Business Setup UAE | Company Formation Services by PRO Hub Business Services
Business Setup UAE, Handled for You
Starting a company in the UAE means choosing the right jurisdiction, structure, and licence for how you actually plan to operate, then getting it licensed the first time correctly. PRO Hub Business Services manages the full process on your behalf: activity classification, trade name reservation, licence application, tax registration, visa processing, and bank account introductions, so you can focus on running your business rather than navigating government portals.
We work across Mainland, Free Zone, and Offshore structures, in every emirate, and we quote a single transparent, all-inclusive price before you commit, with no add-on surprises later.
Explore Setup Locations
Direct access to our detailed, localized guides for setting up in each emirate and specialized offshore registry.
Business Setup in Dubai
Complete walkthrough covering Mainland, 40+ Free Zones, and Offshore routes. Find setup costs, step-by-step licensing, and Ejari regulations.
Business Setup in Abu Dhabi
Complete walkthrough covering Mainland, Free Zones (ADGM, Masdar), and Offshore routes. Find setup costs, step-by-step licensing, and Tawtheeq regulations.
Mainland Setup
Establish an onshore business to operate anywhere in the UAE, open retail fronts, and bid on government contracts.
Free Zone Hubs
Utilize designated tax-free zones for export, technology, media, and professional consultancies with 100% profit repatriation.
Offshore Registries
Establish non-resident holding structures for global asset protection, international trading, and holding foreign real estate.
Our Business Setup Services
Mainland Company Formation
Licensed through the Department of Economic Development (ADDED in Abu Dhabi), a Mainland company can trade anywhere in the UAE, open unlimited branches, and bid for government contracts. Most activities now allow 100% foreign ownership with no local Emirati partner required. We handle activity approval, MOA drafting, office registration (Ejari), and licence issuance end to end.
Free Zone Company Setup
We register companies across 45+ UAE Free Zones, including Abu Dhabi's ADGM, Masdar City, twofour54, and KIZAD. Free Zones guarantee 100% foreign ownership, full profit repatriation, and, for companies meeting Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) conditions, a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income. We match your activity to the Free Zone with the best fit and lowest total cost.
Offshore Company Formation
For international trading, holding structures, or UAE property ownership without a physical operating presence, we set up offshore entities (e.g., RAK ICC, JAFZA Offshore) with fast turnaround and no minimum capital requirement.
PRO Services & Corporate Compliance and Administrative Support
Ongoing document clearing, licence renewals, Establishment Card processing, and government approvals handled by our in-house PRO team so you're never stuck in a queue at a government office.
Visa Advisory & Processing
Investor, employment, family, and Golden Visa applications, with employee onboarding and residency application support.
Corporate Tax & VAT Registration
FTA registration, Qualifying Free Zone Person assessment, and VAT registration/filing support through EmaraTax.
Corporate Bank Account Assistance
Introductions and documentation support with leading UAE banks to speed up KYC approval.
Mainland vs Free Zone vs Offshore: Which Is Right for You?
| Feature | Mainland | Free Zone | Offshore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Ownership | Up to 100% (most activities) | 100% | 100% |
| Trading Location | Anywhere in UAE + international | Free zone + international (mainland trade needs a distributor) | International only |
| Office Requirement | Physical office mandatory | Flexi-desk to physical office | Not required |
| Visa Eligibility | Yes | Yes | Very limited or none |
| Government Contracts | Eligible | