Book a Consultation

Business Setup

Business setup in Dubai and across the UAE

Choose the right jurisdiction, get licensed and start trading, with the paperwork handled for you.

Book a consultation What we cover

Setting up a company in the UAE involves more decisions than most founders expect. Mainland or free zone, which emirate, which licensed activities, how many visas, how the shares are held: each choice shapes what you can do later, from where you are allowed to sell to how you are taxed.

The rules have also moved on considerably in recent years. Most mainland activities can now be fully foreign-owned, Corporate Tax applies to almost every company, and banks examine new account applications more closely than they once did. A structure that made sense a few years ago is not necessarily the right one today.

We help you make these decisions with the whole picture in view, then take care of the applications, approvals and follow-up. Because we also handle accounting, tax and AML compliance, the company we set up is ready for what comes after the licence, not just the licence itself.

What we cover

Business Setup services

  • 01

    Mainland company formation

    A mainland company is licensed by the economic department of the emirate it operates in (in Dubai, the Department of Economy and Tourism) and can trade directly with customers anywhere in the UAE. It suits businesses that need to serve the local market in person, such as retail, contracting and many service firms. We handle the trade name, initial approval, tenancy registration and licence issuance from start to finish.

    • Choice of legal form and licensed activities
    • Trade name reservation and initial approval
    • Memorandum of association and Ejari tenancy registration
    • Licence issuance with the Department of Economy and Tourism
  • 02

    Free zone company formation

    The UAE has dozens of free zones, each with its own fees, permitted activities, office options and visa allowances. A free zone company can be fully foreign-owned and suits businesses that trade internationally or mainly with other companies. We compare zones against your actual plans rather than the headline package price, then manage the application through to licence issuance.

    • Shortlisting free zones by activity, cost and visa needs
    • Flexi-desk, shared office or dedicated premises options
    • Application, document submission and licence issuance
    • Advice on selling to customers on the mainland
  • 03

    Offshore company formation

    An offshore company is a non-trading entity, typically used to hold shares, property or intellectual property, or to sit at the top of a group structure. It cannot trade inside the UAE or sponsor residence visas. We help you decide whether an offshore vehicle genuinely serves your purpose and, if it does, take you through incorporation with a registry such as RAK ICC or JAFZA Offshore.

    • Assessing whether an offshore entity fits your goal
    • Registry selection and incorporation documents
    • Coordination with the registry’s registered agent
    • Corporate Tax and beneficial ownership considerations
  • 04

    Trade licence issuance and renewal

    A trade licence must be renewed every year, and renewal often depends on other things being current: a valid tenancy contract, an establishment card and, in many free zones, audited financial statements. A lapsed licence can lead to fines and can block visa processing for the company. We track your renewal dates and prepare everything in advance, so renewal is routine rather than a last-minute scramble.

    • New licence applications and added activities
    • Renewal date tracking and advance preparation
    • Tenancy, establishment card and approval checks
    • Clearing fines and reinstating expired licences
  • 05

    Corporate bank account assistance

    Opening a corporate bank account is often the slowest step in starting up, because banks need to be satisfied about who owns the business, where its money comes from and how it will trade. A clear, complete application makes a real difference. We help you assemble the documents and business profile banks look for and approach banks whose criteria suit your business, although the final decision always rests with the bank.

    • Bank shortlisting based on your activity and profile
    • Business profile, KYC and source-of-funds documents
    • Preparation for the bank’s compliance interview
    • Follow-up until a decision is reached
  • 06

    Visa, Emirates ID and PRO services

    Once the company is licensed, owners, employees and their families need residence visas and Emirates ID cards. Each stage, from entry permit and change of status to medical test and biometrics, has its own forms, fees and timings. Our PRO service handles the submissions and government liaison and keeps track of renewal dates for every visa your company sponsors.

    • Investor, partner and employee residence visas
    • Family sponsorship for spouses and children
    • Emirates ID applications and renewals
    • Establishment card, labour and immigration filings
  • 07

    Local sponsorship and corporate structuring

    Since the ownership reforms, most businesses no longer need a UAE national shareholder or local service agent. Some still do, because of their activity or licence type, and others choose one for practical reasons, and in those cases we arrange it for you. We also advise on structuring decisions best made early: whether to use a holding company, a branch or a subsidiary, and how ownership is split between partners.

