FAQs
Company Formation
In the UAE, you can establish various types of business entities, including:
- Limited Liability Company (LLC): Suitable for local businesses, providing unrestricted access to both local and international markets. A limited number of regulated activities still require a local sponsor or partner.
- Free Zone Company: Allows 100% foreign ownership and offers significant tax benefits. Cannot trade directly on the UAE mainland market without additional licensing.
- Offshore Company: A holding and asset-protection vehicle that cannot conduct business inside the UAE.
- Branch Office: An extension of a parent company, operating under the same name and business activities.
- Representative Office: Engages in marketing and promotional activities without conducting commercial transactions.
Each structure has its own advantages and legal requirements.
The company formation process typically involves:
- Selecting the Business Activity: Determine the nature of your business operations.
- Choosing the Legal Structure: Decide on the appropriate company type (e.g., LLC, Free Zone Company).
- Registering the Trade Name: Reserve a unique company name with the relevant authorities.
- Obtaining Approvals: Secure initial and special approvals if required for certain activities.
- Drafting Legal Documents: Prepare the Memorandum of Association and other necessary documents.
- Leasing Office Space: Fulfill the physical office requirement as per jurisdictional regulations.
- Licensing: Apply for and obtain the business license from the relevant authority.
Engaging with a corporate service provider can streamline this process.
The timeframe for company formation varies based on the business type and jurisdiction:
- Mainland Companies: Approximately 2 to 3 weeks.
- Free Zone Companies: Typically 1 week.
- Offshore Companies: Around 1 week.
Delays can occur due to incomplete documentation or additional approval requirements.
The total depends on the jurisdiction, licensed activity, and visa requirements. A complete mainland setup with INCORPORTAS, including the trade license, Memorandum of Association, one resident visa, Emirates ID, and bank account opening assistance, starts from USD 14,500 with all government and service fees included. Free zone setups are typically more affordable. We provide a fixed, itemised quotation before any engagement, with no hidden fees.
For mainland companies, a local sponsor (UAE national) holding at least 51% ownership is generally not required anymore for most business activities. Free Zone companies do not require a local sponsor, permitting full foreign ownership without limitations.
Accounting, Tax & Audit
Yes, maintaining proper accounting records is mandatory for businesses in the UAE. Companies must keep their financial records for at least five years to comply with regulations and facilitate VAT and corporate tax filings.
All companies incorporated in the UAE, including Free Zone companies, must register for corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority, regardless of profit level. The corporate tax return must be filed, and any tax paid, within 9 months of the end of the financial year. Late registration and late filing carry administrative penalties, so registration should be handled immediately after incorporation.
The standard VAT rate in the UAE is 5%. Businesses with taxable supplies exceeding AED 375,000 annually must register for VAT, while those below this threshold but above AED 187,500 may register voluntarily. Exported goods and services to destinations outside the UAE are 0% VAT-rated, making them VAT-neutral for compliant businesses.
The corporate tax rate is 9% on taxable profits exceeding AED 375,000, with profits below this threshold taxed at 0%. All businesses in the UAE must register and file corporate tax returns. For Free Zone companies, a 0% rate applies to qualifying income if specific conditions are met, while non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%. For Mainland businesses, the tax base is calculated from accounting profits, adjusted for exemptions and disallowed expenses. Eligible small businesses with annual revenue up to AED 3,000,000 can claim Small Business Relief, available for the last time for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2026.
Not for everyone. Under UAE corporate tax rules, audited financial statements are mandatory for companies with annual revenue exceeding AED 50,000,000 and for all companies claiming the Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) status, regardless of revenue. In addition, several free zone authorities require audited accounts for license renewal even below this threshold. For a typical SME, a statutory audit costs USD 1,500-2,500.
UAE Visas
The UAE offers various residency visas, including employment visas for workers, investor visas for business owners and property investors, family visas for dependents, and the prestigious Golden Visa, which provides long-term residency for qualifying individuals such as investors, skilled professionals, and exceptional students.
The UAE Golden Visa offers 5 or 10 years of residency and is designed for exceptional individuals. Eligibility includes investing in property worth AED 2 million or more, earning a high salary (typically AED 30,000+ per month in eligible professions), or demonstrating extraordinary talent in fields such as science, technology, medicine, or the arts. Entrepreneurs, researchers, and outstanding students may also qualify.
