The short answer
- You register with one authority: a free zone authority such as IFZA or Meydan for a free zone company, or the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) for a Dubai mainland company.
- For a free zone company owned by individuals, you usually send passport copies, a photo, the shareholder and beneficial owner details, and the signed application, all online.
- The usual order is activity and name, application, licence and registration documents, establishment card, then your residence visa, corporate tax registration and bank account.
- The registration itself can be done from abroad. The one trip is for the residence visa, because the medical test and the Emirates ID biometrics are done in person in the UAE.
Still deciding whether Dubai is right for you? Start with our guide to setting up a business in Dubai. This page covers the registration itself: the paperwork, the authorities and the duties that follow.
What does company registration in Dubai involve?
Registering a company in Dubai is more than reserving a name. When the authority approves your application, it enters the company in its register and issues a set of documents. You will need them for your visa, your bank account and every renewal, so it helps to know what each one is.
- Trade licence
- The permit to carry out the activities listed on it. It names the company, its legal form, its activities and its address, and is usually renewed each year.
- Certificate of registration
- Proof that the company exists as a legal entity in the authority's register. Banks and foreign authorities often ask for it.
- Memorandum of association (MOA)
- The company's constitution: who the shareholders are, the share capital, who manages the company and how decisions are made.
- Share register
- The record of who owns which shares, where the legal form needs one. It changes whenever shares are transferred.
- Establishment card
- The company's file with the immigration authorities. The company needs it before it can sponsor any residence visa, including yours.
- Beneficial owner register
- A record of the people who ultimately own or control the company. UAE companies keep one under Cabinet Resolution No. 109 of 2023 and file it with their registrar.
The licence, certificate of registration, MOA and share register come with every free zone package we sell. The establishment card comes with Standard and Premium, because those include a residence visa.
Which authority handles company registration in the UAE?
There is no single company register for the whole of Dubai. Each authority keeps its own register and issues its own licence, so the place you choose decides your rules, your address options and your running costs.
| Where the company is | Who registers it | What you receive | Address you need | Who it usually suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai free zone, for example IFZA or Meydan | The free zone authority | Licence, certificate of registration, MOA, share register | A flexi-desk or office in that free zone | Consultants, online businesses, traders and service companies run from abroad or by a small team |
| Dubai mainland | Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) | Mainland trade licence and MOA | Physical premises with a lease registered with Ejari | Businesses that will trade directly across the UAE market or need a shop or local premises |
| Another emirate | That emirate's economic department or free zone authority | Its own licence and registration documents | Set by that authority | Founders who want a particular zone, price point or industry cluster |
The UAE government portal describes the free zone route as an online application through the free zone authority's website, and the mainland route as a sequence that runs from choosing the activity and legal form, through trade name and initial approval, to signing the MOA, securing premises and collecting the licence.
Compare the main zones on our Dubai free zone licence page. If most of your customers will be inside the UAE, read about the UAE mainland licence before you decide.
Can a foreigner register a company in Dubai?
Yes. You do not need to live in the UAE or hold a UAE visa to register a company, and in a free zone you can hold all of the shares yourself. Meydan, for example, runs its whole application online.
On the mainland, Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 on Commercial Companies removed the old requirement for an Emirati majority shareholder in most cases, so foreign investors can fully own most onshore companies. The Cabinet keeps a list of activities with strategic impact, such as security and defence, banking and insurance, where limits or extra approvals still apply. The official u.ae page on this was last updated on 6 April 2026.
What changes with nationality is the paperwork, not the right to own. Some activities need approval from a sector regulator, and banks run their own checks on every shareholder. We look at your nationality and activity at the start, so you know which documents your case needs before you apply.
What documents do you need to register a company in Dubai?
