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Free zone company formation

Establishment of UAE free zone entities, in coordination with licensed corporate service providers.

UAE free zones offer 100% foreign ownership, predictable governance, and a curated set of permitted activities per jurisdiction. The right zone depends on the operating model, banking expectations, and the longer-term plan for the business.

[TO BE REPLACED — extend to ~250 words: cover the major free zones (DMCC, IFZA, ADGM, RAKEZ, RAK ICC, Meydan), how to think about choosing, and what role our practice plays in coordination with licensed corporate service providers.]

Who it suits

  • Founders launching service businesses with international clientele
  • Holding-company structures for international portfolios
  • Trading and re-export operators with bonded-warehouse needs
  • Funds and investment-management vehicles using ADGM
  • Family offices using RAK ICC for asset structuring
  • [TO BE REPLACED — add typical client profiles]

Process

  1. 01

    Jurisdiction selection

    [TO BE REPLACED] We compare zones across activity match, share capital, office requirements, banking acceptance, and regulatory filing burden — and recommend a shortlist.

  2. 02

    Name reservation and initial approval

    [TO BE REPLACED] Coordinate name reservation, activity approval, and any non-objection letters required for the chosen activity codes.

  3. 03

    Documentation and shareholding

    [TO BE REPLACED] Prepare and review MOA / AOA, shareholder declarations, beneficial ownership, and authorised signatories.

  4. 04

    Trade licence and Establishment Card

    [TO BE REPLACED] Oversee licence issuance and Establishment Card application.

  5. 05

    Office and tenancy

    [TO BE REPLACED] Coordinate flexi-desk, dedicated office, or virtual setup per the zone's requirements.

  6. 06

    Banking introductions

    [TO BE REPLACED] Once the entity is licensed, we proceed to corporate banking introductions (see separate service).

Documents required

  • Passport copies of all shareholders and directors
  • Recent passport-style photographs
  • Proof of address for each shareholder (utility bill / bank statement)
  • CV or business profile of beneficial owners
  • Proposed company name and three alternatives
  • Activity description and supporting evidence (existing trading record, references)
  • [TO BE REPLACED — add documents specific to the chosen zone and activity]

Timeline

[TO BE REPLACED — typical end-to-end window from kick-off to trade licence in hand and Establishment Card issued. Discuss ranges by zone (e.g. DMCC vs IFZA vs RAKEZ) and the dependency on banking introductions which run in parallel.]

Frequently asked

How do I choose between DMCC, IFZA, ADGM, and the others?
[TO BE REPLACED] The zone choice depends on activity, banking expectations, regulatory profile, and cost. We provide a structured comparison and a clear recommendation before committing to any one.
Do I need a physical office?
[TO BE REPLACED] Free zones offer flexi-desk, shared, dedicated, and virtual options. The right answer depends on visa allocation needs and banking acceptance.
Can a free zone company invoice mainland UAE clients?
[TO BE REPLACED] Generally yes for B2B services to mainland clients, with nuance by activity. Some on-shore distribution requires a local agent. We outline the constraint upfront.
Is corporate tax payable on free zone profits?
[TO BE REPLACED] UAE Corporate Tax (effective 2023) applies to most entities, with a Qualifying Free Zone Person regime for eligible activities. The factual analysis is performed by a registered tax advisor; we coordinate the introduction.
How long does the licence stay valid?
[TO BE REPLACED] Most free zone licences run on a one-year cycle with annual renewal. We track renewals and coordinate them as part of ongoing stewardship.
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