    • Checking ownership rules for your chosen activities
    • Local service agent or UAE national partner, arranged where needed
    • Holding company, branch and subsidiary structures
    • Ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) records
  • 08

    Amendments, transfers and company liquidation

    Businesses change: partners join or leave, activities expand, premises move, and some companies eventually close. Each change needs regulator approval and updated documents, and closing a company properly means clearing tax registrations, visas and liabilities before the licence is cancelled. We manage amendments, share transfers and voluntary liquidation so nothing is left open that could cause problems later.

    • Shareholder, manager and activity amendments
    • Share transfers and trade name changes
    • Changes of premises and legal form
    • Voluntary liquidation, de-registration and licence cancellation

Process

How we work

  1. Understand your plans

    We discuss what you will sell, to whom and where, and how many people need visas. This tells us which jurisdictions and licence types genuinely fit.

  2. Recommend a structure

    We set out the realistic options side by side, covering costs, timelines, visa allowances and restrictions, and recommend one.

  3. Prepare and submit

    We prepare the documents, reserve the trade name and submit applications to the relevant authority, keeping you updated at each approval.

  4. Licence, visas and bank

    Once the licence is issued, we move straight on to the establishment card, residence visas, Emirates IDs and the bank account application.

  5. Ready for compliance

    We register the company for Corporate Tax, and for VAT where required, and can put bookkeeping in place from the first month.

Business Setup

Why clients choose Shastra

  • 01

    Set up with what comes next in mind

    We also handle accounting, tax and AML work, so we structure companies with their ongoing obligations already accounted for.

  • 02

    Honest comparisons

    We compare jurisdictions on what they will cost and allow over several years, not on the cheapest first-year package.

  • 03

    Partner-led advice

    Structuring questions are discussed directly with a partner of the firm.

  • 04

    In the UAE since 2017

    We have been helping businesses establish and operate in the UAE since 2017.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Have a question that is not answered here? Ask us directly, and we will give you a straight answer.

Ask a question
Should I choose a mainland or a free zone company?

It depends mainly on who your customers are. If you will sell directly to customers in the UAE market, a mainland licence usually makes sense. If you trade internationally or mainly with other businesses, a free zone may be the better fit. Visa needs, office requirements and your Corporate Tax position also matter, so we look at all of them together.

Can a foreign national own 100% of a UAE company?

In most cases, yes. Free zone companies have always allowed full foreign ownership, and since 2021 most mainland activities can be fully foreign-owned too. A limited set of activities still requires UAE national participation, which we check against your chosen activities before you apply.

How long does it take to set up a company?

The licence itself can often be issued within a few working days to a few weeks, depending on the jurisdiction and whether any activity needs an external approval. Visas and the bank account add further time, and the bank account is usually the longest step. We give you a realistic timeline for your specific case at the outset.

Do I need to be in the UAE to set up a company?

Several steps can be completed remotely, particularly in free zones that accept digital signatures and online submissions. Residence visas, however, require a medical test and biometrics in the UAE, and most banks expect to meet account signatories. We plan the process to keep the number of visits to a minimum.

Does my new company need to register for Corporate Tax?

Yes. UAE companies, including free zone companies, must register for Corporate Tax with the Federal Tax Authority even if they expect to pay no tax. For new companies the deadline is linked to the date of incorporation, so it is best to register promptly once the licence is issued.

What happens if my trade licence is not renewed on time?

Late renewal usually attracts fines, and an expired licence can block visa processing and other government services for the company. If your licence has already lapsed, we can work out what is outstanding and bring the company back into good standing.

Insights

Latest on Business Setup

All articles

  • Accounting & Bookkeeping

    Accurate books, timely financial statements and practical reporting, from monthly bookkeeping to a part-time CFO.

  • Tax

    VAT, Corporate Tax and excise compliance and advice, covering registrations, returns, refunds, disputes and planning.

  • Audit & Assurance

    Statutory and external audits, internal audit, due diligence and specialist reports that give owners, regulators, banks and buyers confidence in your numbers.

  • AML & Compliance

    goAML registration, AML/CFT policies, risk assessments, screening and training for businesses with anti-money-laundering obligations.

Consultation

Talk to us about Business Setup

Tell us a little about your business and what you need. We will come back to you to arrange a conversation, usually by phone or WhatsApp.

By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy.