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Company Formation in United Arab Emirates

Last updated: November 2026

The United Arab Emirates is the most-formed jurisdiction in the Middle East and one of the top three globally for non-resident incorporation. Three structures dominate: mainland LLCs (full UAE market access, 100% foreign ownership now permitted in most sectors), free zone companies (dozens of free zones, 0% corporate tax for Qualifying Free Zone Persons, no customs duty), and offshore companies (RAK ICC, JAFZA Offshore, used for holdings and international structuring, no UAE operations). The mainland LLC is the limited liability company (LLC) of the Commercial Companies Law; its free zone equivalent is the FZ-LLC. Corporate tax is 9% on profits above AED 375,000, with 0% below. Personal income tax is zero. The Small Business Relief regime (0% corporate tax while revenue stays at or below AED 3 million, for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029) covers most early-stage businesses entirely.

We handle business setup in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the other emirates across all three structures: trade-name reservation, licence application, MoA drafting, Ejari or free-zone lease, FTA registration, residency-visa support, and bank account introduction. Fixed price, dedicated manager, all government and licensing fees included.

Quick facts Value
Corporate Tax (mainland & non-QFZP free zone) 9% on profits above AED 375,000; 0% below
Local company form LLC (limited liability company; FZ-LLC in free zones), equivalent of an LLC / private limited company
Free Zone QFZP rate 0% on qualifying income (substance + qualifying activities required)
Small Business Relief 0% CT for tax periods ending by 31 Dec 2029 if revenue ≤ AED 3,000,000/year
VAT 5% (registration mandatory above AED 375,000 turnover)
Personal income tax 0%
Withholding tax (dividends, interest, royalties) 0%
Foreign ownership (mainland) 100% in most sectors (since 2021 reforms)
Foreign ownership (free zone) 100% — no local sponsor needed
Standard formation time 5–7 days (free zone), 2–4 weeks (mainland LLC)
Government fees Included in our packages
Language of filings Arabic + English
Currency UAE Dirham (AED)

Why Form a Company in the UAE

Three things drove the UAE to its current scale as a formation hub: tax, market access, and reputation.

Tax remains the headline. Corporate tax was introduced only in June 2023, at 9%, with 0% below AED 375,000 in profit. Small Business Relief takes that further: companies with revenue up to AED 3 million a year pay 0% corporate tax for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029, after Ministerial Decision No. 131 of 2026 extended the relief by three years. Free zone companies that qualify as QFZPs pay 0% on qualifying income indefinitely (subject to adequate substance). There is no personal income tax, no capital gains tax for individuals, no withholding tax on outbound dividends, interest, or royalties. The UAE has concluded 137 double tax agreements.

Market access has changed. The 2021 amendments to the Commercial Companies Law removed the historic requirement for a UAE national to hold 51% of a mainland LLC. Mainland companies in most sectors can now be 100% foreign-owned. This collapsed the historic case for free zones and reopened mainland as a serious option for any business that wants to trade directly with UAE customers.

Reputation as a regional hub. Dubai and Abu Dhabi sit at the centre of every Gulf, Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia trade flow. A UAE company is a recognised counterparty in every market in those regions. Access to Gulf banking, regional logistics infrastructure, and one of the world's busiest air-cargo hubs makes the UAE a natural base for any business operating across MENA, India, and East Africa.

The trade-offs in 2026: the new corporate tax requires real compliance work; the 0% free zone rate depends on adequate substance and qualifying income; the Federal Tax Authority is enforcing the 3-month registration window after incorporation with penalties; and mandatory e-invoicing goes live on 1 January 2027 for businesses with revenue of AED 50 million or more and on 1 July 2027 for the rest. None of this is fatal: it is the price of the UAE growing into a mature corporate jurisdiction.

Company Types Available in the UAE

UAE corporate law gives you four practical structures. Choosing between them is the most important decision in UAE formation.

Mainland LLC (Limited Liability Company)

Licensed by the economic department of an emirate: in Dubai the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly the Department of Economic Development or DED), in Abu Dhabi the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. Permits trading throughout the UAE without restriction, including with government, freely with mainland and free-zone counterparties, and across all economic activities except those on the federal strategic list or Dubai's restricted list. Since 1 June 2021, 100% foreign ownership is permitted for most activities; Dubai publishes a short list of restricted activities that still need an Emirati partner. Subject to the 9% corporate tax above AED 375,000. Our Dubai mainland company formation page covers the DET route step by step.

