UAE Company Registration | Set Up a Company in Dubai and the UAE
Planning a Dubai company registration or want to set up a company in Dubai? Foreign investors in the UAE can set up a limited liability company (LLC) on the mainland, licensed by the economic authority of each emirate such as the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) or the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, or set up a free zone company in a free zone such as DMCC, JAFZA or ADGM. Free zones and most mainland business activities allow 100% foreign ownership.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has its business centers in Dubai and the capital, Abu Dhabi, connecting the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. Federal corporate tax is 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% on the portion above, and the standard VAT rate is 5%. NSS Group (戰國策集團) offers end-to-end UAE company registration and Abu Dhabi company formation, from choosing a free zone or mainland setup and applying for business activities and licenses to FTA tax registration, beneficial owner filings and bank account opening, to help your business enter the Middle East market.
The UAE sits where Asia, Europe and Africa meet, making it a natural bridge between eastern and western markets. Dubai International Airport is one of the busiest international passenger airports in the world, and Jebel Ali Port is one of the world’s leading container ports.
With safe, modern cities, strong education and healthcare, and a highly international population, the UAE attracts professionals from more than 200 countries.
The UAE has dozens of free trade zones across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and other emirates, each built for specific industries such as technology, finance, media and commodities. A company set up in a free zone can benefit from:
- 100% foreign ownership, with no local sponsor required.
- 100% repatriation of capital and profits.
- A Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) can apply 0% corporate tax to qualifying income
The UAE introduced federal corporate tax for financial years starting on or after June 1, 2023: 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% on the portion above, which remains competitive globally. Resident businesses with revenue of AED 3,000,000 or less can elect Small Business Relief for tax periods ending on or before December 31, 2026, and a Qualifying Free Zone Person can still apply 0% to qualifying income.
for your regional headquarters?
The UAE’s appeal to business is broad. Its core advantages include:
There are two main routes to setting up a company in the UAE:
on the mainland or in a free trade zone (Free Zone). Whether you set up a company in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, you first decide on the location and your business activities.
Suited to companies that want to trade directly in the UAE local market. In the past, a mainland company usually needed a UAE national sponsor holding 51%. Since Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020 amended the Commercial Companies Law, most commercial activities allow 100% foreign ownership, but strategic activities such as defense and security, telecommunications, and banking and insurance remain restricted. Mainland setup follows these steps: choose the business activity and legal form, register the trade name, obtain initial approval, sign the memorandum of association, secure business premises and collect the license. In Dubai this can be done online through DET, and in Abu Dhabi through the Department of Economic Development or the Basher platform.
The UAE offers an active, low-tax business platform with strong global connections. NSS Group guides you through the choice of free zone and the company setup process, so your business can make full use of what the UAE offers and open the door to large emerging markets.
This is the preferred route for international investors, and the process is usually simpler and faster. You can set up a free zone company (FZ Co.), a free zone establishment (FZE) or a branch. The general free zone process is as follows.
Choose the free zone that best matches your business. For example, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) focuses on financial services, the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) on commodities trading, and Dubai Internet City on technology.
Submit the company name, legal form and a detailed business activity application to the free zone authority to obtain initial approval. Business activities must match the license type, and some regulated activities need approval from the relevant regulator.
Prepare and submit passport copies and proof of address for shareholders, directors and managers, a business plan, the articles of association and the lease agreement. Corporate shareholders must also provide company registration documents and declare ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) information.
Once approved, the free zone issues the trade license and company registration documents. You can then apply for residence visas for the company’s shareholders and employees, register for corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA), register for VAT once turnover reaches the threshold, and open a bank account.
every step
- Company name search and reservation
- Registration document preparation and filing
- Drafting the articles of association
- Collecting the certificate of incorporation
- UAE bank selection advice
- Account opening documents
- Appointment booking and accompaniment
- Post-opening support
- Registered address
- Company secretary appointment
- Annual return filing
- Record keeping and document management
- Bookkeeping
- Tax filing and planning
- Financial statements
- Audit arrangements
- Trademark search and assessment
- Trademark application filing
- Trademark maintenance and renewal
- Infringement protection advice
- Company change filings
- Share transfers
- Company deregistration
- Legal advisory support
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Good customer service is key to a successful business. We include a free AI customer service system that answers customer questions in real time and raises customer satisfaction.
A professional, attractive website is your company’s storefront online. Our full web design services make sure your site looks good and works well.
