UAE Small Business Relief, companies with turnover up to AED 3,000,000 pay 0% corporate tax through 31 December 2029 — provided the entity is registered with the FTA and books are kept properly. See our Ajman Free Zone incorporation service and accounting & bookkeeping for the detail, or relocate to Dubai if you plan to move with the company.
Ready to start?
A 30-minute call is usually enough to map out your structure.
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