What does LLC mean?

LLC stands for limited liability company, in Arabic sharikat dhat mas'uliyya mahduda, the form governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 on Commercial Companies. Liability is limited to the capital contributed, one shareholder is enough, and the licence comes from the emirate's economic department (DET in Dubai). Trading, contracting and services businesses selling into the UAE mainland use it.

Free Zone Company (FZ-LLC or FZ Establishment)

Licensed by one of the UAE's free zone authorities (the federal government portal links 37 of them), such as DMCC, IFZA, Meydan, RAKEZ, JAFZA, ADGM, DIFC and DSO. Each free zone has its own licensing rules, capital requirements, office options, and visa allocations. 100% foreign ownership is the norm across free zones. 0% corporate tax is available for entities qualifying as Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZPs), which requires adequate substance in the free zone, qualifying-income-only revenue (transactions with other free zone entities or specific qualifying activities like manufacturing, logistics, holding, treasury), and no significant mainland UAE business. Restrictions on direct trading with the UAE mainland: free zone companies cannot generally invoice mainland customers directly without a mainland distributor or branch, although in Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025 now lets them operate on the mainland with a DET permit. Our free zone company setup page compares the zones.

Offshore Company (RAK ICC, JAFZA Offshore)

A non-trading vehicle for holding international assets, intellectual property, real estate, or as a personal-asset structure. It cannot trade without a licence (JAFZA) or RAK ICC's authorisation for business with persons in its Zone. Only a JAFZA offshore company that owns designated freehold property opens a route to member residency visas. Similar role to BVI BCs or Cayman exempted companies, favoured for international structuring and holding purposes. Upkeep is lighter than for a licensed company, but an offshore company is a resident person for UAE corporate tax and must register with the Federal Tax Authority. Our UAE offshore company page explains what RAK ICC and JAFZA Offshore companies can and cannot do.

Branch of a Foreign Company

A foreign parent's UAE branch — mainland or free zone version. Not a separate legal entity. The parent's balance sheet faces UAE counterparties. Used when the foreign group needs UAE invoicing or local presence without a separate sub.

Form Foreign ownership Corporate tax UAE market access Visa eligibility Common use
Mainland LLC 100% (most sectors) 9% above AED 375k Full Yes Trading, services, retail, contracting
Free Zone (FZ-LLC) 100% 0% if QFZP, else 9% Limited (free zone or international) Yes Trading, holding, services, manufacturing
Offshore 100% Resident person: 0% up to AED 375,000, 9% above None without a licence or authorisation Only JAFZA, through designated freehold property Holdings, IP, asset structuring
Branch 100% (parent's) 9% on UAE income Per parent licence Per parent Foreign group presence

Free zone or mainland: which UAE company suits a non-resident?

Both allow 100% foreign ownership, so customers and visas decide. A free zone company suits a non-resident selling abroad: licence in 5 to 7 working days, flexi-desk lease, a visa quota tied to office size, and 0% tax as a QFZP. A mainland LLC suits trading company formation for UAE customers; industrial company formation usually goes to JAFZA or RAKEZ.

Benefits and drawbacks of each UAE route

Mainland LLC: unlimited UAE customers, government tenders and a visa quota that grows with office space. Against that: 9% corporate tax above AED 375,000, a mandatory Ejari lease and annual licence renewals with DET or the emirate's economic department. Free zone company: 0% as a QFZP, flexi-desk leases and one-stop licensing. Against that: no direct mainland invoicing, 5% customs duty when goods leave the zone for the mainland, and audited accounts demanded by most zones at renewal. Offshore company at RAK ICC or JAFZA Offshore: the lightest upkeep and no trade licence to renew. Against that: no UAE trading, generally no visas and the hardest bank onboarding of the three.

Which licence type do I need: commercial, professional or industrial?

Every UAE company is licensed for a defined activity list, and the licence type follows the activity. A commercial licence covers trading, including general trading and e-commerce. A professional licence covers services and consultancy, which is why professional company formation in the UAE is the route for IT, marketing, engineering and advisory firms. An industrial licence covers manufacturing and needs an industrial facility. Free zones add holding, freelance and media permits. We match your activity codes to the licence type before filing, because changing the type later means a new application.

Which business activities are restricted or need extra approval in the UAE?

Activities with strategic impact sit outside the 100% foreign ownership rule under Cabinet Resolution No. 55 of 2021 (in force 1 June 2021): security, defence and military activities; banks, exchange houses, finance and insurance; activities regulated by the telecommunications regulator (TDRA); activities regulated by the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments; and activities reserved to nationals. The relevant regulator sets the national share in each case.

A second layer is regulatory approval before the licence issues. Financial services go through the Central Bank, the Securities and Commodities Authority, the DFSA in DIFC or the FSRA in ADGM. Virtual asset businesses in Dubai need a VARA licence. Healthcare needs DHA or DoH approval, real estate brokerage needs RERA, schools need KHDA and legal consultancy needs the Dubai Legal Affairs Department. Every licence lists its activity codes, and trading outside them is a violation at renewal.

Business Setup by Emirate and Route

Each route and each emirate has its own authority and rules, so each has its own page:

How to Register a Company in the UAE: Step by Step

Timing varies materially between mainland LLCs and free zone companies. The free-zone process is faster because everything happens within one authority. Mainland LLCs require coordination between DET (or another emirate's economic department), the Federal Tax Authority, GDRFA (immigration), and Ministry of Labour. As your formation agent in the UAE, we file every step below on your behalf. The registry differs by route. The emirate's economic department (DET in Dubai) keeps the mainland commercial register, and each free zone authority keeps its own company register. The Ministry of Economy's National Economic Register lists every licensed company nationwide.

Free Zone Company

  1. Free zone selection. We recommend the right free zone based on your activity, visa needs, office requirements, and budget. DMCC for commodities, services, and crypto; IFZA for general trading and consultancy at lower cost; Meydan for media and creative; ADGM and DIFC for financial services; JAFZA for industrial and logistics. Freezone company formation, as many clients write it, starts with this choice.
  2. Trade name reservation and initial approval. Submitted to the chosen free zone authority. Approval typically within 1 to 3 working days.
  3. Documentation pack. Memorandum of Association, shareholder and director KYC, business plan summary (some free zones require this for regulated activities), lease agreement (most free zones offer flexi-desk and shared office options that satisfy the lease requirement at low cost).
  4. Licence issuance. Trade licence and Establishment Card issued. Most free zones complete this 5 to 7 working days from a clean filing.
  5. Federal Tax Authority registration. Mandatory within 3 months of incorporation (FTA Decision No. 3 of 2024). We file at incorporation to avoid late penalties.
  6. Visa applications and bank account. Investor visa and any employee visas processed in parallel. Bank account opening starts after Establishment Card issuance and typically takes 2 to 6 weeks.

Mainland LLC

  1. Activity and trade name selection. DET reserves the trade name and records the activity online, in minutes once the file is complete.
  2. Memorandum of Association. For a Dubai LLC or one-person company, DET issues the MoA in Arabic on its platform and the partners authenticate it in person or by e-signature; other legal forms go through a notary public. For 100%-foreign-owned mainland LLCs no local sponsor is required for the activities listed in the 2021 reforms.
  3. Ejari registration. Mandatory commercial lease registered with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency. We coordinate with serviced-office providers for cf24 clients who do not need a dedicated office.
  4. Trade licence. Issued by DET in Dubai or the economic department of another emirate. Once the file is complete DET issues the licence in minutes; activities that need approval from another regulator take longer.
  5. FTA, Chamber of Commerce, and Ministry of Labour. Registrations completed in parallel after licence issuance.
  6. Visa, Emirates ID, and bank. Investor visa, medical, and Emirates ID processed sequentially. Bank account opening can start once the resident director's Emirates ID is applied for; each bank sets its own conditions and timing.

End-to-end timeline from KYC clearance to operating company with bank account: 2 to 4 weeks for free zone, 5 to 9 weeks for mainland LLC.

How to open a company in the UAE in 2026: is 24 hours realistic?

Partly. IFZA, Meydan, RAKEZ and SHAMS can issue a trade licence within one working day when the founder is an individual, the activity is unregulated and the KYC pack is complete. Three things never fit in 24 hours: the Federal Tax Authority registration, the investor visa with Emirates ID, and the bank account, which takes 2 to 6 weeks. As company formation consultants in the UAE we sequence all four so the licence date is not the only date you plan around.

