Answers to common questions about setting up your business in the UAE.
A Mainland license allows you to trade directly within the local UAE market and intentionally. A Free Zone license offers 100% foreign ownership and tax benefits but generally restricts trading directly within the UAE mainland without a local agent.
For most Free Zone licenses, you do not need a local sponsor. Recent laws also allow 100% foreign ownership for many Mainland business activities, reducing the need for a local sponsor in many cases.
The timeline varies depending on the license type and authority. Generally, a Free Zone company can be set up in 3-5 working days, while a Mainland company might take 1-2 weeks depending on approvals.
Yes, starting a company in the UAE entitles you to apply for an investor or partner visa, which is a residency visa. The duration (typically 2-3 years) depends on the jurisdiction.
Many steps of the company formation process can be done remotely. However, for visa processing and medical tests, your physical presence in the UAE is required.
We guide you through the banking requirements, help prepare your company profile and documents, and connect you with our partner banks to facilitate a smoother account opening process.