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UAE Trade Licence

Company Registration in the UAE

Mainland, free zone and offshore company registration across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah — licence, visas, banking and compliance.

UAE company registration is fast when the activity, jurisdiction and visa requirements are decided correctly at the start. Digital Connect matches your business to the right emirate and licensing authority, handles the application, and supports the corporate tax and economic-substance obligations that now follow every licence.

Free consultation Talk to a consultant
Free zones to choose from
40+
Free zones to choose from
and free zone licensing
Mainland
and free zone licensing
Quota planning included
Visa
Quota planning included
Business-day response
1
Business-day response

Mainland, free zone or offshore

This single decision shapes cost, visa quota, office obligations and who you can legally sell to. Getting it wrong is the most expensive mistake in UAE setup because changing jurisdiction later usually means starting again.

Mainland (DED) licence

Lets you trade freely across the UAE market and with government entities. Suits retail, contracting, restaurants, clinics and any business needing local customers or physical premises.

Free zone licence

Often faster and lighter on cost, with straightforward foreign ownership and visa packages. Best for consultancies, e-commerce, media, technology and regional trading operations.

Offshore company

A non-resident vehicle for holding assets or shares. It does not provide UAE residency visas or the ability to trade inside the UAE market.

The registration process

Free zone registrations can move very quickly with complete documents; mainland registrations involve additional approvals depending on activity and premises.

  • Activity selection against the licensing authority's approved list
  • Jurisdiction and free zone comparison on cost, visas and office rules
  • Trade name reservation and initial approval
  • Shareholder and manager documentation
  • Lease, flexi-desk or Ejari as required by the authority
  • Licence issuance and establishment card
  • Investor and employee visa processing, Emirates ID and medical
  • Corporate bank account opening

Documents required

Individual shareholders need less paperwork than corporate shareholders, whose parent documents must be attested and, where relevant, translated.

  • Passport copies and photographs of shareholders and managers
  • Visa or entry stamp copies where applicable
  • Parent-company documents attested for corporate shareholders
  • Board resolution and power of attorney
  • Proof of address and a business plan for certain activities

Cost and what drives it

The headline licence fee is only part of the picture. Visa quota, office type, activity approvals, name reservation and establishment card all move the total, and several fees repeat annually.

Authority fees change periodically, so we issue an itemised written quotation with current figures for your chosen jurisdiction before you commit, separating one-off from recurring costs.

Compliance after the licence

The UAE has matured quickly. Corporate tax, VAT, economic substance, anti-money-laundering registration and ultimate-beneficial-owner filings now apply to companies that once had almost no reporting duties.

  • Corporate tax registration and annual return
  • VAT registration and periodic returns where thresholds are met
  • Economic substance notification where relevant activities apply
  • UBO register maintenance
  • Annual licence renewal and lease renewal

How we work

  1. 1Discovery and structure reviewActivity, visa needs and customer base reviewed to choose emirate and jurisdiction.
  2. 2Name clearance and document packName reservation, initial approval and document collection.
  3. 3Filing and incorporationLicence application filed with the chosen authority and issued.
  4. 4Tax, banking and payments setupEstablishment card, visas, Emirates ID and corporate banking.
  5. 5Go-to-market handoverWebsite, branding and lead generation so the licence starts producing revenue.

Frequently asked questions

Can a foreigner own 100% of a UAE company?

In free zones, yes. On the mainland, full foreign ownership is available for a wide range of activities, though some remain restricted — we check your specific activity before advising.

Which is cheaper, mainland or free zone?

Free zone packages usually have a lower entry cost, but if your customers require mainland trading or you need physical premises, a cheaper free zone licence can cost more overall through workarounds.

Do I get a residency visa with the licence?

Most mainland and free zone licences carry a visa quota linked to the office type. Offshore companies do not provide residency visas.

Is corporate tax now payable in the UAE?

A federal corporate tax regime applies, with rules and reliefs that depend on income level and whether qualifying free zone conditions are met. We register you and coordinate the filings.

Official references

Requirements and fees are set by the authorities below and are revised periodically. We confirm current details for your case in writing before you commit.

Talk to us

Ready to move forward? Tell us about your project.

Share a few details about your business and what you need. A senior member of our team will get back to you with next steps — usually within one working day.

  • • Free initial consultation
  • • Custom-scoped proposal, no fixed packages
  • • Response within 1 business day