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Dubai Free Zone Company Formation
Set up in one of Dubai’s free zones with full foreign ownership, flexible office options and a licence tailored to your activity.
What a free zone company offers
Free zones are designated areas with their own authorities, rules and licensing. Companies set up there benefit from full foreign ownership, simplified procedures and specialised business communities, from commodities and finance to media and technology.
Free zone companies mainly do business inside the zone and internationally. They can serve UAE mainland clients in many cases, but selling goods into the mainland usually goes through a distributor or a mainland entity. We explain what this means for your plans.
At a glance
- 100% foreign ownership
- Flexi desk to full office options
- Single or multiple shareholders
- Residence visas linked to the package
- Possible 0% corporate tax on qualifying income
Compare the leading zones
Free zone formation services
- Free zone comparison and selection
- Activity and package selection
- Name reservation
- Application and KYC documents
- Shareholder and director appointments
- Licence and certificate of incorporation
- Lease agreement or flexi desk
- Establishment card
- Investor and employee visas
- Corporate bank account support
- Qualifying free zone person assessment
- Licence renewals
Why set up with Emna Capital
01
One point of contact
A single advisor manages your file from the first call to the day your licence, visas and bank account are ready.
02
The right jurisdiction
We compare mainland, free zone and offshore options against your activity, clients and budget before you commit.
03
Paperwork done properly
Applications, attestations and translations are prepared and checked by our team to avoid rejections and delays.
04
Support after setup
Accounting, VAT, corporate tax, renewals and PRO work continue with the same team once you are trading.
How free zone setup works
Step 1
Choose the zone
We shortlist the free zones that fit your activity, budget and visa needs.
Step 2
Select the package
Licence type, number of activities, office option and visa allocation.
Step 3
Submit the application
KYC documents and forms are prepared and submitted to the free zone authority.
Step 4
Sign and pay
Incorporation documents are signed and fees paid, often fully online.
Step 5
Licence issued
You receive the licence, certificate of incorporation and company documents.
Step 6
Visas and banking
We apply for visas and prepare your corporate bank account application.
Documents you will need
Exact requirements depend on the authority, the activity and the shareholders involved. We confirm the final list with you before anything is submitted.
- Passport copies of shareholders and directors
- Passport size photographs
- Proof of residential address
- Business plan or activity description for some zones
- Corporate documents for corporate shareholders
Frequently asked questions
Many free zone companies can provide services to mainland clients. Importing and selling goods into the mainland generally needs a mainland distributor or entity. We check the rules for your zone and activity.
They are within the corporate tax regime. A Qualifying Free Zone Person can benefit from a 0% rate on qualifying income if it meets the conditions, and standard rules apply to other income.
Most zones offer flexi desk or shared office options for small teams. Larger visa quotas usually require a dedicated office.
Cost depends on the activity, the number of visas and the office type. We compare packages across several zones for you.
Talk to an Emna Capital advisor
Tell us what you are planning and we will map out the route, the paperwork and the timeline. The first consultation is free.