Business Setup in the UAE

The right structure for your business.

Your structure affects where you can trade, how many visas you can hold, what office you need and how you are taxed. Choose it deliberately.

Compare side by side

Mainland company formation

Licensed by the Department of Economic Development (or equivalent) in your chosen emirate.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman
Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain
Trade directly across the UAE market
Eligible for government contracts

Free zone company formation

Set up in a free zone that fits your activity, budget and visa needs.

Free zone selection by activity
Flexible office packages
Suited to international trade and services
Support across relevant UAE free zones

Offshore company formation

International and holding structures in relevant UAE offshore jurisdictions.

Holding and asset structures
International trading
Ownership and succession planning
Registered agent coordination

LLC company formation

The most widely used structure for trading and service businesses.

Shareholder and manager structure
Memorandum of association
Trade name and initial approval
Office and Ejari support

Branch office setup

Extend an existing UAE or foreign company into a new emirate or into the UAE.

Parent company documentation
Attestation guidance
Local service agent where required
Same activity as the parent

Representative office setup

Promote your parent company's products and services without trading locally.

Market research and promotion
Liaison with local partners
Lower operating commitment
Path to a full entity later

Mainland, free zone or offshore?

A general comparison. Actual rules depend on the emirate, free zone and business activity.

Talk to an advisor

Comparison of UAE company structures
	Mainland	Free zone	Offshore
Where you can trade	Anywhere in the UAE market, including directly with the public	Within the zone and internationally; UAE mainland trade typically via a distributor or additional licence	Outside the UAE; no onshore trading
Ownership	100% foreign ownership available for many activities	100% foreign ownership	100% foreign ownership
Physical office	Required (Ejari-registered)	Flexi-desk to full office, depending on zone	Not required; registered agent address
Residence visas	Linked to office size	Linked to package and office	Generally not available
Typical fit	Retail, contracting, local services, government clients	Consultancies, e-commerce, trading, tech, media	Holding companies, asset and IP ownership

Indicative only. We confirm the requirements for your exact activity and jurisdiction during consultation.

Licensing, banking and visas

The steps that turn a registered company into an operating one.

Business licensing

The right licence type for what you actually do.

Commercial
Professional
Industrial
E-commerce
Consultancy
Tourism
Media
Healthcare
Educational

Corporate bank account assistance

Preparing a strong application and coordinating with suitable banks.

Bank selection by business profile
KYC document preparation
Business plan and source-of-funds support
Introductions and follow-up

PRO & visa services

Government transactions handled so your team can start work sooner.

Investor, partner, employee and family visas
Emirates ID and medical fitness
Work permits
Renewals and cancellations
Establishment card and related support

How we work with you

Consultation
We listen to your plans, current setup and deadlines, then confirm what you actually need.
Clear proposal
You receive a written scope, timeline and fee breakdown before any work starts.
Delivery
One point of contact coordinates the documents, submissions and approvals for you.
Ongoing support
Renewals, filings and changes are tracked, so deadlines never catch you out.

Setup questions

All FAQs

Should I choose a Mainland or Free Zone company?

It depends mainly on where your customers are and what you plan to do. A mainland company can generally trade anywhere in the UAE market, while a free zone company is usually suited to international trade, services delivered within the zone, or businesses that value zone-specific benefits. We compare both against your activity, budget, visa needs and office requirements before you commit.

How do I choose the correct business activity?

Your licence activity decides what you are legally allowed to do, which authority licenses you, and sometimes whether extra approvals are needed. We map what you actually plan to sell or provide to the activity codes available in each jurisdiction, so the licence matches the business rather than restricting it later.

What documents are required for company formation?

Requirements vary by jurisdiction and structure, but typically include passport copies of shareholders and managers, visa or entry stamp copies where applicable, passport photographs, a proposed trade name and, for corporate shareholders, attested company documents. We give you an exact checklist once the structure is agreed.

Can MIRAI assist with corporate bank account opening?

Yes. We help you prepare the documents and business profile banks usually ask for and coordinate introductions with suitable banks. Final approval always rests with the bank's own compliance review.

Can you assist with visas and PRO services?

Yes. We support investor, partner, employee and family visas, Emirates ID, work permits, medical fitness, renewals, cancellations and related government transactions.

After setup

Plan your company setup

Share a few details and an advisor will reply within one working day with next steps or a quotation.