Company Formation in Dubai and UAE Free Zones

Welcome to STA’s bespoke information on the business setup in Dubai and free zones within the UAE. Please select the relevant free zone from the left menu and then select required information (such as license fees for registering a new business, type of activities permitted in free zone, lease fee for offices, warehouses and other packages, timeline for company formation in Dubai and UAE free zones, type of legal structures available, branch company incorporation in Dubai and/or UAE, and other details relating to business setup in Dubai) from the floating menu appearing on the right.

The UAE is known to be home to one of the fastest growing economies in the world. It has culturally diversified traditions in business and trade, dating back to early Gulf history when its ships sailed along the coast of East Africa and Mozambique. The economy of the UAE with a gross domestic product of USD 570 billion in 2014, resulting in its being known as the second largest economy in the Arab world. In addition, the United Arab Emirates has been effectively diversifying its economy and is considered the most closely globally integrated of all the Arab economies. The UAE continues to make strides toward being one of the most successful strategic hubs, with business-friendly free zones and a vastly growing economy. The hosting of Expo 2020 would be the key connecting point for global businesses and international organizations to share innovations and ideas aimed at sustainable global development, and enduring benefits for future generations. This has led investors, and companies across the world consider Dubai as their business hub and have commenced procedures for business setup Dubai and UAE.

Attempts have sought to enhance the country’s business development in both local trade facilitation, as well as inflows of foreign direct investment. This is an instrumental means of achieving a balanced and sustainable development economy. Foreign trade and investment in the UAE pass strongly through the channels of many bilateral, and multilateral, cooperation agreements. Start a company in Dubai or Dubai free zone company formation mainland or; in one of the UAE Free Zones can also serve as an attractive option for foreign investors who benefit from 100 percent foreign ownership of the enterprise as well as a 100 percent repatriation of capital and profits. Foreign investors may also greatly benefit from personal income tax -free incentives and corporate tax exemptions for up to 50 years. Investors interested in carrying out general trading business in Dubai can apply for a general trading license in one of the free zones in Dubai and/or the UAE. To operate in the mainland, investors should consider forming a limited liability company (the LLC) which requires (in most cases) that fifty-one percent (51%) of shares are held by UAE national. To read more on how to register LLC and to understand procedures for LLC formation in Dubai (mainland company registration in Dubai), please click here.

The country’s strategic location between Europe, Africa, and Asia, allows the UAE to be recognized as an economically and politically stable region of the Middle East. Under the UAE law, foreign entities who wish to incorporate free zone company registration in Dubai or UAE are provided with a wide variety of options for both local and foreign investments and trade in this dynamic market. If you are planning for company registration in Dubai or registering a business or whether you require our advice on corporate structuring prior to actual company formation or business registration in Dubai Free Zone or business setup in UAE, please submit an inquiry now and one of our team members will call you and assist you in your UAE and/or Dubai business setup consultation.