Free Zone vs Mainland: Which Is Right for You?
The UAE offers two primary business structures for foreign entrepreneurs. The right choice depends on your target market, activities, and long-term plans — there is no one-size-fits-all answer, and the wrong choice early on can be expensive to correct.
Most Popular
Free Zone Company
from $3,900
Setup: 7–14 days
- 100% foreign ownership — no local partner required
- 0% corporate tax on profits up to 375,000 AED
- 45+ free zones — we identify the best fit for your activity
- Remote setup available in many zones
- Ideal for international trade, digital services, consulting
Full Market Access
Mainland LLC
from $5,500
Setup: 14–28 days
- Trade directly with UAE government and local market
- No restrictions on number of visas
- Physical office address required
- Certain activities may require a UAE national service agent
- Ideal for retail, construction, F&B, healthcare
We work with clients across all 45+ UAE free zones and have established relationships with government departments for Mainland setups. After a brief consultation, we'll recommend the specific jurisdiction that minimises your costs and maximises flexibility.
What's Included in the Setup
Our company formation service covers every document and interaction — you won't need to navigate a single government portal yourself.
- Jurisdiction and activity code selection
- Trade name reservation and approval
- Memorandum of Association (MoA) drafting and notarisation
- Trade licence application and issuance
- Establishment card (Immigration card)
- Ministry of Labour / MOHRE company registration
- Ejari (office lease registration) if applicable
- Post-setup guidance: corporate bank account, VAT registration
Annual Support Plans
After formation, every UAE company must renew its trade licence annually. Missing renewals results in fines and can affect employee visas. Our annual support plans handle renewals, compliance filings, and ongoing government interactions.
- Basic — $2,900/year: Trade licence renewal, establishment card renewal, registered address maintenance
- Advanced — from $4,900/year: Everything in Basic plus bookkeeping, VAT filing, payroll for up to 3 employees, and priority support
Crypto & Blockchain Companies
The UAE is one of the few jurisdictions globally with a clear regulatory framework for virtual asset businesses. VARA (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority) in Dubai and ADGM in Abu Dhabi both offer licensing pathways. We have experience structuring crypto exchanges, custody providers, and Web3 projects.
- VARA / ADGM licensing guidance and application support
- Compliant corporate structure for token issuance
- Holding company and operating entity separation
- AML/KYC policy drafting for regulatory submission
Holding Structures & Trademark Registration
If you own multiple businesses or need to protect intellectual property, we design multi-entity holding structures optimised for the UAE's tax and corporate framework. We also handle UAE and GCC-wide trademark registration to protect your brand.
- Holding company formation in ADGM, DIFC, or free zones
- Subsidiary structuring for multiple operating businesses
- UAE trademark search, filing, and registration
- GCC-wide trademark protection coordination
Process Overview
1
Consultation & Jurisdiction Selection
We assess your activities, target market, and budget to identify the optimal structure. You receive a clear recommendation with reasoning.
2
Document Collection
Passport copies, proof of address, and activity descriptions. We provide a precise checklist — nothing more, nothing less.
3
Name Reservation & Licence Application
We submit the trade name and licence application, handling any rejections or queries from the authority on your behalf.
4
Document Issuance
Trade licence, MoA, establishment card, and all supporting certificates delivered to you digitally, with physical copies where required.
5
Post-Setup Support
We assist with corporate bank account opening, VAT registration, and your first employee visa — all from the same team.