Overview
Why Set Up a Business in the UAE?
The UAE is one of the world's most business-friendly destinations — offering 0% personal income tax, 100% foreign ownership in Free Zones, world-class infrastructure, and a strategic location bridging East and West. With over 40 Free Zones and fast-track licensing, the UAE is the top choice for Indian entrepreneurs expanding globally.
0% Personal Income Tax
UAE levies no personal income tax. Business owners retain 100% of their earnings. Corporate tax of 9% applies only above AED 375,000 threshold.
100% Foreign Ownership
Free Zones allow 100% foreign ownership. Mainland reforms (2021) now permit full foreign ownership in most business activities without a local sponsor.
Fast-Track Setup
Most Free Zone companies can be incorporated in 3–7 working days. DED mainland trade license can be obtained within 1–2 weeks for most activities.
Easy Banking Access
UAE has 15+ international and local banks. Our banking partners help set up multi-currency corporate accounts, often remotely for NRI entrepreneurs.
UAE Residency Visa
Business owners, investors, and employees can obtain UAE residency visas (2 to 10 years). Golden Visa available for qualifying investors.
Strategic Location
Dubai is within 8 hours of 2/3rd of the world's population. World-class logistics, Jebel Ali port, and 3 major international airports.
Setup Types
Choose Your Business Structure
The UAE offers three primary business setup jurisdictions, each suited to different business goals, ownership preferences, and operational needs.
Mainland
Mainland Company (DED)
Registered with the Department of Economic Development. Can trade anywhere in UAE and with government entities. Best for retail, hospitality, and B2C businesses.
Trade across all UAE Emirates
100% foreign ownership (most activities)
Access to UAE government tenders
Physical office in any location
Free Zone
Free Zone Company (FZE/FZCO)
Set up in one of 40+ designated Free Zones. 100% foreign ownership, tax exemptions, and repatriation of 100% profits and capital. Ideal for trading, consulting, and tech.
100% foreign ownership guaranteed
Zero import/export duties in Free Zone
Quick setup — 3 to 7 days
Flexi-desk & virtual office available
Offshore
Offshore Company (RAK / JAFZA)
Incorporated in RAK ICC or JAFZA Offshore. Cannot operate locally in UAE, but ideal for international trading, holding assets, IP, and wealth management.
Lowest setup & maintenance cost
International trade & holding structures
Asset protection & estate planning
No audit or annual filing required
Branch Office
Branch / Representative Office
Foreign companies can open a branch or representative office in UAE. Branch can conduct same activities as parent; rep office is for market research & promotion only.
Extension of parent company
Requires UAE national agent (sponsor)
Suitable for established foreign firms
Regulated by MoE or DED
Quick Comparison: Mainland vs Free Zone vs Offshore
| Feature |
Mainland |
Free Zone |
Offshore |
| Trade within UAE | Yes | With distributor | No |
| Foreign Ownership | 100% (most activities) | 100% | 100% |
| Physical Office Required | Yes | Flexi-desk OK | No |
| UAE Residency Visa | Yes | Yes | No |
| Import/Export Duty Exempt | No | Yes (in zone) | Yes |
| Setup Cost | AED 15,000–50,000+ | AED 10,000–30,000+ | AED 5,000–15,000 |
| Annual Audit Required | Yes | Some Free Zones | No |
Free Zones
Popular UAE Free Zones
With 30+ Free Zones across the UAE, choosing the right one depends on your industry, budget, and visa requirements. Here are the most popular options for Indian entrepreneurs.
IFZA Dubai
Best value Free Zone in Dubai. Multi-activity license, flexi-desk, and visa allocation.
Most Popular
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)
World's #1 Free Zone. Gold, diamonds, crypto, commodities, and trading hub.
Trading & Commodities
Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA)
Prime location near DXB airport. Best for logistics, aviation, and pharma.
Logistics & Aviation
Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO)
Tech and innovation hub. Integrated community with office, living, and retail.
Technology
Sharjah Media City (Shams)
Most affordable UAE Free Zone. Ideal for consultants, freelancers, and media.
Most Affordable
Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA)
UAE's largest Free Zone. World-class port and industrial area. Offshore option too.
Logistics & Industrial
Step-by-Step Process
How We Set Up Your UAE Company
Our end-to-end process ensures a smooth, compliant, and fast company formation with zero surprises. Here's exactly what happens after you engage us.
1
Free Consultation & Jurisdiction Selection
Our UAE setup expert understands your business model, target market, and budget. We recommend the best jurisdiction (Mainland / Free Zone / Offshore) and Free Zone based on your activity and goals.
Day 1 — Free, No Obligation
2
Business Activity & Name Registration
We shortlist approved business activities from the UAE activity list, verify trade name availability, and submit the initial approval application to DED / Free Zone Authority.
Day 1–2
3
Document Preparation & Submission
We prepare and attest all required documents — MoA, Articles, passport copies, and application forms. We handle notarization and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) attestation if required.
Day 2–4
4
Trade License Issuance
Once approved, your UAE Trade License is issued. For Free Zones this can happen in as little as 3 working days. We courier the physical license and share all digital certificates.
