Free zone company formation
Free zone company setup in the UAE
The UAE has more than 40 free zones, each with its own activities, office packages and visa rules. The right one depends on what you do and who you sell to. We help you compare them honestly, then take care of the application.
Overview
Why many founders start in a free zone
Free zone companies can usually be 100% foreign-owned and are licensed by the free zone authority rather than the emirate’s economic department. Many zones offer flexi-desk or shared-office packages, which keeps the set-up light for consultancies, e-commerce, trading and tech businesses with mostly international clients.
The trade-off is market access. Selling directly to customers on the UAE mainland usually needs a mainland distributor, a branch or company, or — in Dubai — a permit from the Department of Economy and Tourism for eligible activities.
- Full foreign ownership
- Flexi-desk, shared or dedicated office options
- Activity lists designed around specific sectors
- Visa allocation tied to your package and office
At a glance
- Licensing authorityThe free zone authority
- Ownership100% foreign ownership is typical
- OfficeFlexi-desk to dedicated office, by zone
- VisasAllocation depends on package and office
- Mainland tradeDistributor, branch or (Dubai) DET permit
- Corporate Tax0% possible on qualifying income for Qualifying Free Zone Persons
Choosing a zone
What we compare for you
Two zones can look similar on paper and work very differently in practice. These are the points we check against your plans.
Your activities
Whether the zone licenses every activity you need — and whether several can sit on one licence.
Shareholders
Rules for multiple or corporate shareholders, and the documents each zone asks for.
Office & visas
How many residence visas each office package allows, now and as you grow.
Mainland access
Whether you will need a distributor, branch or Dubai’s free zone mainland operating permit.
Banking
How banks view companies in that zone and with your activity profile.
Running costs
Renewal fees, visa costs and any annual audit or reporting requirements.
Step by step
How free zone set-up works
Shortlist & choose
We shortlist zones that fit your activity, visas and budget, and explain the differences.
Application & KYC
We prepare the application, shareholder documents and the zone’s due-diligence forms.
Licence & documents
The zone issues your licence, certificate of incorporation and company documents.
Visas & banking
Establishment card and residence visas, then a bank-ready file and Corporate Tax registration.
Selling in Dubai’s mainland? Since October 2025, free zone companies holding a Dubai Unified Licence can apply for a six-month, renewable operating permit for eligible non-regulated activities. Other routes include a mainland branch or a local distributor. We help you choose the most practical option.
FAQs
Free zone questions
Do free zone companies pay Corporate Tax?
Free zone companies must register for Corporate Tax. A company that meets the conditions to be a Qualifying Free Zone Person can pay 0% on its qualifying income, with 9% on other income. The conditions — including adequate substance and limits on non-qualifying revenue — are strict, so they should be reviewed each year.
Can a free zone company have an office outside the zone?
Generally the company must operate from its registered address in the free zone. Operating elsewhere in the emirate usually needs a separate licence or permit.
Which free zone is cheapest?
Headline package prices rarely tell the full story. Visa costs, renewal fees and the office you will need as you grow often matter more. We compare total costs for your plans rather than the lowest advertised price.
Can I get a residence visa with a flexi-desk?
Many free zones allow a small number of residence visas on flexi-desk packages, but the number varies by zone and changes over time. We confirm current allocations before you choose.
Free consultation
Find the right free zone
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.
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