UAE business & corporate services
Build your business in the UAE. We handle the complexity.
Support Hub sets up and supports companies across the UAE — trade licences, residence visas, government paperwork, bank account applications and tax registrations, coordinated by one team from our office in Al Qusais, Dubai.
- Mainland, free zone & offshore
- Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman & beyond
- One coordinator, start to finish
Options before you commit
We compare the routes that fit your activity and explain what each one involves.
Checklists, not surprises
You get the document list and step plan at the start — not halfway through.
Paperwork handled
Typing, submissions and follow-up with the authorities, done on your behalf.
Support after licensing
Renewals, new visas, amendments and tax registrations as you grow.
What we do
Everything your company needs to start — and stay compliant
From the first licence application to the visas, bank account and tax registrations that follow, Support Hub handles the steps that slow founders down.
Company formation
Mainland, free zone and offshore companies: activity selection, trade name, approvals, licence and immigration file.
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Visas & Emirates ID
Investor, partner, employee and family residence visas, medicals, biometrics, renewals and cancellations.
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PRO & document clearing
Establishment cards, labour and immigration transactions, licence renewals and government submissions.
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Corporate bank accounts
A complete, bank-ready KYC file and introductions to suitable UAE banks — without false promises.
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Tax & finance
Corporate Tax and VAT registration, Tax Residency Certificates and CFO-level financial advice.
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Legal translation & attestation
Certified Arabic translation and the attestation chain your documents need to be accepted in the UAE.
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Choosing a jurisdiction
Mainland, free zone or offshore?
The right structure depends on who your customers are, what you will do and how many people you need to bring to the UAE. Here is how the three options compare in practice.
| Mainland | Free zone | Offshore | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Most commercial and industrial activities can now be 100% foreign-owned. A short list of strategic activities still carries conditions, and some professional or sole-establishment licences may need a UAE national as local service agent. | 100% foreign ownership is standard. Each free zone sets its own rules for shareholders and corporate structures. | 100% foreign ownership. Set up through a registered agent of the offshore registry. |
| Where you can trade | Directly across the UAE market and internationally, including with mainland customers and, after vendor registration, government entities. | Inside the free zone and internationally. Doing business on the mainland usually needs a distributor, a mainland branch or a specific permit, depending on the emirate. | Outside the UAE only. Offshore companies are used for holding and international activity, not for trading within the UAE. |
| Licensed activities | A broad catalogue of commercial, professional and industrial activities, licensed by the emirate's economic department (DET in Dubai). | Activities from the free zone's own approved list. Lists differ between zones, so the activity often decides the zone. | Holding, investment and permitted international activities only. |
| Office requirement | A physical office with a registered tenancy contract (Ejari in Dubai) is normally required. | Flexi-desk, shared or dedicated office options, depending on the zone and package. | No office. A registered agent address is used. |
| Residence visas | Visa eligibility is linked mainly to office size and immigration approvals. | The visa allocation depends on the package and office type you choose. | Offshore companies cannot sponsor UAE residence visas. |
| Bank account | Corporate accounts are available; every bank runs its own KYC review. | Corporate accounts are available; banks look closely at substance and the source of funds. | Possible but more selective; expect enhanced due diligence. |
| Often chosen by | Retail, contracting, restaurants, local service businesses and anyone selling mainly to UAE customers. | Consultancies, e-commerce, international trading and founders who want lighter overheads. | Holding structures, asset ownership and international investment vehicles. |
General guidance only. Exact requirements depend on your business activity, the licensing authority, the free zone and current regulations, which can change. We confirm the details for your case before you commit.
Find your UAE setup
Six questions. An honest first answer.
Answer a few questions about your plans and get an indicative direction — then send it to us for a free review by a consultant.
Question 1 of 6
This tool gives an indicative direction based on common scenarios. It is not legal or tax advice; the right structure depends on your exact activity and current rules.
How it works
From first call to fully operational
A clear sequence, with you informed at every stage. Timelines depend on the activity and the authorities involved — we give you a realistic estimate up front.
Consultation
Tell us your activity, partners, visa needs and budget. We map the options and list the documents you will need.
Structure & approvals
Trade name reservation, initial approval and the company documents — MOA or free-zone application.