You can qualify for an investor visa by investing in property (with a minimum value of AED 750,000), establishing a business, or investing in a UAE-based company. The visa's validity depends on the type of investment and the amount involved.
An individual qualifies as a UAE tax resident under domestic rules by spending 183 days per year in the UAE, or 90 days combined with a UAE residence visa and a permanent place of residence or business ties in the country. The Tax Residency Certificate is issued by the Federal Tax Authority and serves as the key document for double taxation treaty purposes. Whether you also cease to be a tax resident of your home country depends on its domestic rules, which we review as part of every relocation plan.
Standard processing typically takes 10 to 14 working days, depending on the category and document readiness. Through our established process, we can complete a Golden Visa application in as little as 48 hours in standard cases, handling eligibility assessment, documentation, medical tests, biometrics, and Emirates ID collection end to end.
Bank Account Opening
Yes, but with limitations. Traditional UAE banks generally expect at least one shareholder or manager to hold a UAE residence visa and Emirates ID, and non-resident applications face longer reviews and higher rejection rates. Where residency is not planned, Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs) offer a practical alternative with faster onboarding. In most cases, obtaining a residence visa first significantly improves your banking options.
Required documents typically include the company’s trade license, Memorandum of Association, passport copies of shareholders, Emirates ID for resident shareholders, and proof of business activity, such as contracts or invoices.
The timeline varies depending on the bank and the complexity of your business. On average, it takes 3 to 8 weeks. Working with experts can help minimize delays by ensuring all documents are complete and accurate.
Yes, Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs) provide a fast and efficient option. EMIs offer flexible solutions, including accounts suitable for UAE companies and those involved in crypto transactions. They can complement or substitute traditional banking in certain cases.
While no provider can guarantee bank account approval, INCORPORTAS has a 100% success rate due to its strong network of UAE banks and EMIs, as well as extensive experience in preparing complete and compliant applications.
Legal Support
Having a professionally drafted will ensures that your assets in the UAE are distributed according to your wishes, as local inheritance laws may apply by default if no will is in place. It provides clarity, reduces disputes, and protects your family’s interests.
Yes, through our network of licensed legal professionals, we assist in drafting and reviewing contracts to ensure they are clear, enforceable, and compliant with UAE laws. This includes commercial agreements, shareholder agreements, and more.
We act as a bridge to connect you with credible, licensed legal experts who specialize in corporate and commercial law. Our role ensures you receive tailored legal advice and solutions for matters such as corporate structuring, governance, and document preparation.
Foreign corporate and personal documents, such as powers of attorney, corporate resolutions, diplomas, and marriage or birth certificates, must typically be legalised in the country of origin and then attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs before UAE authorities accept them. Timelines depend on the issuing country. We coordinate the entire attestation chain for Slovak and Czech documents.
The UAE operates two parallel systems: onshore courts applying UAE civil law in Arabic, and the common law DIFC Courts operating in English. Contracts can designate DIFC Courts or arbitration as the forum, which is why governing law and jurisdiction clauses deserve attention at the drafting stage. Our own service agreements are governed by English law with DIFC Courts jurisdiction, a structure we also help clients evaluate for their own contracts.
Real Estate Advisory
Real estate in the UAE involves complex regulations and unique market practices. Advisory services help you avoid common pitfalls, such as rushing into transactions, mismanaging payments, or misunderstanding ownership laws, ensuring your investments are secure and compliant.
Corporate ownership can offer advantages such as asset protection, easier transfer of ownership, and potential tax benefits, depending on your tax domicile. Personal ownership is often simpler but may expose assets to personal liabilities.
Yes, rental income or capital gains from UAE properties may be taxable in your country of tax domicile. It’s essential to understand these obligations to avoid unexpected liabilities and ensure compliance with international tax laws.
Yes, we coordinate with licensed legal professionals to draft and review essential documents, such as purchase agreements, powers of attorney, and wills, ensuring your property transactions are secure and compliant with UAE laws.
Yes. Foreign nationals can buy property with full ownership rights in designated freehold areas, which cover most of Dubai's prime districts. Ownership is registered with the Dubai Land Department, and no residence visa is required to buy. A property purchase of AED 750,000 or more can qualify you for an investor residence visa, and AED 2,000,000 or more for the 10-year Golden Visa.


