Setting up a company in the UAE
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Mainland, free zone or offshore — we help you pick the right UAE structure and handle formation, corporate-tax registration, substance and residency end to end.
Flat fee, answers in 24 hours. We specialise in non-US / EU jurisdictions.
Why founders incorporate in the UAE
The UAE pairs a credible onshore reputation with a competitive tax regime and real residency. Here are the durable facts that matter when you choose a structure.
Mainland, free zone or offshore
Mainland companies operate across the UAE; free-zone companies (FZE / FZCO) trade within their zone and internationally; offshore companies (RAK ICC, JAFZA, Ajman) operate only outside the UAE. Each carries different market access, office and substance rules.
9% federal tax, 0% for qualifying free zones
A 9% federal corporate tax applies to profits above the AED threshold (introduced June 2023). Qualifying Free Zone Persons can keep a 0% rate on qualifying income if they meet substance and audited-accounts conditions. VAT is 5%; there is no personal income, inheritance or wealth tax.
100% foreign ownership
Since the 2021 reforms, foreigners can fully own mainland, free-zone and offshore companies, with no local sponsor required for most activities. Strategic-sector exceptions remain.
Substance, UBO and AML rules apply
Economic substance regulations, ultimate-beneficial-owner filing and AML rules apply across the UAE. Corporate-tax registration and annual returns are mandatory; free-zone companies need audited accounts to keep the 0% rate.
Tax residency & 100+ treaties
Mainland and free-zone companies that meet residency criteria can obtain a tax residency certificate and use the UAE's network of 100+ double-tax treaties. Offshore companies are non-resident and cannot.
A real MENA hub with residency
Best suited to trading, holding and regional operating companies that want banking access, residency visas and genuine substance in a respected, non-blacklisted jurisdiction.
How Point Legal helps with UAE structures
From choosing the right vehicle to staying compliant as the rules evolve — your dedicated counsel and CFO-led tax team handle the UAE work on a flat monthly fee.
Structure selection & setup
We help you choose between mainland, free zone and offshore, select the right free zone, and run the formation and licensing process with local agents.
Corporate-tax & VAT registration
Corporate-tax and VAT registration, small-business-relief and free-zone (QFZP) qualification analysis, and ongoing filings — led by ex-CFO operators.
Substance & UBO upkeep
Economic-substance assessments, UBO and AML filings, and audited-accounts coordination so your structure keeps its tax position.
Residency & banking coordination
Coordination on residence visas for owners and staff and on opening UAE corporate bank accounts with local partners.
Restructuring & redomiciliation
Cap-table housekeeping, multi-entity governance, and inbound/outbound redomiciliation between the UAE and other jurisdictions.
Ongoing legal & finance partner
Always-on access to legal and CFO-led tax support across all your entities — quick questions and document reviews included in the subscription.
Frequently asked questions
Mainland, free zone or offshore — what's the difference?
Mainland companies can operate across the UAE domestic market; free-zone companies (FZE / FZCO) operate within their zone and internationally but not directly in the mainland; offshore companies (RAK ICC, JAFZA, Ajman) can only operate outside the UAE and are used for holding and international structures. The right choice depends on where you actually do business, whether you need residency visas, and your substance and banking needs.
Do I pay corporate tax in the UAE?
A 9% federal corporate tax applies to profits above the AED threshold (introduced in June 2023). Free-zone companies can keep a 0% rate on qualifying income if they qualify as a Qualifying Free Zone Person — meaning adequate substance, qualifying income and audited accounts. VAT is 5%, and there is no personal income, inheritance or wealth tax.
Can a UAE company use double-tax treaties?
Mainland and free-zone companies that meet the residency criteria can obtain a tax residency certificate from the Federal Tax Authority and use the UAE's 100+ double-tax treaties. Offshore companies are non-resident by definition and cannot claim treaty benefits.
Can foreigners own 100% of a UAE company?
Yes. Since the 2021 reforms, foreigners can fully own mainland, free-zone and offshore companies without a local sponsor for most activities. A small set of strategic sectors still have ownership or board-composition rules.
What ongoing compliance applies?
Corporate-tax registration and annual returns are mandatory; VAT-registered companies file periodically; economic-substance, UBO and AML rules apply; and free-zone companies need audited accounts to keep the 0% rate. We handle these filings as part of the engagement.
Book a discovery call about your structure bottlenecks
Tell us your current setup and where it's getting stuck — incorporation, tax, substance, or banking. You'll get a real lawyer's read within 24 hours, no billing and no commitment.
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