Velare — Business Setup & Corporate Services

Business Setup · UAE & Free Zones

UAE business setup, built for the long term.

Mainland and Free Zone incorporation, compliance, banking, and visas, end-to-end.

Who this is for

For founders who want structure, not a license-and-run transaction.

Investors and operators treating UAE incorporation as strategic, not paperwork.

  • 01

    Non-resident investors

    Entrepreneurs seeking UAE tax residency, a credible holding structure, and bank-grade scrutiny.

  • 02

    Europeans expanding into the GCC

    Founders basing trade, technology, consulting, or financial services in Dubai with European compliance expectations.

  • 03

    Asian SME owners

    Manufacturing, trading, and digital-services operators moving HQ or holding layer to a stable-currency jurisdiction.

  • 04

    Holding & IP structures

    Groups consolidating ownership, IP, or holdings under a UAE entity for treaty access and substance.

Mainland vs Free Zone

Two structures, two different operating models.

Not a cost decision, operational scope, client geography, and regulatory positioning.

Free Zone

International operations, digital services, holding structures.

Ownership
100% foreign ownership
Market access
International and free zone clients; mainland access via distributors or additional licensing
Office requirement
Flexi-desk or physical office within the free zone
Tax treatment
0% corporate tax on qualifying income, subject to substance and regulatory requirements
Visa allocation
Quota linked to licence type and office size
Typical use case
Consulting, e-commerce, global trading, technology, and holding structures

Mainland

UAE-based clients, regulated activities, government contracts.

Ownership
100% foreign ownership for most activities
Market access
Full commercial flexibility across the UAE without geographic restriction
Office requirement
Ejari-registered commercial lease (flexi-desk available for select activities)
Tax treatment
9% corporate tax on profits above AED 375,000; 0% below
Visa allocation
Quota linked to activity, office size, and approvals
Typical use case
Retail, F&B, construction, contracting, and locally-delivered professional services

Indicative formation ranges: Free Zone from AED 18,000 (activity dependent); Mainland from AED 12,500 (flexi-desk, without visas).

Jurisdictions we cover

Nine Free Zones, one advisory framework.

We select based on your operations, not commission structures.

  • Meydan Free Zone

    Cost-efficient setup for consulting and professional services.

    Best for
    Consultancy, marketing, digital services
    From AED 12,500
  • IFZA (International Free Zone Authority)

    Flexible activity bundles for SMEs and digital businesses.

    Best for
    E-commerce, holding, general trading, consulting
    From AED 11,900
  • DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre)

    Flagship free zone for trading, commodities, and crypto businesses.

    Best for
    International trading, commodities, crypto, professional services
    From AED 20,285
  • DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre)

    Common-law financial jurisdiction for regulated and holding entities.

    Best for
    Financial services, family offices, holding structures
    From AED 45,000
  • ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market)

    English common-law framework for fintech, family offices, and SPVs.

    Best for
    Fintech, family offices, holding companies, asset management
    From AED 45,000
  • DAFZA (Dubai Airport Free Zone)

    Logistics-focused jurisdiction adjacent to Dubai International Airport.

    Best for
    Aviation, logistics, pharmaceuticals, high-value goods
    From AED 22,500
  • RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone)

    Industrial and manufacturing-oriented with competitive total cost.

    Best for
    Manufacturing, industrial, trading, service activities
    From AED 11,400
  • Dubai South Free Zone

    Logistics and aviation hub connected to Al Maktoum International.

    Best for
    Logistics, aviation services, e-commerce fulfilment
    From AED 15,000
  • Ajman Free Zone (AFZ)

    Cost-efficient setup outside Dubai for SMEs and industrial operations.

    Best for
    Manufacturing, trading, e-commerce, budget setups
    From AED 8,500

Pricing is indicative, activity-dependent, and excludes visa allocation and office requirements.

What's included

One engagement, a single accountable team, from licence to ledger.

Every mandate quoted transparently, government fees broken out, no package traps.

  • 01

    Business structuring & activity assessment

    Free Zone vs Mainland, authority selection, regulatory alignment.

  • 02

    Trade licensing & incorporation

    Trade name reservation, initial approvals, MOA drafting, licence issuance.

  • 03

    PRO & visa coordination

    Establishment card, investor and employee visas, medicals, Emirates ID, renewals.