For a free zone company owned by individuals, the list is short. Meydan describes its check as a passport copy and basic KYC completed online. Expect the documents below, and expect the authority or the bank to ask for more if your activity or ownership needs it.
| Document | Who provides it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport copy | Every shareholder and manager | A clear colour scan of the photo page. If you hold two passports, decide which one you will use for the residence visa. |
| Passport-style photo | Every shareholder and manager | A recent digital photo on a white background. |
| Application and shareholder forms | Each shareholder | Usually completed and signed electronically on the free zone portal. |
| Beneficial owner (UBO) details | Anyone who owns or controls 25% or more | Required by Cabinet Resolution No. 109 of 2023, which uses the 25% test. |
| Proof of home address | Each shareholder | A recent utility bill or bank statement. Banks usually ask for it even when the authority does not. |
| UAE visa and Emirates ID | Only shareholders who already live in the UAE | Not needed if you live abroad. |
| Parent company documents | Only when a company is the shareholder | Certificate of incorporation, articles and a board resolution. If the authority asks for attestation, these are notarised at home and legalised for use in the UAE, which can add weeks. |
| Short business description | The founder | Some activities and most banks ask what you sell, to whom and from where. One page is often enough. |
Notes for founders in the UK, the US, India and Pakistan
- United Kingdom: A UK passport and a recent bank statement or utility bill cover most cases. Registering a company in Dubai does not by itself end UK tax residence: the statutory residence test in HMRC guidance RDR3 decides that.
- United States: A US passport and proof of address are the usual starting point. US citizens living abroad are still taxed on their worldwide income and keep filing US returns, so plan the structure with a US tax adviser.
- India: An Indian passport and proof of address. If you are resident in India and will fund the company from India, check the Reserve Bank of India rules on overseas investment with your bank before you transfer money.
- Pakistan: A Pakistani passport and proof of address. Sending capital out of Pakistan for an overseas investment can fall under State Bank of Pakistan rules, so check with your bank before you transfer money.
How to register a company in Dubai, step by step
This is the usual order for a free zone company with one residence visa, which is our Standard package. The times are typical, not promised. They depend on the authority, your activity, how quickly documents arrive and appointment availability.
| Step | What happens | Where you are | Typical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Activity and free zone | We match what you do to the authority's activity list and agree the package with you. | Abroad | A day or two |
| 2. Company name | The authority checks that the name you want is available and allowed. | Abroad | Usually a day or two |
| 3. Application and KYC | You upload passport copies and photos, give the shareholder and beneficial owner details and sign the forms electronically. | Abroad | A few days, mostly waiting for documents |
| 4. Licence and registration | The authority approves the file, registers the company and issues the licence, certificate of registration and MOA. | Abroad | u.ae says a free zone licence is typically issued within 14 working days of approval; some zones are faster |
| 5. Establishment card | The company opens its immigration file so that it can sponsor visas. | Abroad | Typically a few working days |
| 6. Entry permit and residence visa | The company applies for your visa. You enter the UAE on the entry permit, or change status if you are already there. | In the UAE | Typically one to two weeks |
| 7. Medical test and Emirates ID | A medical fitness test (for applicants aged 18 and over) and biometrics for your Emirates ID. | In the UAE | Biometrics appointments are generally 5 to 7 days away, subject to availability |
| 8. Corporate tax registration | The company registers with the Federal Tax Authority and receives its tax registration number. | Anywhere | Due within three months of incorporation |
| 9. Business bank account | You apply to a UAE bank with the company documents. Local banks usually want to meet you in person. | Usually in the UAE | Varies by bank, often several weeks |
Plan one trip for steps 6 and 7, and try to book any bank meeting during the same visit. Before you travel, read your own government's travel advice for the UAE. The UK Foreign Office page, for example, was last updated on 24 July 2026.
Residence visa routes for owners, partners and staff are explained on our page about the UAE investor visa through your own company. For the trip itself, our guide to Dubai business visa requirements shows which visit visa fits your passport.
How much does company registration in Dubai cost?
