UAE (free zone) vs UAE (Dubai mainland)
Company formation costs side by side
EntityFree zone LLC / FZCOMainland LLC
Legal minimum, year 1£3,100£9,650
Legal minimum, per year after£1,500£4,900
Typical year 1£9,000£21,350
Government fee£2,500 (AED 6,000 to 25,000 licence (renewed yearly))£4,200 (About AED 20,000 DET licence and fees)
Indirect setup£300 to 2,350£3,050 to 11,150
Running per year£1,500 to 8,850£4,900 to 15,200
Share capitalUsually noneUsually none
Time to form1 to 3 weeks2 to 4 weeks
AuditOften required by the free zone; needed for 0% QFZP statusRequired in practice for corporate tax and banks
DirectorsNo local director or sponsor in free zonesNo local director or sponsor for most activities
Remote formationLicence remote; visa and bank account usually need a visitVisit needed for visa, Emirates ID and bank
Corporation tax0% on qualifying free zone income; 9% above AED 375k otherwise0% up to AED 375k profit, 9% above
Dividend withholding0%0%
VAT/GST5%5%
Foreign owner ease4 of 53 of 5
Banking2 of 5. UAE banks usually want a residence visa and visit2 of 5. UAE banks usually want a residence visa and visit
Data statusCheckedIndicative