Required Documents

For each shareholder, director, and authorised signatory:

  • Passport (clear scan of all relevant pages, including any prior UAE entry stamps)
  • Most-recent UAE entry stamp or visa page (where applicable)
  • Recent CV (required by most free zones and by UAE banks)
  • Proof of residential address dated within three months
  • Bank reference letter (some free zones and most banks require it)
  • For corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, MoA, register of directors, UBO declaration, bank reference, all attested by the UAE embassy in the country of issuance and Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The MoA must be in Arabic and authenticated in person or by e-signature (Commercial Companies Law Art. 14); in Dubai, DET issues it for LLCs, and shareholders registered on Invest in Dubai can sign it virtually.

What are the requirements to set up a company in the UAE?

A licensed activity, a trade name approved by DET or the free zone authority, and at least one shareholder and one manager of any nationality. Then a registered lease (Ejari on the mainland, a flexi-desk in a free zone) and an authenticated Memorandum of Association. Add passport, proof of address and CV per person, then FTA registration within 3 months of incorporation.

Timeline and What Our Package Covers

The total for a UAE company depends on the free zone or emirate, the activities, the number of investor and employee visas, the office type and any customs registration. We quote it per case after a short call.

Our packages cover full incorporation, all government and licensing fees, MoA preparation and authentication, registered office or flexi-desk for year one, FTA registration, beneficial-owner registration, and a UAE bank account introduction. Investor-visa packages and Emirates ID processing are quoted separately by visa count. Contact us for a fixed-price quote matching your specific structure.

If a low-cost base inside the EU is the alternative on your list, our guide to the cheapest countries to form a company in Europe ranks those options.

Typical timelines:

Structure Day 1 Day 7 Week 2 Week 4 Week 6–9
Free zone (e.g. IFZA) KYC submitted Licence issued Visa stamped Bank account opened Operations begin
Mainland LLC KYC submitted DET initial approval MoA authenticated Trade licence issued Visa, Emirates ID, bank account

Tax Overview for UAE Companies

The UAE corporate tax landscape changed materially in June 2023 and is still being phased in.

Corporate tax: 9% (rate applicable in 2026) on taxable profits above AED 375,000 per annum. 0% below that threshold. There is no progressive scale: it is a flat 9% on the slice above AED 375,000.

Small Business Relief: 0% CT for any UAE resident person (including most companies) with revenue at or below AED 3,000,000 in the relevant tax period. Available for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029 (extended from 2026 by Ministerial Decision No. 131 of 2026). Once you exceed AED 3 million in revenue in any year, you lose Small Business Relief permanently — even if revenue subsequently drops back below the threshold.

Free Zone QFZP regime: 0% CT on Qualifying Income. A free zone entity qualifies only if it meets six conditions (Corporate Tax Law Art. 18(1), Ministerial Decision No. 229 of 2025 Art. 5(1)): adequate substance in the free zone, Qualifying Income, no election into the standard regime, transfer pricing compliance, the de minimis rule (non-qualifying revenue up to 5% of revenue or AED 5,000,000, whichever is lower) and audited financial statements. Qualifying activities include manufacturing, processing, trading qualifying commodities, holding shares for 12 months or more, logistics, treasury and headquarter services to related parties; sales to natural persons are generally excluded. Failing a condition ends QFZP status from the start of that tax period and for the following four tax periods.

VAT: 5% standard rate. Mandatory VAT registration above AED 375,000 in annual taxable supplies. Voluntary registration available above AED 187,500. Zero-rated for exports outside the GCC and for international transport.

No personal income tax. No capital gains tax for individuals. No withholding tax on outbound dividends, interest, or royalties to non-residents, regardless of treaty status. No exchange controls.

Mandatory e-invoicing (the Electronic Invoicing System, EIS) goes live on 1 January 2027 for businesses with revenue of AED 50 million or more and on 1 July 2027 for the rest; voluntary use started on 1 July 2026. We include EIS setup in our accounting packages.

The UAE has concluded 137 double tax agreements, including with most EU member states, the UK, US (limited treaty), India, China, all Gulf states, most of Africa, and most of Latin America.

Banking for UAE Companies

UAE business banking has both the strongest traditional Gulf banks and a growing digital-bank tier. The market is split into three.