Day 3–7 (Free Zone) / 7–14 days (Mainland)
5
Office Space & Flexi-Desk Arrangement
We arrange your Ejari (tenancy contract) for mainland office or flexi-desk/virtual office for Free Zone, depending on your visa quota requirements and budget.
Day 5–10
6
UAE Residency Visa Processing
We apply for investor/partner visa, handle Entry Permit, medical fitness test, Emirates ID biometrics, and visa stamping. Family visas and employee visas also processed.
2–4 weeks
7
Corporate Bank Account Opening
We introduce you to our UAE banking partners (Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAK Bank, ADCB, etc.) and assist in preparing a strong bank account application to maximize approval chances.
2–6 weeks (varies by bank)
Documents Required
Documents Needed for UAE Setup
The document requirements vary slightly by jurisdiction and Free Zone. Here's the standard checklist for most UAE company formations by Indian nationals.
Valid Passport Copy
All shareholders and directors. Minimum 6 months validity. Coloured scan required.
Passport-size Photographs
White background. 2–4 photographs per applicant as per Free Zone specifications.
Proof of Residential Address
Utility bill, bank statement, or government ID with current address. Not older than 3 months.
Business Plan (if required)
Required for mainland DED applications and some banks. We assist in professional business plan preparation.
Memorandum of Association
MoA drafted and notarized. We prepare the MoA as per UAE legal requirements and Free Zone templates.
Bank Reference Letter
Required by some Free Zones and for bank account opening. We advise on the format and content required.
Educational Certificates (if applicable)
Required for certain regulated activities like legal, medical, engineering, and financial advisory.
Existing Company Documents (for Branch)
COI, MoA, board resolution, and parent company audited financials for opening a branch office.
Note: Documents issued in India may require attestation by the MEA (Ministry of External Affairs), Indian Embassy in UAE, and UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). We manage the complete attestation process on your behalf.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything Indian entrepreneurs ask before setting up a business in the UAE.
Yes. In all UAE Free Zones, 100% foreign (including Indian) ownership has always been permitted. For Mainland companies, the UAE amended its Commercial Companies Law in 2021, allowing 100% foreign ownership in most commercial activities without requiring a local UAE national sponsor. A few strategic and regulated sectors (e.g., oil, gas, banking) may still require a local partner.
For most Free Zone company formations, physical presence is NOT required. Documents can be submitted and signed remotely, and the license can be issued digitally. However, for the residency visa process, you will need to visit UAE at least once (for medical fitness test, biometrics, and visa stamping). We coordinate your visit to minimize trips.
Most Free Zones have no minimum share capital requirement or require a nominal amount (e.g., AED 1,000–50,000). Mainland DED companies typically require AED 50,000–300,000 in share capital depending on the legal form (LLC). Offshore companies (RAK ICC) have no minimum capital requirement. Share capital does not need to be physically deposited for most structures.
Opening a UAE corporate bank account typically takes 2–6 weeks depending on the bank and your business profile. Banks in UAE have stringent KYC/AML requirements. We prepare a comprehensive bank application package and introduce you to the right banking relationship manager to maximize your approval chances. Neobanks and digital banks may process faster (7–14 days).
UAE introduced a 9% federal corporate tax effective June 2023 for businesses with annual taxable income exceeding AED 375,000 (~INR 85 lakh). Income below this threshold is taxed at 0%. Free Zone entities that comply with the Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) rules and earn qualifying income may continue to benefit from 0% corporate tax. Personal income tax remains 0% in UAE.
Yes. Investors who own a UAE company with a capital deposit of at least AED 2 million may qualify for a 10-year UAE Golden Visa. Additionally, entrepreneurs with a startup approved by an accredited business incubator, or investors in UAE real estate above AED 2 million, can also apply. We assist in Golden Visa applications and advise on the eligibility criteria and investment structuring.
Both are popular, cost-effective Free Zones. IFZA (Dubai) offers a prestigious Dubai address, multi-activity license (up to 3 activities in one license), and solid banking relationships. Shams (Sharjah) is even more affordable and excellent for freelancers, media, and consultants but offers a Sharjah address. If budget is a priority and business is India/international facing, Shams is great. For client-facing UAE operations, IFZA is preferred.
Client Reviews
What Our UAE Clients Say
Trusted by 2,800+ Indian entrepreneurs who set up their UAE businesses with Tax Gyani.
"Tax Gyani set up my IFZA Free Zone company in just 4 days. The dedicated manager handled everything — license, visa, and bank account. I barely had to do anything from India. Exceptional service!"
R
Rajesh Malhotra
E-commerce Trading LLC, IFZA Dubai
"I was confused between Mainland and Free Zone. The Tax Gyani team gave me a very detailed comparison and recommended Shams for my consulting firm. Saved me almost ₹80,000 vs another agent's quote."
P
Priya Venkatesh
Management Consulting, Shams UAE
"Bank account was the most stressful part. Tax Gyani's banker connections made all the difference — got my RAK Bank account approved in 3 weeks where others were getting rejected for months."
A
Amit Sharma
IT Services FZE, DMCC Dubai
"Complete transparency on costs — the quote I received was exactly what I paid. No hidden government fees or surprise charges. The process was smooth and I'd recommend Tax Gyani to any Indian setting up in UAE."
S
Sunita Kapoor
General Trading LLC, DED Dubai Mainland