Our free zone prices are fixed packages for IFZA and Meydan. They are two separate options, so read one column: the IFZA and Meydan figures are never added together.
| Package | What it includes | IFZA | Meydan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic (no visa) | Licence, MOA, certificate of registration, share register if applicable, flexi-office address and formation assistance | AED 12,900 | AED 12,500 |
| Standard (1 visa) | Basic plus establishment card, one residence visa, medical test, Emirates ID and corporate tax registration | AED 23,436 | AED 23,136 |
| Premium (1 visa plus banking) | Standard plus a digital company stamp, help opening a digital business bank account and one personal bank account | AED 28,436 | AED 28,136 |
- The Basic professional fee is AED 0 on a current promotion (regular price AED 1,000). Standard and Premium include a professional fee of AED 2,000, also promotional (regular price AED 3,500). If a promotion ends, these totals change.
- Premium with a standard local business bank account instead of a digital one: AED 33,436 at IFZA or AED 33,136 at Meydan. A local bank needs you there in person.
- Bank account opening is subject to the bank's KYC, compliance review and final approval.
- Our price sheet does not cover the Dubai mainland, other free zones such as DMCC, or the other emirates. Send us your activity on WhatsApp and we will reply with a written, itemised quote.
The Standard package in two lines
| Line item | IFZA | Meydan |
|---|---|---|
| Free zone and government fees (licence, visa allocation, establishment card, residence visa, medical and Emirates ID) | AED 21,436 | AED 21,136 |
| Professional fee (promotional) | AED 2,000 | AED 2,000 |
Optional extras, only if you need them: an inside-country status change (AED 1,600), a VIP medical (AED 750 instead of the normal medical) and help getting an earlier biometrics appointment (AED 600).
For the line-by-line breakdown, and to see how the numbers move with more visas or a different zone, use our Dubai company setup cost calculator.
Do you need an office address to register a company in Dubai?
Yes. The UAE government portal states that all businesses in the UAE must have a physical address to operate, so every registration needs an address the authority accepts.
In a free zone, that is usually a flexi-desk or a shared office inside the zone. A flexi-office address is included in our Basic, Standard and Premium packages, so you do not need to rent space to register.
On the Dubai mainland you need real premises, and the lease must be registered with Ejari, Dubai's tenancy registration system. This is the main extra step, and extra running cost, on the mainland route.
What must you do after registering your company?
Registration is the start, not the end. These duties apply to every Dubai company, wherever its owner lives, and missing them can lead to fines.
| Obligation | When | With whom |
|---|---|---|
| Renew the trade licence | Before it expires, usually every year | Your free zone authority or DET |
| Register for corporate tax | Within three months of incorporation | Federal Tax Authority |
| File the corporate tax return | Within nine months of the end of each tax period | Federal Tax Authority |
| Register for VAT | When taxable supplies and imports pass AED 375,000 in 12 months (voluntary from AED 187,500) | Federal Tax Authority |
| Keep accounting records | For at least seven years after the end of each tax period | Kept by the company, shown to the FTA on request |
| Update the beneficial owner register | Within 15 days of a change | Your registrar |
| Renew visas and the establishment card | Before each one expires | The free zone authority and immigration |
Corporate tax is 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it, according to the Ministry of Finance, and a company must register even when no tax is due. The UAE does not levy income tax on individuals. Corporate tax registration is included in our Standard and Premium packages.
VAT thresholds and corporate tax rates above are government figures from the Federal Tax Authority and the Ministry of Finance, not our prices.
Already have a company abroad? Branch or new company
If you already run a company in the UK, the US, India, Pakistan or elsewhere, you have two ways in, and the choice changes the paperwork more than the cost.
Branch of your foreign company
The branch is part of your existing company, not a separate legal entity, so the parent stands behind its debts. Expect to provide the parent's incorporation documents, articles and a board resolution, often attested.
New Dubai company
A separate legal entity with its own licence, owned by you or by your existing company. In a free zone it is usually the simpler route, and it can sponsor your residence visa. This is the route our packages cover.
Already registered in Dubai?
We also handle licence renewals, adding activities to a licence, and bookkeeping and accounting for companies that are already registered.
How do you check that a Dubai company is registered?
Each authority runs its own register, so you search the one that issued the licence: the free zone authority for a free zone company, or DET for a Dubai mainland company. Our guide to the Dubai company registry explains where to look and what the public record shows.
Frequently asked questions
How do I register a company in Dubai from abroad?
Choose your activity and a free zone, send passport copies and photos, complete the authority's online KYC and sign the forms electronically. The authority then issues the licence, certificate of registration and MOA. You only need to travel to the UAE for the residence visa stage, which includes the medical test and the Emirates ID biometrics.
Can a foreigner register a company in Dubai?
Yes. Foreign nationals can own all of the shares in a free zone company, and under Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 most mainland activities allow full foreign ownership too. A short list of activities with strategic impact, such as banking, insurance and defence, still has limits.
How much does it cost to register a company in Dubai?
With us, a free zone company without a visa costs AED 12,900 at IFZA or AED 12,500 at Meydan. With one residence visa (Standard) it is AED 23,436 at IFZA or AED 23,136 at Meydan. The mainland and other free zones are quoted in writing after we see your activity.
How long does company registration in Dubai take?
Once your documents are complete, the licence stage typically takes from a few days to two weeks. The UAE government portal says a free zone licence is typically issued within 14 working days of approval. The visa stage adds more time, mostly waiting for the entry permit and appointments, so plan for several weeks in total.
Do I need to be in Dubai to register my company?
Not for the registration itself. Free zones such as Meydan and IFZA take applications online. You do need to come to the UAE for a residence visa, because the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics are done in person, and usually for a meeting with a local bank.
What is a UBO register and when must I update it?
It is the record of the people who ultimately own or control the company, its ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs). Under Cabinet Resolution No. 109 of 2023, anyone who owns or controls 25% or more counts. The company keeps the register and files it with its registrar, which is the free zone authority or, on the mainland, DET. If an owner, a shareholding or a controlling person changes, update the register within 15 days of the change.
Is a PO Box mandatory for companies in Dubai?
It is not one of the registration documents: the licence is tied to a registered address, such as the flexi-office address in our packages. In practice most companies get one anyway. Meydan Free Zone notes that Dubai has no door-to-door mail delivery, so official post goes to a PO Box, and that many banks and official forms ask for a PO Box address. You can add one through the free zone, where it offers this, or apply to Emirates Post.
Can I register my business in Dubai to avoid tax?
Not by registration alone. UAE corporate tax is 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above that, and every company must register with the Federal Tax Authority. Your personal tax depends on where you are tax resident, which your home country's rules decide, not your company's address. Speak to a tax adviser in your home country before you move income or profits.
Can my existing company abroad own the Dubai company?
Yes. A company can be a shareholder. Expect to provide its certificate of incorporation, articles and a board resolution, and the authority may ask for them to be attested for use in the UAE.
Do I have to renew my Dubai company registration?
Yes. The trade licence is usually renewed every year, and residence visas and the establishment card have their own expiry dates. Missing a renewal can lead to fines and problems with the visas the company sponsors.
Ready to register your Dubai company?
Send us your activity, your nationality and how many visas you need. We usually reply within a couple of hours with the route, the documents for your case and a written price.
Official sources, checked on 8 October 2026
Government rules change. We check these pages when we update this guide, and your authority's instructions on the day always come first.
- u.ae: Starting a business in a free zone
- u.ae: Steps to start a business on the mainland
- u.ae: Full foreign ownership of commercial companies (updated 6 April 2026)
- u.ae: General provisions for the residence visa
- u.ae: Corporate tax
- Ministry of Finance: Corporate tax in the UAE
- Ministry of Finance: Corporate tax rates and the AED 375,000 threshold
- Federal Tax Authority: Corporate tax registration timeframes
- Federal Tax Authority: Record retention and return deadlines
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT registration
- Ministry of Economy: Establishing companies
- Ministry of Economy: Cabinet Resolution No. 109 of 2023 on beneficial owners
- Meydan Free Zone: Online company setup
- Meydan Free Zone: Investor and partner visa guide
- GOV.UK: Foreign travel advice for the UAE (updated 24 July 2026)
- GOV.UK: RDR3 statutory residence test
- IRS: Foreign earned income exclusion