Start a Business in UAE

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates is a world-class business hub as it continuously served and nourished local and foreign investments. With over 40+ free zones and unlimited business solutions, UAE has become the centre of global free trade. Its strategic location has opened doors to global markets and proved an efficient trading system and strong financial institutions, making UAE a beehive of economic stability.

Why Setup my
Company in UAE?

UAE is an ideal location for business setup as it has zero corporate tax, minimal currency restrictions, and has a wide range of license types and permitted business activities, to name a few. Its economy progressively and consistently grows, cultivating an environment full of opportunities, development, and success among its people.
16th
Ease of
Doing business
100%
Foreign
Ownership
0%
Personal
Tax
0%
Corporate
Tax

How to setup my
Company in UAE?

Decide on your company structure

Choose from the wide range of permitted legal entities in the country and finalize your overall business plan.

Initial Approval & Trade Name Reservation

Complete your requirements and submit a trade name reservation with the Dubai DED.

License Application & Issuance

Officially submit your application and receive your business license to begin your business activities.

Jurisdictions in the UAE

Select the best fit to your company’s requirements
Investors flock to Dubai to create a name for themselves and join the game - as many know that success is inevitable in the Emirate. It has a strong workforce and a sturdy economy, mostly coming from oil and gas, automotive, industrial companies, and international trade. Though the UAE offers many company formations in each of the Emirates, starting a Dubai Mainland Company remains to be one of the best solutions there is to expand your market. Just last year, an amendment to the Commercial Companies allowed 100% foreign ownership in selected business activities.
To boost international business, free zones in the UAE are characterized as a cost-effective business setup, allowing 100% foreign ownership, minimal currency restrictions, tax haven, and allows business activities outside of the UAE only. Setting up a Free Zone Company is modernized and quick - some authorities permit remote applications as well as zero visa requirement in business packages. Currently, there are at most 40 free zones established in the country.
Offshore companies have the lowest cost of business setup as it does not allow companies to have a physical presence in the UAE. It is a legal entity that receives a trade license but not not allowed to conduct any business activities within the region. Instead, it is used to protect assets, avoid overwhelming administrative obligations, and expand the market of your current company. However, Offshore companies still receive jurisdiction and tax benefits, making it an obvious choice for foreign investors around the world.

International Freezone Authority

Country name
UAE
Starting Price
From AED 11,900
Foreign Ownership
100% Ownership
Incorporation Time
Up to 3 Business Days
Corporate Tax
0%
Personal Tax
0%

Meydan Freezone

Country name
UAE
Starting Price
From AED 12,500
Foreign Ownership
100% Ownership
Incorporation Time
Up to 7 Business Days
Corporate Tax
0%
Personal Tax
0%

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone

Country name
UAE
Starting Price
From AED 8,240
Foreign Ownership
100% Ownership
Incorporation Time
Up to 3 working days
Corporate Tax
0%
Personal Tax
0%

Sharjah Media City Freezone

Country name
UAE
Starting Price
From AED 5,750
Foreign Ownership
100% Ownership
Incorporation Time
Up to 5 Business Days
Corporate Tax
0%
Personal Tax
0%

Sharjah Publishing City

Country name
UAE
Starting Price
From AED 5,750
Foreign Ownership
100% Ownership
Incorporation Time
Up to 2 hours
Corporate Tax
0%
Personal Tax
0%

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre

Country name
UAE
Starting Price
From AED 35,484
Foreign Ownership
100% Ownership
Incorporation Time
Up to 18 Business days
Corporate Tax
0%
Personal Tax
0%

Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone

Country name
UAE
Starting Price
From AED 8,000
Foreign Ownership
100% Ownership
Incorporation Time
Up to 5 Business days
Corporate Tax
0%
Personal Tax
0%

Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi

Country name
UAE
Starting Price
From AED 9,450
Foreign Ownership
100% Ownership
Incorporation Time
Up to 3 Business Days
Corporate Tax
0%
Personal Tax
0%

Dubai South

Country name
UAE
Starting Price
From AED 12,425
Foreign Ownership
100% Ownership
Incorporation Time
Up to 9 Business days
Corporate Tax
0%
Personal Tax
0%

Jebel Ali Free Zone

Country name
UAE
Starting Price
From AED 47,800
Foreign Ownership
100% Ownership
Incorporation Time
Up to 14 Business days
Corporate Tax
0%
Personal Tax
0%

Ajman Media City Free Zone

Country name
UAE
Starting Price
From AED 7,995
Foreign Ownership
100% Ownership
Incorporation Time
Up to 8 Business Days
Corporate Tax
0%
Personal Tax
0%

Dubai Mainland

Country name
UAE
Starting Price
From AED 15,655
Foreign Ownership
100% Ownership
Incorporation Time
Up to 10 working Days
Corporate Tax
0%
Personal Tax
0%

Jebel Ali Offshore

Country name
UAE
Starting Price
From AED 16,500
Foreign Ownership
100% Ownership
Incorporation Time
Up to 10 Business days
Corporate Tax
0%
Personal Tax
0%

