UAE company setup

UAE Company Formation Made Simple: Mainland, Free Zone and Offshore

UAE company formation is the first step for entrepreneurs, investors and international groups that want a base in the Middle East. However, the choice between mainland, free zone and offshore can feel confusing, because each route has its own rules, costs and limits. Our UAE team therefore starts with your plans, then recommends the right structure and handles the licence, visas and bank account for you.

Registered agent in the UAE Our Sharjah team acts as a registered agent for mainland, free zone and offshore companies, including Ajman Free Zone. As a result, you deal with one team from your first question to your trade licence.

Why the UAE
Setup options
Process
Documents
After incorporation
FAQ

Why set up your company in the UAE?

The UAE has become one of the most popular places in the world to start or expand a business. In addition, UAE company formation works well both for a first startup and for a regional office of an established group. These are the main reasons our clients choose it:

Full foreign ownership in every free zone and in most mainland activities.
A strategic location that links Europe, Asia and Africa.
Competitive taxes: no personal income tax, 9% corporate tax on profits above AED 375,000 and 5% VAT.
Modern infrastructure, a strong legal framework and access to international talent.
Residence visas for investors, their families and their staff.

UAE company formation options: mainland, free zone or offshore

The right setup depends on where your customers are, which activities you need and how many visas you plan to apply for. Below, you find a short summary of each route. For the full details, open the page of each option.

Mainland company

Sell directly to customers anywhere in the UAE, bid for government contracts and choose your office location freely.

Free zone company

Full ownership, a fast setup and zone-specific benefits. Ideal for consultants, tech firms, traders and startups.

Offshore company

A holding, IP or international trading vehicle that does not need a UAE office or residence visa.

Mainland, free zone and offshore compared
Topic	Mainland	Free zone	Offshore
Foreign ownership	100% for most activities	100%	100%
Trade in the UAE	Yes, without limits	Inside the zone and abroad; mainland trade only through a local partner or permit	No
Office	Physical office needed	From a flexi-desk to a full office	Not needed
Residence visas	Yes	Yes, based on your package	No
Best for	Local trade, services, government work	Consulting, tech, trading, startups	Holding, IP, international trade

Free zones we work with

Choosing a free zone is a key part of UAE company formation, because there are dozens of them and each one has its own costs, activities and visa rules. So we compare them for your business before you decide.

IFZA

Flexible Dubai packages for many activities.

Meydan Free Zone

A Dubai address with a fully digital setup.

SPC Free Zone

Cost-effective licences in Sharjah Publishing City.

Ajman Free Zone

Affordable setup where we are a registered agent.

Legal structures we set up

Besides the jurisdiction, UAE company formation also means choosing a legal form. We set up a new company with one or more shareholders, a branch office or wholly owned subsidiary of a foreign company, and a representative office. For example, a European group often chooses a free zone subsidiary because it limits the liability of the parent company.

How UAE company formation works with us

We follow the same clear steps for every client. In some free zones, your licence can be ready within a day once your documents are complete. Visas and the bank account then take longer, so we give you a full timeline at the start.

Free consultationWe discuss your goals, activities, shareholders and tax position at home.
Structure and jurisdictionNext, we recommend mainland, free zone or offshore, and the best legal form.
Licence and registrationWe reserve the trade name, prepare the documents and file the licence application.
Visas and bankingThen we arrange residence visas and Emirates ID, and we support you in opening your corporate bank account.
Ongoing complianceFinally, we register your company for corporate tax and VAT and track every renewal date.

Documents you need to start

The exact list for UAE company formation depends on the authority, but most applications ask for the same basics. If a company is a shareholder, its documents usually need legal attestation, so we tell you early which papers to prepare.

Passport copies of all shareholders and managers.
A UAE visa or entry stamp, if you already live in or visit the UAE.
A no-objection letter from your sponsor, if you hold a UAE residence visa through an employer.
A short business plan with your planned activities.
For corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, articles of association and a board resolution.

After incorporation: visas, banking and tax

UAE company formation does not end with the licence: a new company is only ready when it can pay staff, receive money and file its taxes. Every UAE company must also register for corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority, even when it qualifies for the 0% free zone rate. That is why our team stays with you after the licence.

PRO services

Visas, Emirates ID, labour contracts and licence renewals.

Corporate banking

Documents, steps and banks for your business account.

VAT and corporate tax registration

When you must register and how we do it for you.

Why work with TGS Innovised in the UAE

Many providers can file a trade licence. However, few of them also look at how your new company fits with your tax position at home. We combine local UAE knowledge with international tax advice, so your structure still works years after incorporation.

Local team in Sharjah

Registered agent for mainland, free zone and offshore setups, with direct contact with the authorities.

Tax-aware structuring

Together with De Voorwaarts and TGS Global, we check the effect in Europe and other countries.

Clients from every region

Entrepreneurs from the UAE, the UK, the USA, Europe and Asia already work with us.

Need advice beyond the UAE? See also our international tax and transfer pricing services.

UAE company formation FAQ

Can I set up a UAE company without living in the UAE?

Yes. You can own and manage a UAE company from abroad, and many free zones let you complete the setup fully online. A residence visa is optional for mainland and free zone companies. However, banks often ask to meet you in person when you open the account.

Do I still need a local sponsor?

In most cases, no. Free zones never needed a local partner, and since 2021 most mainland activities also allow full foreign ownership, as the official UAE government portal explains. Only a small number of strategic activities still have limits, so we check your activity first.

Can a free zone company work with mainland customers?

Partly. A free zone company can trade freely inside its zone and abroad. For direct sales on the mainland, it usually needs a local distributor, a special permit or a mainland branch. If most of your customers are in the UAE, a mainland company is often the simpler choice.

Should I open a branch or a subsidiary?

A branch is part of your foreign company, so the parent stays fully liable for its debts. A subsidiary, on the other hand, is a separate legal entity with its own limited liability. Most groups therefore prefer a subsidiary, but a branch can make sense for a short project.

Start your UAE company formation

Tell us about your plans, and our UAE team will advise on the best structure, the costs and a realistic timeline. You can also return to the overview of all our UAE services. Contact us for a first conversation.

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