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Find your UAE setup
Six questions about your activity, customers, owners, visas, workspace and priorities. You get an indicative direction in under a minute — and can send it to us for a free review.
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.
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The three options in detail
| 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.
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