Ajman Offshore

Country name
UAE
Starting Price
From AED 8,500
Foreign Ownership
100% Ownership
Incorporation Time
Up to 10 Business days
Corporate Tax
0%
Personal Tax
0%

Featured Jurisdictions

IFZA Freezone

  • Zero Visa Package
  • Up to 6 Visa Available
  • Up to 3 Activities
  • Multiple shareholder
  • Multi-year licenses available
  • 1-Free Visa For Life*

SHAMS Freezone

  • Zero Visa Package
  • Up to 6 Visa Available
  • Up to 3 Activities
  • Multiple shareholder
  • Multi-year licenses available
  • 1-Free Visa For Life*

RAKEZ Freezone

  • Zero Visa Package
  • Up to 6 Visa Available
  • Up to 4 Activities
  • Multiple shareholder
  • Multi-year licenses available
  • Installment plan available
  • 1-Free Residence Visa*

*For Selected Packages Only

Would you like to find out more?

Frequently Asked Questions

Know more about the UAE.

Free zones have multiple benefits and lesser restrictions compared to Mainland business setup, including foreign ownership and physical office requirement.

Investors incorporating in free zone authorities should expect a ten-day to a six-week timeline when incorporating in a free zone authority. The timeframe will depend on many factors, including the business activity the investor wants to hold in his/her company.

Yes, your company may need to rent a dedicated space within the authority. Authorities offer affordable packages which include flexi desks, smart desks, and dedicated desks.

Offshore companies conduct zero business within their jurisdiction of incorporation. They are non-resident companies that are exempted from corporate taxes because they do not perform any business activities within the country/jurisdiction.

Yes, it is legal, as it is established within a legal and tax framework. However, companies with criminal intentions have brought bad publicity to it. Authorities in UAE offshore strongly oppose these actions, but they assure investors that business setup in the jurisdiction is within and approved by the law.

Offshore companies in the UAE do not receive the following benefits:

• Residency visas for their employees
• Trade within the country
• Cannot lease or rent a local premise in the UAE

Offshore companies have the following restricted activities:
• Financial
• Forex
• Insurance
• Medical practice
• Education

Unlike companies incorporated in the free zones and offshore authorities, mainland company setup allows businesses in any place in the UAE.

However, recent amendments to the Commercial Companies Law allowed 100% foreign ownership on selected activities.

No, Free Zone authorities allow 100% foreign ownership.

The United Arab Emirates has diversified its economy for the past years. From being an oil & gas economy country, the UAE has since developed its media, tourism, manufacturing, financial, and other sectors, thus making the country known worldwide. It is also known as the entry point for business in the Middle East region, with its liberalized norms and cosmopolitan population.

Other reasons include:

• Ranked 16th on Ease of Business World Bank ranking among 190 countries
• Strong workforce availability
• Low tax rates
• Liberal foreign ownership
• Access to International banking
• Strong healthcare and education policies
• Long term residency visas for foreign shareholders and employees
• Advanced business technology and infrastructure

Your license determines the business activities your company is allowed to perform within its jurisdiction. The three main categories of a license issued in the UAE are
1. Commercial/Trade License – license issued to businesses aiming to undertake trading and general trading activities
2. Industrial License – license issued to companies seeking to engage in the manufacturing, producing, and distributing of products
3. Professional License – license issued to professionals aiming to provide professional services and consultancy

WHY IBG

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Service Guaranteed 24/7 at your service guaranteed

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Installment plan 0% Installment Plan

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The United Arab Emirates has become a world-class business hub as it is continuously served and nourished local and foreign investments.

Client Testimonials

Ahmad Khalil

I would like to thank harsha and sajad by names for the effort they did to get my visa done million thanks to all the team

Aeon International FZ-LLC

Deepa Nair

Thanks to Mr Mahesh and Ms Harsha for guiding us in every step towards registering our company. They made the process so smooth and easy for us that we recommend IBG consultants to get your work done in a most professional way. They responded to our queries any time of the day and the quality of their services were top class. Way to go IBG! Thanks and regards..

VMentor

RADHAKRISHNA

Thanks to Ms. Harsha and the team for guiding me towards registering my company. They made the process so smooth and easy for me. I will recommend IBG consultants to anyone to get their trade license process done in a professional way. Appreciate the quality of response to my queries , Way to go IBG!

Aspire Point Technical Services LLC

Marites Maite

We had our business processed by IBG Consulting, and they had exceeded our expectations. Mahesh Maddu did an amazing job explaining each process and throughout the whole registration. Harsha, who is in charge of the back-end processing, is prompt and efficient in updating us with our license. Overall, I highly recommend IBG Consulting for all your business licensing needs.

Project X1 LLC

Subashi Joshi

When we decided five years ago to start our business in Dubai, we approached IBG Consulting for our business license and other documents. From day one, we appreciate how they interacted and exerted efforts for us, each with a smile on their faces, until we finish the whole legal process. All necessary documents were processed within the timeframe.
We can say that we have a good working relationship with IBG Consulting, and will remain as it is in the future. They are all very supportive and prompt in their services. They gave us the best solutions and treated us with respect. We wish them good luck and we look forward to more corporate services available from their agency.

