Company Formation
Setting up in the UAE as a foreign owner, freezone, mainland and offshore explained.
How to set up a UAE company as a foreign owner, properly: freezone vs mainland vs offshore, what setup really costs (including the renewals the headline price leaves out), how long it takes, whether you need an office, and how to choose help, or whether you need it at all. 100% foreign ownership is standard; fitting the structure to your plans is the part worth getting right.
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The e-Trader licence in Dubai: who it's for and how it works
Dubai's e-Trader licence lets home-based sole traders sell online legally for a low annual fee, but it covers one person only, won't sponsor a visa, and isn't available to UAE nationals.
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Dubai mainland company formation cost: what actually drives it
Dubai mainland company formation costs more than a freezone, the real drivers are the DED licence, Ejari office lease, and your activity list. Here's what moves the number.
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Company formation in Dubai: the complete guide
Everything that goes into forming a company in Dubai, in plain order: the mainland vs freezone vs offshore choice, the licence and registration, and the two decisions that matter most before you start.
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Starting a business in Dubai as a foreigner: how it actually works
Foreigners can own and run businesses in Dubai, usually 100%, without a local partner. Here is how it works, what it costs, what you need, and the two things to get right before you start.
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When is a Dubai mainland company the right call?
Mainland companies in the UAE offer unrestricted trading, direct government contracting and no foreign ownership limits. Here is when that structure makes sense over a freezone.
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What is a UAE holding company, and who actually needs one?
A UAE holding company owns businesses and assets rather than trading itself. Here's what it does, how it's taxed, when it genuinely helps an international founder, and when it's overkill.
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Setting up in the UAE as a UK or European founder
The UAE setup process for UK and European founders, what's different from a generic international setup, which structures fit which circumstances, and the cross-border questions to sort before you commit.
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Cheap UAE company setup: what the low headline price leaves out
Those eye-catching low setup prices rarely tell the whole story. What a cheap UAE company-setup headline usually excludes, and how to work out the real cost before you commit.
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Questions to ask before you hire a UAE company-formation company
A short, honest checklist of questions that separates a good UAE setup partner from a slick sales pitch, total cost, why this freezone, banking help, ownership and aftercare.
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DIY UAE company setup vs done-for-you: the honest trade-offs
Setting up your UAE company yourself versus paying someone to do it, what each really costs in money, time and risk, and how to tell which one fits your situation.
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Can I base my company in Dubai but live abroad?
Yes, you can own and run a UAE company while living and travelling elsewhere. The model location-independent founders use, plus the two catches: visa presence and where you personally pay tax.
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Which UAE emirate is cheapest to set up and live in?
Looking beyond Dubai: how the emirates compare on the cost of setting up a company and living there, and why the cheapest on paper isn't always the best fit.
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How much does it cost to set up a company in Dubai?
What actually drives the cost of a Dubai company, structure, freezone, visas and office, and why the headline licence fee is rarely the full picture.
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How long does company setup in the UAE take?
Realistic timelines for setting up a UAE company, from trade licence to visas and a bank account, and the things that speed it up or slow it down.
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Do I need a physical office to set up in Dubai?
Whether you need a physical office to form a company in Dubai, how flexi-desks and shared workspaces satisfy the requirement, and when a real office genuinely matters.
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Freezone, mainland or offshore: which UAE structure?
The three UAE company structures explained for foreign owners, what each is for, who it suits, and how to choose the right one before you commit.
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How to set up a company in Dubai as a foreigner
The end-to-end process for foreign owners: choosing a structure, your activity and licence, registering, and using the company to get residence visas. Most freezone setups take about a week.