Traditional UAE banks include Emirates NBD, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), Mashreq, Dubai Islamic Bank, and Commercial Bank of Dubai. These remain the standard choice for established businesses needing trade finance, letters of credit, working-capital facilities, or escrow services. They typically require an Ejari or free-zone lease, full physical KYC of the resident shareholder/director, an Emirates ID for the principal signatory, and minimum-balance commitments — typically AED 50,000 to AED 200,000 depending on the bank and account type. Account opening takes 2 to 6 weeks.

Wio Business is the leading UAE-based digital bank for new companies. Founded in 2022, supported by ADQ and ADIB. Fully app-based, fast onboarding (often 5 to 10 days), zero-balance accounts available, integrated invoicing and accounting tools. Wio is the right first introduction for most cf24 clients with a free-zone setup and a smaller initial banking footprint.

International EMIs — Wise Business and Karbon — work for some UAE-incorporated companies depending on activity and beneficial-owner profile. Useful as a secondary multi-currency account paired with a UAE primary bank, particularly for cross-border invoicing and FX-sensitive payment flows.

For mainland LLCs needing trade finance or LCs, we lead with FAB or Emirates NBD. For free-zone structures focused on services, SaaS, consulting, or e-commerce, Wio or Mashreq's Neo Biz offering are typically the fastest path to operational banking.

Nominee Arrangements in the UAE

We do not offer nominee shareholders in the UAE. Every mainland and commercial free zone company files its beneficial owners with the registrar within 60 days of licensing under Cabinet Decision No. 109 of 2023, and updates them within 15 days of a change, so shares held for an undisclosed owner defeat the filing the company must make.

The one statutory nominee route we found is offshore: the JAFZA Offshore Companies Regulations 2023 allow a JAFZA-approved corporate director to act as nominee director (Reg. 33.3). For a manager or director who runs the business in the UAE, the person is appointed in their own name and named on the licence.

Compliance and Reporting Obligations

A UAE company answers to two bodies: the licensing authority (DET or another emirate's economic department, or the free zone) for the licence and beneficial owner register, and the Federal Tax Authority for corporate tax and VAT. The calendar below applies to a standard free zone or mainland company.

Obligation Deadline or rule
Corporate tax registration Within 3 months of incorporation, with administrative penalties for late registration
Corporate tax return and payment Within 9 months after the end of the tax period
Audited financial statements Every mainland LLC has an auditor (Commercial Companies Law Arts. 27(1) and 102); for tax, every Qualifying Free Zone Person and every taxable person above AED 50 million revenue; many free zones also require audited accounts at renewal
VAT return Quarterly for most registrants, by the 28th of the month after the period
Licence renewal Annually, with a valid Ejari or free zone lease and an updated Establishment Card
Beneficial owner register Filed with the registrar within 60 days of licensing (Cabinet Decision No. 109 of 2023); changes notified within 15 days
Economic Substance Regulations Abolished for financial years ending after 31 December 2022; substance is now tested under the corporate tax QFZP rules
Transfer pricing Local file and master file above the Ministry of Finance revenue thresholds; related-party disclosure with the tax return
Payroll Mainland employers pay wages through the Wage Protection System (WPS)

Missing the licence renewal blocks visa renewals and freezes the bank account; missing the corporate tax deadlines triggers FTA penalties that accrue monthly. Our accounting packages diarise every item above alongside the e-invoicing rollout.

Forming a UAE Company as a Non-Resident

A non-resident can own 100% of a UAE company in a free zone or, since the 2021 reforms, in a mainland LLC, and can usually act as its director or manager, although some zones such as Ajman Free Zone and RAKEZ require a manager resident in the UAE, and every mainland and commercial free zone company names a UAE resident who can disclose its beneficial owners (Cabinet Decision No. 109 of 2023). No UAE residency visa is required to hold shares or a directorship, and no local sponsor or nominee is needed. Offshore companies at RAK ICC or JAFZA Offshore suit owners abroad, but they are resident persons for UAE corporate tax and register with the FTA.

A non-resident supplies a passport scan, a recent CV, proof of address dated within three months and, for most free zones and banks, a bank reference letter. Corporate shareholders provide incorporation documents attested by the UAE embassy in the country of issue and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Memorandum of Association can be authenticated by e-signature, so a licence can usually be issued without a visit.