Welldone International FZC

Ljiljana Conic

Our experience with IBG was and still is great. They helped us to support our clients to do business in UAE. Especially thanks to Mr. Erano and Ms. Fatima – efficient team of professionals. We ll definitely do business with them in future and recomend them to our clients.

Conic&Tonic - Republic of Serbia

Zuhair

Quality Business Organization
Easy to reach, advertised in popular e-media, sociable personnel, high standard communication, segregate task assignment among employee, well trained and expert workforce, friendly feeling.

PRO Services

Ihab Dakak

Great Experience with IBG
My experience with IBG was great! the team is so supportive and continuously provided a high level of service. Indeed, Recommended.

Marketo Rex LLC

Rakesh

IBG helped me in getting my dependents.
IBG helped me in getting my dependents’ visa processed. The service offered by IBG was great, and the most important part of the service is their response and being transparent, especially in terms of charges, timelines etc. I recommend to consult IBG for visa related services in UAE.

PRO Services

Rickee

Working with IBG was smooth like butter, this was made possible only by people like Mr.Mahesh, Ms.Harsha and Ms.Fatima. They are best in their respective jobs and maintained professionalism throughout my company opening process and follow up requirements.
100% I will recommend IBG to my contacts!

PRO Services

Jenifer Silva

Excellent Customer Service. IBG helped us setting up our business smoothly. They go above and beyond – SUPERB customer service!! A big thank you to the operations team (Ms. Fatma and most especially to Mrs. Halima Amin).

100% will recommend to my contacts!!

AromaPlus

RCB

Business Set-Up Licensing
Excellent Work With Halina and IBG Staff, Very Professional and Supportive.

RCB Consulting

Ahmad Khalil

I would like to thank harsha and sajad by names for the effort they did to get my visa done million thanks to all the team

Aeon International FZ-LLC

Deepa Nair

Thanks to Mr Mahesh and Ms Harsha for guiding us in every step towards registering our company. They made the process so smooth and easy for us that we recommend IBG consultants to get your work done in a most professional way. They responded to our queries any time of the day and the quality of their services were top class. Way to go IBG! Thanks and regards..

VMentor

RADHAKRISHNA

Thanks to Ms. Harsha and the team for guiding me towards registering my company. They made the process so smooth and easy for me. I will recommend IBG consultants to anyone to get their trade license process done in a professional way. Appreciate the quality of response to my queries , Way to go IBG!

Aspire Point Technical Services LLC

Marites Maite

We had our business processed by IBG Consulting, and they had exceeded our expectations. Mahesh Maddu did an amazing job explaining each process and throughout the whole registration. Harsha, who is in charge of the back-end processing, is prompt and efficient in updating us with our license. Overall, I highly recommend IBG Consulting for all your business licensing needs.

Project X1 LLC

Subashi Joshi

When we decided five years ago to start our business in Dubai, we approached IBG Consulting for our business license and other documents. From day one, we appreciate how they interacted and exerted efforts for us, each with a smile on their faces, until we finish the whole legal process. All necessary documents were processed within the timeframe.
We can say that we have a good working relationship with IBG Consulting, and will remain as it is in the future. They are all very supportive and prompt in their services. They gave us the best solutions and treated us with respect. We wish them good luck and we look forward to more corporate services available from their agency.

Welldone International FZC

Ljiljana Conic

Our experience with IBG was and still is great. They helped us to support our clients to do business in UAE. Especially thanks to Mr. Erano and Ms. Fatima – efficient team of professionals. We ll definitely do business with them in future and recomend them to our clients.

Conic&Tonic - Republic of Serbia

Zuhair

Quality Business Organization
Easy to reach, advertised in popular e-media, sociable personnel, high standard communication, segregate task assignment among employee, well trained and expert workforce, friendly feeling.

PRO Services

Ihab Dakak

Great Experience with IBG
My experience with IBG was great! the team is so supportive and continuously provided a high level of service. Indeed, Recommended.

Marketo Rex LLC

Rakesh

IBG helped me in getting my dependents.
IBG helped me in getting my dependents’ visa processed. The service offered by IBG was great, and the most important part of the service is their response and being transparent, especially in terms of charges, timelines etc. I recommend to consult IBG for visa related services in UAE.

PRO Services

Rickee

Working with IBG was smooth like butter, this was made possible only by people like Mr.Mahesh, Ms.Harsha and Ms.Fatima. They are best in their respective jobs and maintained professionalism throughout my company opening process and follow up requirements.
100% I will recommend IBG to my contacts!

PRO Services

Jenifer Silva

Excellent Customer Service. IBG helped us setting up our business smoothly. They go above and beyond – SUPERB customer service!! A big thank you to the operations team (Ms. Fatma and most especially to Mrs. Halima Amin).

100% will recommend to my contacts!!

AromaPlus

RCB

Business Set-Up Licensing
Excellent Work With Halina and IBG Staff, Very Professional and Supportive.

RCB Consulting