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Company formation in UAE
Our company provides assistance in establishing business entities in the United Arab Emirates. Our goal is to let our customers focus on doing business instead of dealing with bureaucracy. We can take care of everything from choosing the most appropriate legal form to submitting the required documents to the business registry. For a fixed fee, you may appoint as many directors as needed. If you need any permits or licences to start operating, we will take care of that as well. Contact us for more details.
Types of Business License
The types of Business Licenses issued in Dubai and other emirates in United Arab Emirates (UAE) are professional, commercial, industrial and tourism. The professional license covers services offered by professionals, artisans and craftsmen; the commercial license covers all trading and commercial activities performed with an intention of making profit ; the industrial license covers all industrial and manufacturing activities. The tourism license covers all activities related to hospitality & tourism. The type of license depends on the business activity of the company or enterprise.
Jurisdiction of the Company
In UAE, a company can be formed in any of the following three jurisdictions: Mainland, Free Zone and Offshore. The licensing authority in mainland is the Department of Economic Development of the respective emirates. In Free Zones, the relevant Free Zone Authority will be the licensing authority and respective Offshore Authority in the case of Offshore jurisdiction.
Offshore Company
UAE Offshore company registration is a very popular method of doing business in the Middle East region. In UAE there are three offshore jurisdictions – Dubai (Jebel Ali Offshore Company), Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman. They offer similar services but serve different strategic goals of offshore company registration. The Jebel Ali Offshore Company is an International Business Crown/holds the only offshore vehicle that is permitted to own / hold real estate in the Emirate of Dubai. JAFZA Offshore operated under JAFZA Free zone.
The RAK Offshore and the RAK International Company (RAKICC) are International Business Companies. They provide a flexible and credible option for foreign investors to register an offshore company in UAE without the need to establish a physical presence in the UAE. RAKICC is also allowed to hold the freehold property in Dubai.
UAE Offshore companies offer the following benefits:
Legal Forms of Business
The common legal forms of business in Mainland, Free zone and Offshore formation in the UAE are:
Under Law of UAE, there are five types of business establishments applicable to foreign entities interested in establishing their presence in the UAE. UAE government has implemented wide range of economic and administrative policies which has made UAE an attractive business destination.
A company can create a permanent establishment, create an entity in any of the UAE free zone, enter into a commercial agency agreement, establish a branch office, create a civil company (currently possible to establish a company in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman).
No hidden fees. You provide a single payment that covers all expenses, we take care of the rest.
Company formation plus virtual office plus banking plus professional business advice.
Hundreds of satisfied customers can attest to our professionalism.
You do not have to travel if you don’t want to. The process can be carried out remotely.
We take care of all the formalities and prepare all documents necessary to start a business.
Just drop us an email or give us a call and we will send you short list of information that we need. After you provide it to us you can come anytime to proceed with the formalities.
Establishing a new company in United Arab Emirates is a structured process that typically takes 2-5 business days. ShelfCompanies24 handles the entire formation process on your behalf, from preparing the articles of association to registering with all relevant authorities.
The following legal structures are available for company formation in United Arab Emirates:
| Company Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Free Zone Company (FZE/FZC), LLC (mainland), Branch, Civil Company | |
The minimum share capital requirement is Varies by free zone (some from AED 0).
Companies formed in United Arab Emirates are subject to a corporate tax rate of 9% (0% for income up to AED 375,000, free zones may be exempt). The standard VAT rate is 5%. The currency is AED (UAE Dirham, pegged to USD).
Standard company formation in United Arab Emirates takes approximately 2-5 business days. For exact pricing tailored to your specific requirements, please contact our consultants.
Company registration in United Arab Emirates typically takes 2-5 business days. ShelfCompanies24 handles the entire process on your behalf.
You will need valid passport copies, proof of address, description of business activities, and proof of source of funds. Our team guides you through all documentation requirements.
Yes, foreign nationals can establish companies in United Arab Emirates. There are generally no restrictions on foreign ownership of UAE companies.
The minimum capital requirement in United Arab Emirates is Varies by free zone (some from AED 0). Our consultants can advise on the optimal capital structure for your business.
ShelfCompanies24 acts as your dedicated company formation agent in UAE. Our experienced team handles the entire registration process on your behalf — from preparing incorporation documents and liaising with local authorities to obtaining your company registration number, tax identification, and all required certificates. As a company formation agent with over 30 years of experience across 50+ jurisdictions, we ensure a smooth, compliant, and fast incorporation process. Whether you need a brand-new company or prefer a ready-made shelf company in UAE, our agents guide you through every step — including corporate bank account opening, registered address setup, and ongoing compliance support.
Contact our company formation agents today for a free consultation and competitive quote for company formation in UAE.