  • 04

    Banking coordination

    UAE bank introduction, KYC preparation, substance documentation. Typical approval: 2–8 weeks.

  • 05

    Corporate tax & VAT registration

    CT registration; 5% VAT, mandatory above AED 375,000 turnover.

  • 06

    UBO, AML & ESR compliance

    UBO declarations, AML framework for regulated sectors, ESR filings where applicable.

  • 07

    Office & substance solutions

    Flexi-desk, virtual, or physical office, structured for banking and regulatory substance.

  • 08

    Ongoing corporate administration

    Annual renewals, bookkeeping, transfer pricing support, corporate secretary services.

Pricing structured and itemised, request a quote tailored to your activity and jurisdiction.

Residency & long-term visa

Golden Visa, structured through your business setup.

Golden Visa eligibility assessed during structure design, not as an afterthought.

  1. 01Investor route

    Through business investment

    Company ownership with substance and a documented track record. Typical threshold: AED 2 million committed.

  2. 02Entrepreneur route

    Through approved projects

    Founders of approved innovative projects, business plan review and institutional endorsement required.

  3. 03Specialised talent

    Through professional credentials

    Executives, specialists, and senior professionals in priority sectors, employer sponsorship or recognised credentials.

Viability confirmed during the eligibility call; the pathway is included in the setup quotation where applicable.

Our process

Five steps, from eligibility to operational company.

Defined deliverables and timelines, you always know what's in flight and what the authority needs.

  1. 01

    Consultation & Eligibility

    15-minute call on activity, geography, ownership, and residency. Written eligibility summary follows.

  2. 02

    Structure Design

    Mainland or Free Zone, authority, activities, and office model. Itemised quotation included.

  3. 03

    Licensing & Incorporation

    Trade name, documentation, KYC, licence issuance. Free Zone 5–10 working days; Mainland 7–14 working days.

  4. 04

    Visa & Banking

    Establishment card, visas, Emirates ID, bank introduction. KYC prepared to each bank's standard.

  5. 05

    Ongoing Compliance

    Annual renewals, corporate tax, VAT, UBO/AML/ESR, and bookkeeping, retained long-term.

Frequently asked

Answers to the questions we hear most.

Short, honest answers. For anything specific to your situation, a 15-minute eligibility call is usually the fastest path.

Free Zone or Mainland, which is right for me?

Free Zone suits international consulting, e-commerce, trading, and holding structures; Mainland suits UAE-based clients, regulated activities, and government contracts. We confirm the right fit on the eligibility call, not from a template.

How long does the setup process take?

Free Zone incorporation typically takes 5–10 working days; Mainland takes 7–14 working days. Corporate banking is handled in parallel and usually completes within 2–8 weeks depending on your profile and the institution.

Do I need to be in the UAE during the setup?

Most initial steps, including trade name reservation, KYC, and licence issuance, can be handled remotely. A short visit is usually required for Emirates ID biometrics, medicals, and most corporate bank account openings.

What does a realistic total investment look like?

Free Zone setups typically run AED 18,000–25,000 (activity dependent), or AED 25,000–40,000+ with visas and a physical office. Mainland runs AED 12,500–18,000 on flexi-desk, or AED 18,000–28,000+ with an investor visa. You get a fully itemised quote before any engagement.

How does corporate tax work for a new UAE entity?

0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000, 9% above. Free Zone entities may qualify for 0% on qualifying income, subject to substance rules. CT registration is mandatory for all entities.

When is VAT registration required?

VAT registration becomes mandatory once taxable revenue exceeds AED 375,000 annually. Voluntary registration is available at lower thresholds. The standard VAT rate is 5% on most goods and services.

What visas are available once the company is formed?

Investor or partner visas, employment visas for staff, dependent visas for family, and, where eligibility criteria are met, the long-term Golden Visa. Visa quota depends on licence type and office size; we assess this during structure design.

What ongoing compliance does a UAE entity carry?

Licence renewal, corporate tax registration and filing, VAT returns where registered, UBO, AML for regulated sectors, ESR where applicable, and transfer pricing. We handle these on a long-term retainer.

Start with eligibility

Planning your UAE company?

A 15-minute call maps activity, jurisdiction, and timeline. Written summary and quote follow.

Prefer email? info@velare.ae

Booking coming soon

Our online calendar is being finalised. In the meantime, reach us directly, we typically reply within one business day.