Business Setup

UAE Free Zone Company Formation

100% foreign ownership, 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, and full repatriation of profits — across 45+ free zones tailored to specific industries.

Starting from
AED 12,500
Typical timeline
3–7 working days
Free consultation
No obligation
Overview

Why choose a Free Zone?

A Free Zone is a designated economic area with its own regulator, offering streamlined business setup, tax advantages, and industry-specific infrastructure. Each free zone has different licence types, costs, and permitted activities.

We work directly with the leading UAE free zones and recommend the best fit based on your activity, visa needs, and budget.

Key Benefits

Why this is the right option

100% foreign ownership

Full ownership and control, no local partner required.

0% corporate tax on qualifying income

Subject to meeting Qualifying Free Zone Person criteria.

0% personal income tax

Standard across the UAE.

Full profit & capital repatriation

No restrictions on transferring funds abroad.

Fast setup

Many zones issue licences in 3–7 working days.

Industry-specific clusters

Media, fintech, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing — choose a zone built for your sector.

What we need from you

Documents required

  • Passport copy of all shareholders (valid 6+ months)
  • Passport-size photograph
  • Proposed company name (3 options)
  • Brief business activity description
  • Visa page / entry stamp copy (if in UAE)
Our process

How it works, step by step

  1. 01

    Initial consultation

    Tell us your activity, goals, and budget. We recommend the right jurisdiction.

  2. 02

    Document collection

    We share a clear document checklist and collect everything via secure upload.

  3. 03

    Application & approvals

    Our team files the trade name reservation, initial approval, and licence application.

  4. 04

    Licence issuance

    Trade licence + MOA are issued. We hand over originals digitally and by courier.

  5. 05

    Banking & visas

    Bank account introduction and visa processing handled in parallel where possible.

Indicative Cost

Starting from AED 12,500

Free zone pricing varies widely. IFZA and Meydan start from ~AED 12,500; DMCC and DIFC start higher. Use the calculator for a tailored estimate.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Can't find what you need? Our consultants are happy to answer any specific questions.

Ask a Consultant
Can a free zone company trade in mainland UAE?+

Free zone companies can serve mainland clients via a local distributor, branch, or dual-licence arrangement. Direct sales inside mainland typically require a mainland licence.

Which free zone is cheapest?+

IFZA, Meydan, and SHAMS are commonly the most cost-effective starting points. The 'best' zone depends on activity, visa needs, and office requirements.

Do I need an office in the free zone?+

Most zones offer flexi-desk options that satisfy the office requirement at a low cost, with visa quotas tied to the package.

How long does the whole process take?+

Typical timelines are 3–10 working days from receipt of complete documents, depending on the jurisdiction and activity.

Do I need to be in the UAE during setup?+

For most setups, no. Many steps can be done remotely. Emirates ID biometrics and bank visits require a short visit.

Can I have 100% foreign ownership?+

Yes. 100% foreign ownership is now permitted for most mainland activities and is standard across all UAE free zones.

Free Consultation

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