UAE business setup and licensing
Aventys guides you through the whole process: choosing between mainland, free zone and offshore, getting your trade licence, then arranging visas, a bank account and premises. You get one team from first call to first invoice.
Book a free consultationHow we approach your setup
Global ambition, local know-how
We match your business model to the right UAE jurisdiction, so your licence fits how you actually plan to trade.
Careful documentation
We check every form, approval and shareholder document before submission, so applications are not sent back for avoidable errors.
Set up from anywhere
Many free zone setups can be completed remotely, so you can start before you move to the UAE.
The four stages of your setup
Each stage has a clear output, so you always know what has been done and what comes next.
Consultation and jurisdiction choice
We review your goals, clients and budget, then recommend mainland, free zone or offshore and define your licensed activities.
Licence application
We reserve the trade name, obtain initial approvals, prepare the Memorandum of Association and secure your licence from the relevant authority, such as Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DED) or your chosen free zone.
Visas and premises
We handle the establishment card, investor and employee visas, Emirates ID and your office or flexi-desk arrangement.
Banking and tax registration
We prepare you for bank due diligence and register your company for corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority.
Choosing your jurisdiction
The right choice depends mainly on who your customers are and where they are based.
Mainland
Trade directly with customers anywhere in the UAE and bid for government contracts. Since 2021, most activities allow 100% foreign ownership, apart from a short list of strategic activities. Read our mainland setup guide.
Free zone
100% foreign ownership, simpler licensing and often lower entry costs. Best suited to businesses serving international clients or other free zone companies. See SPC, IFZA, Meydan, JAFZA and DMCC.
Offshore
Useful for holding assets or shares and for international structuring. Offshore companies generally cannot trade directly in the UAE market, and a physical office is typically not required.
What it costs and how tax works
Licence fees
Free zone licences start from about AED 5,750 (SPC's advertised starting price). Mainland fees vary by activity and location.
Visas and premises
Visas are priced per person and billed separately from the licence, alongside the establishment card, medical test and Emirates ID. Office options range from flexi-desks to private offices.
Corporate tax
0% on taxable profit up to AED 375,000 and 9% above that. Free zone companies get 0% on qualifying income only if they meet all Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions.
Prices change. We confirm current fees with you in writing before you commit. Use our cost calculator or see the packages overview.
Common questions
Can a foreigner own 100% of a UAE company?
Yes, in free zones and, for most activities, on the mainland since the 2021 reforms. A limited list of strategic activities still has ownership restrictions, so we check your specific activity before you apply.
Do free zone companies pay 0% corporate tax?
Not automatically. The 0% rate applies only to qualifying income of a company that meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions, including adequate substance and staying within the limit on non-qualifying revenue. Other income is taxed at 9% above AED 375,000. All companies must still register for corporate tax.
Do I need to be in the UAE to set up?
Not for many free zone setups, which can be done remotely. Residence visas, Emirates ID and medical tests do require a short visit.
Is DED the same as DET?
Yes. Dubai's Department of Economic Development is now part of Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET). Many people still say DED.
Tell us about your business
Share your activity, budget and target customers, and we will recommend a jurisdiction and give you a clear, itemised quote.
Talk to AventysOur Latest Business Setup Projects
See the tangible results of our UAE business setup and licensing expertise. From agile tech startups in Dubai Internet City to established trading companies in DMCC and professional consultancies on the Mainland, we turn diverse entrepreneurial visions into licensed, operational realities.