Online marketing is a key part of business success today. We offer professional online marketing services, including SEO, social media marketing and content marketing.
Register your company with NSS Group and receive a free all-in-one AI business management system––valued at NT$360,000
One AI system to run your company: 12 core systems, 75+ feature modules and 15 AI tools covering the full business workflow, so a new company can start operating quickly.
- Company name search and registration
- Registration document preparation and filing
- Drafting the articles of association
- Certificate of registration and company documents
- First-year registered address service
The actual cost depends on the company type, share structure and any additional services. We give a transparent quote with no hidden fees.
Government fees are charged separately: mainland license fees are set by each emirate’s economic authority, free zone company fees by each free zone, and residence visa fees by the immigration authorities. See the cost breakdown below.
How much does Dubai company registration cost? Cost breakdown
The UAE has no single national company registration fee. Mainland companies get their trade license from the economic authority of each emirate, and free zone companies get theirs from the free zone authority. Fees depend on the location, license type and business activities you choose. The table lists the main cost items so you can check quotes line by line.
| Item | Charged by | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trade name registration and initial approval | Mainland: the economic authority of each emirate (for example, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) or the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development); free zone: the free zone authority | As published by the authority |
| Trade license (commercial, professional, industrial and others) | Same as above | Charged by license type and number of business activities, renewed every year |
| Office space (flexi desk or private office) | Free zone or landlord | Depends on the package and floor area. Most licenses require a registered address or office lease. |
| Residence visas and Emirates ID for shareholders and employees | Immigration and identity authorities | Charged by number of people and visa type |
| Corporate tax and VAT registration | Federal Tax Authority (FTA), through EmaraTax | As set by the FTA |
| Document preparation, agency services and bank account support | Quoted per case. NSS Group gives a written quote after a free assessment. | |
Fees and packages follow the latest notices from each emirate's economic authority and each free zone's official website. The u.ae government portal lists links to each free zone's website and the Basher online setup platform.
UAE company tax: 9% corporate tax and 5% VAT
UAE federal corporate tax applies to financial years starting on or after June 1, 2023, and is administered by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). Both mainland and free zone companies fall within its scope.
| Item | Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate tax (standard rate) | 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000, 9% on the portion above | Large multinational groups are subject to different rates under the OECD Pillar Two rules. |
| Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) | 0% on qualifying income, 9% on other taxable income | Must maintain adequate substance in the free zone, comply with transfer pricing rules and not elect to be taxed at the standard rate. Income from dealings with the mainland may not count as qualifying income. |
| Small Business Relief | Businesses with revenue of AED 3,000,000 or less can elect to be treated as having no taxable income | Available to resident taxpayers for tax periods ending on or before December 31, 2026. You must still register for corporate tax and file a simplified return. |
| Corporate tax filing and payment | Within 9 months after the end of the tax period | File and pay through EmaraTax, and keep records of transactions, assets, liabilities and shareholdings. |
| VAT standard rate | 5% | In effect since January 1, 2018. |
| VAT registration thresholds | Mandatory AED 375,000, voluntary AED 187,500 | Based on taxable supplies and imports over the past 12 months or the next 30 days. The mandatory threshold does not apply to foreign businesses. |
| Economic substance and ultimate beneficial owners (UBO) | Economic substance notifications and reports no longer apply to financial years ending after December 31, 2022 | Obligations for earlier years must still be completed, and a QFZP must still meet the corporate tax substance requirements. Companies must keep a register of beneficial owners and shareholders and submit it to the registrar. |
Rates follow notices from u.ae and the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). Ask a UAE tax agent to assess how they apply to your structure.
Free zone or mainland? Comparing company types to set up a company in Dubai
Whether you set up a company in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, the first step is choosing the mainland or a free zone. The two differ in licensing authority, scope of business and tax treatment.
| Item | Mainland company (Mainland LLC) | Free zone company (FZE / FZ Co. / FZ-LLC) |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing authority | The economic authority of each emirate, for example DET in Dubai or the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi | Each free zone authority, for example DMCC, JAFZA, Dubai Internet City, ADGM or DIFC |
| Foreign ownership | 100% foreign ownership for most business activities; strategic activities such as defense and security, telecommunications, and banking and insurance remain restricted | 100% foreign ownership allowed |
| Scope of business | Can trade directly in the UAE market and bid for government contracts | Limited to the business activities on the license; dealings with the mainland market must follow the rules |
| Corporate tax | 0% up to AED 375,000, 9% on the portion above | 0% on qualifying income for a QFZP, 9% on the rest |
| Best suited to | Local retail, food and beverage, engineering, and serving local customers | International trade, logistics, technology, holding companies and regional headquarters |
These are general principles. Choose based on your business activities, customer locations and visa needs.