Banking is where residency starts to matter. Most traditional banks want a signatory with a UAE residency visa and Emirates ID plus a branch visit, and non-resident-controlled accounts take 3 to 8 weeks. Wio Business and Mashreq Neo Biz are the most non-resident-friendly options for free zone companies, which is why many non-resident founders add an investor visa after licensing.

The UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so an apostille alone is never enough. Corporate documents from India, Korea, Kenya, Nigeria or South Africa follow one chain: notary, then the home foreign ministry, then the UAE embassy in that country, then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE. Individual founders from those countries usually need only a passport scan and proof of address, which is why company formation in the UAE for African and Asian founders moves faster than the corporate-shareholder route.

Owning a UAE company makes the founder eligible to apply for an investor or partner residence visa, issued through the licensing authority and the immigration authority for a term the authority sets, and tied to the licence and the lease. It is an application with a medical test and Emirates ID, not an automatic right, and the visa quota depends on the office size. The Golden visa, for five or ten years, is a separate track, and the Green visa gives investors and business partners five renewable years. We are formation agents, not immigration advisers, though we file investor visas as part of our packages.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between mainland and free zone in the UAE?

A mainland LLC is licensed by an emirate's economic department (DET in Dubai) and can trade freely throughout the UAE, including directly with UAE customers, government, and across all sectors. A free zone company is licensed by a free zone authority and benefits from 100% foreign ownership and potential 0% corporate tax (for QFZPs), but cannot generally invoice mainland UAE customers directly without a distributor, a branch or, in Dubai, a DET permit. Both allow 100% foreign ownership since the 2021 reforms.

How long does it take to form a UAE company?

A free zone company is typically licensed within 5 to 7 working days of a clean filing, with the bank account opening adding another 2 to 6 weeks. DET issues a mainland licence in minutes once the file and any external approvals are complete; visa stamping, Emirates ID issuance and bank account opening then take several weeks. End-to-end, expect 2 to 4 weeks for free zone and 5 to 9 weeks for a mainland LLC.

What is the corporate tax rate in the UAE?

The corporate tax rate is 9% on taxable profits above AED 375,000 per year. Profits below AED 375,000 are taxed at 0%. Small Business Relief provides 0% corporate tax for companies with revenue at or below AED 3 million per year, available for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029. Free zone companies qualifying as Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZPs) pay 0% on Qualifying Income, subject to economic substance and qualifying-activity tests.

Can a non-resident own 100% of a UAE company?

Yes. Free zone companies have always permitted 100% foreign ownership. Since 1 June 2021, mainland LLCs also permit 100% foreign ownership for most activities, with no UAE national sponsor required. Activities with strategic impact under Cabinet Resolution No. 55 of 2021 (security and defence, banking and insurance, telecoms and a few others) remain restricted.

Do I need a UAE residency visa to form a company?

No. A non-resident can be a shareholder and director of a UAE company without holding a UAE residency visa. However, opening a corporate bank account at most UAE banks is significantly easier when at least one shareholder or authorised signatory holds a UAE residency visa with an Emirates ID. We arrange investor visas where needed — typically 2 to 4 weeks after trade licence issuance.

Can I open a UAE business bank account from abroad?

Some UAE banks open accounts for fully non-resident-controlled companies, but most require at least one signatory with UAE residency. Wio Business and Mashreq Neo Biz are the most non-resident-friendly options for free-zone structures. Traditional banks (FAB, Emirates NBD, ADCB) typically require physical presence of the principal signatory at a UAE branch and an Emirates ID for the account opening. End-to-end timing for non-resident-controlled accounts ranges from 3 to 8 weeks.

What is QFZP status and how do I qualify?

A Qualifying Free Zone Person is a free zone entity that pays 0% corporate tax on Qualifying Income and 9% on the rest. It must meet six conditions: adequate substance in the free zone, Qualifying Income, no election into the standard regime, transfer pricing compliance, the de minimis limit on non-qualifying revenue and audited financial statements. Failing one ends the status for that tax period and the four that follow.

Get Started: Form Your UAE Company

A fixed-price quote in 60 seconds. Free zone licence in a week, mainland LLC in 3 to 4 weeks. Bank account introduction included. Investor-visa packages quoted by visa count.

Call +48 2222 5 2222 or email info@companyformation24.com to start.

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Content prepared by Aleksandra Kowalska, Corporate Client Service. Approved by Tomasz Bielski, Managing Director.

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