Licence & immigration
Licence issuance, establishment card and labour file, then entry permits, medicals and Emirates ID.
Bank & compliance
A bank-ready document pack, Corporate Tax registration and reminders before renewals fall due.
Visas & Emirates ID
Residence visas for owners, staff and family
Residence is now recorded on the Emirates ID rather than a passport sticker, and the steps run in a fixed order. We prepare each application and book the medical and biometrics appointments in between.
- Investor and partner visas
- Employment visas and work permits
- Family sponsorship
- Medical fitness and Emirates ID
- Renewals and cancellations
- Golden Visa eligibility check
PRO services
Government transactions, without the queues
Every UAE company deals with immigration, labour and licensing authorities throughout the year. Our PRO team prepares, submits and follows up on those transactions so you can stay focused on the business.
- Establishment card (immigration file)
- MoHRE labour file and work permits
- Trade licence renewals and amendments
- Document clearing and typing
- Tenancy (Ejari) and supporting approvals
- Visa processing for new hires
After the licence
Banking and tax, set up properly from day one
Two steps every new company faces — and where incomplete paperwork causes the longest delays.
Corporate bank account assistance
Banks review every application under UAE Central Bank KYC rules, so approval is never automatic. We help you present a complete, consistent file: licence and MOA, shareholder documents, business profile, expected activity and source of funds.
Banking assistance
Corporate Tax, VAT & tax residency
Every UAE company must register for Corporate Tax — even if it expects to pay none — and late registration can mean an AED 10,000 penalty. We handle registration on EmaraTax, assess VAT thresholds and apply for Tax Residency Certificates.
Tax & finance
Why the UAE — and why Support Hub
A strong place to build. A straightforward partner to build with.
Why founders choose the UAE
- Up to 100% foreign ownership for most mainland activities, and in free zones
- No personal income tax on salaries; Corporate Tax at 0% up to AED 375,000 of taxable profit and 9% above
- More than 40 free zones, each built around particular industries
- Residence visas that let owners and staff live here with their families
- A central location between Europe, Africa and Asia
How we work
- Straight answers about what is possible for your activity, before you pay for anything
- One named coordinator who follows your file from start to finish
- Written document checklists and step plans, so nothing is requested at the last minute
- Plain-English advice grounded in the official requirements, not sales talk
- Support that continues after licensing — renewals, visas and tax deadlines
Google reviews
Rated 5.0 on Google
Clients have rated Support Hub five out of five on Google Maps. Read what they say about working with us — or share your own experience.
5.0
5 out of 5 stars
Google rating · Support Hub, Al Qusais
Questions
What people ask before they start
Short answers to the questions we hear most. For anything specific to your activity, ask us directly.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a UAE company?
Yes, in most cases. Free zone companies can be fully foreign-owned, and since the Commercial Companies Law reforms most mainland activities can be too. A short list of strategic activities still has ownership conditions, and some professional licences may need a local service agent. We confirm what applies to your activity.
Do I need a physical office?
Mainland companies normally need a registered office with a tenancy contract (Ejari in Dubai). Many free zones offer flexi-desk or shared options. Your office choice also affects how many residence visas the company can sponsor.
How long does company formation take?
It depends on the jurisdiction, the activity, any external approvals and how quickly documents are ready. Some licences are issued within days; regulated activities take longer. We give you a realistic timeline once we know your plans — the authorities set the processing times, not us.
Can you guarantee a corporate bank account?
No one can honestly guarantee it. Each bank makes its own decision under UAE Central Bank rules. What we can do is prepare a complete, consistent application and approach banks that suit your profile, which improves your chances and avoids avoidable rejections.
Does my company need to register for Corporate Tax?
Yes. All UAE companies, including free zone companies, must register with the Federal Tax Authority, even if they expect to pay 0%. New companies should register within three months of incorporation to avoid a late-registration penalty.
Which emirates do you work in?
We are based in Al Qusais, Dubai, and work with the licensing and immigration authorities of Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and the other emirates, as well as their free zones.
Free consultation
Ready to plan your UAE company?
Share a few details and a Support Hub consultant will call you back to talk through options, documents and next steps. There is no obligation.
- A clear recommendation for your activity
- A written document checklist
- A realistic timeline and cost breakdown