What foreign founders should know before setting up a company in Dubai
- Confirm your business activities first: The UAE has more than 2,000 business activities to choose from. Your activities determine the license type, legal form and whether 100% foreign ownership is allowed, so check the authority's activity list before you start.
- Choosing between a free zone and the mainland: Companies whose main customers are in the UAE usually choose the mainland. Companies focused on international trade, re-export or holding usually choose a free zone, but income from dealings with the mainland may not qualify for the 0% rate.
- Corporate tax registration is required: Even if profits are AED 375,000 or less, or you use Small Business Relief, you must register for corporate tax with the FTA, file on time and keep accounting records.
- Beneficial owner information: Companies must keep a register of ultimate beneficial owners (UBO) and shareholders, submit it to the registrar, and update it promptly when ownership or control changes.
- Bank account opening: UAE banks review KYC, business activities, source of funds and local substance closely, and often require a residence visa, an office lease or the directors in person. Plan how you will collect payments before you set up.
- Home-country tax: Because UAE corporate tax rates are low, shareholders should check their home country's controlled foreign company (CFC) rules, dividend repatriation and transfer pricing, and keep UAE tax and filing records.
Further reading
Sources: u.ae: Corporate tax; FTA: Small Business Relief guide; FTA: Corporate tax guide on free zone persons; u.ae: VAT; FTA: VAT registration thresholds; u.ae: Full foreign ownership of mainland companies and restricted activities; u.ae: Steps to start a business on the mainland; u.ae: Starting a business in a free zone and free zone websites; UAE Ministry of Finance: Amendment to economic substance requirements; UAE Ministry of Economy: Beneficial owner procedures. The latest official notices prevail. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
How long does Dubai (UAE) company registration take?
Setup time for a Dubai company depends on whether you choose the mainland or a free zone, your business activities, name approval, document signing, review by the local authorities and bank account arrangements. Some mainland companies can get a license quickly through online platforms such as Basher. Special licenses, regulated industries or residence visas may take longer. Before we start, we give you the actual process and timeline for your structure.
What documents do I need to set up a company in Dubai?
To set up a company in the UAE, you usually need to prepare the following:
- 1. Identity documents for shareholders, directors and ultimate beneficial owners
- 2. Proof of address dated within the last three months, plus contact details
- 3. The UAE company name, company type and registered address arrangements
- 4. A description of the business model, main trading regions and source of funds
- 5. Shareholding percentages, director appointments, KYC and required authorization documents
Do I need to be in the UAE in person to register a company?
Most of the UAE company setup process can be completed remotely through document preparation, signing under authorization and a local agent, so you do not have to be there in person for every step. Bank account opening, identity verification, special licenses or certain government procedures may require directors, shareholders or authorized persons to attend in person, join a video call or provide more documents. We confirm the requirements in advance and help arrange them.
What tax and filing obligations does a Dubai company have after incorporation?
- 1. Corporate tax (0% up to AED 375,000, 9% on the portion above) and VAT (5%)
- 2. Annual returns, company register maintenance, and registered agent or secretary services
- 3. Accounting records, trade license renewal and ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) information
What businesses and structures are Dubai and Abu Dhabi companies suited for?
Who can help me register a company in the UAE?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) can help. We provide one-stop support for UAE companies, from pre-incorporation assessment to post-incorporation maintenance, reducing uncertainty in cross-border setup and compliance.
Our main services include:
- 1. UAE company type and structure assessment
- 2. Company name search, document preparation and registration application
- 3. Bank account opening, KYC and cross-border payment documents
- 4. Bookkeeping, tax filing and annual compliance
- 5. Changes to shareholders, directors, address, shares and company details
- 6. Trademark registration, contract review and IP planning
- 7. Website build, digital marketing and AI customer service setup
- 8. Ongoing business advisory and cross-border support
We arrange UAE company setup, maintenance and ongoing support around your industry, customer locations, banking needs and tax planning, so you can focus on growing your market.