Mainland, free zone or offshore. We match the jurisdiction to your activity, prepare every document and follow the file to licence issuance, then handle the visas, tax registrations and customs code that come after.
The jurisdiction decides where you can trade, your office obligations, your visa allocation and your renewal costs. It's the most important decision in the setup, so we make it with you.
Licensed by the Department of Economy & Tourism. Trade directly with any customer in the UAE.
Set up inside one of the UAE's free zones, with full ownership and a streamlined process.
A non-trading entity for holding, ownership and international structuring.
New-economy activities often need specific approvals. We confirm the right route and regulator before applying, so you don't end up licensed for the wrong thing.
Sell products or services online, from your own store or through marketplaces, under a licence that covers digital trade.
Virtual-asset activities are regulated in the UAE, by VARA in Dubai or by the relevant free-zone authority. We scope the activity and the regulator before you commit.
For virtual worlds, digital experiences, NFTs and Web3 platforms, under licence activities designed for the digital economy.
Answer three quick questions for a first recommendation. Before you commit, we'll confirm it in a consultation against your exact activity.
| Consideration | Mainland | Free Zone | Offshore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign ownership | Up to 100%For most commercial & professional activities | 100% | 100% |
| Trade inside the UAE | Unrestricted | Within the zoneMainland trade via a distributor or additional permit | Not permitted |
| Government contracts | Eligible | Limited | Not eligible |
| Office requirement | Physical office with Ejari | Flexi-desk to dedicated office | Registered agent address only |
| Residence visas | YesAllocation linked to office size | YesAllocation linked to package | No |
| Typical use | Local trading, retail, contracting, services | International trade, consultancy, tech, e-commerce | Holding, asset protection, IP ownership |
Rules vary by activity, emirate and free zone. We confirm the specifics for your activity before you commit.
Six stages, all run by one account manager. You'll always know which stage your file is at and what the next step is.
We review your activity, shareholders and plans, then recommend the jurisdiction and licence type with a clear quote.
Trade name reservation and initial approval from the licensing authority.
MOA drafting, attestations and translations, checked against the authority's current requirements.
We arrange the right office solution and register the tenancy where required.
Final submission, fee payment and issuance of your trade licence.
Partner visas, VAT and corporate tax registration, customs client code, plus AML set-up where applicable.
Exact requirements depend on the jurisdiction and activity. This is what most setups start with, and we'll send you a precise checklist after the consultation.
These are the questions we hear most in first consultations.
For most commercial and professional activities, yes. Since the UAE amended its commercial companies law, a local partner is no longer required for the majority of activities. A small number of strategic activities still carry ownership conditions, and we check yours at the consultation.
Many steps can be completed remotely with a power of attorney. Some stages, such as bank account opening, medicals and biometrics for visas, usually need you in the country. We plan the timeline so your visit is as short as possible.
Free zone companies primarily trade within their zone and internationally. To sell into the mainland, you typically work through a local distributor or obtain an additional permit where the free zone allows it. If mainland customers are your core market, a mainland licence is usually cleaner.
The company still needs its working parts: residence visas, Ejari, VAT and corporate tax registration, a customs client code if you import or export, and AML registration if your sector is regulated. We handle all of these on the same file.
It depends on the jurisdiction, activity and any external approvals required. Once we've reviewed your activity, we'll give you a realistic timeline for your case, not a generic promise.
We'll bring the requirement list to the first meeting: the authorities involved, the documents needed and a clear timeline.