Dubai, local time

Free zone company in Dubai

Full foreign ownership, a residence visa through your own company and a 0% rate on qualifying income. The fastest route into the UAE for a business that sells abroad.

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100%foreign ownership

0%corporate tax on qualifying income

9%on other profit above AED 375,000

2 to 3 weeksto licence

Our partners in the UAE

Is UAE FZCO right for you?

We would rather tell you now than after you have formed it.

Start your company Not sure? Talk to an advisor

Built for you if

Your clients are outside the UAE
You consult, trade online or hold investments
You want a residence visa through your company
You want low running costs

Probably not, if

You sell directly to UAE consumers or the government
You need a shop, restaurant or site on the mainland
Your activity is not licensable in a free zone

What we arrange

Everything you need to start trading, set up in the right order.

Six parts

One team.
One fixed fee.

Handled by one team, from the first filing to the first invoice.

Start your company

Free zone choice

IFZA, DMCC, Meydan, RAKEZ or another zone, chosen for your activity, visas and cost.

Licence and registration

Trade licence, memorandum and share certificates.

Visa allocation

Residence visas for you, partners and staff.

Corporate bank account

A UAE bank or fintech, with a compliance file built to pass.

Qualifying Free Zone Person

The tests for 0%, documented each year so the rate holds.

Corporate tax and VAT

Registration and returns with the Federal Tax Authority.

How it holds up at home

A free zone licence says nothing about where your company is managed. Run it from your home country and it is usually taxed there. The 0% rate only works for you once management, and usually you, are in the UAE.

Timeline

Indicative. Your plan gives the dates for your situation.

Week 1Zone and activity chosen
Week 1 and 2Licence issued
Week 2 to 4Visa and Emirates ID
Week 3 to 8Bank account live

Questions about UAE FZCO

Not listed? Ask it on your strategy call.

What is the difference between FZCO and FZE?

Mostly naming per free zone. Both are limited liability free zone companies with 100% foreign ownership. Most zones now allow a single shareholder under either name.

When do I get the 0% rate?

As a Qualifying Free Zone Person: adequate substance in the zone, qualifying income, audited accounts and non-qualifying revenue within the de minimis limit. Otherwise 9% applies above AED 375,000.

Can I invoice UAE mainland clients?

Business to business, often yes. Selling directly to consumers on the mainland usually needs a mainland licence or a local distributor.

Do I need an office?

A flexi desk is enough for most licences. For the 0% regime and banks, real substance in the zone weighs more than the minimum.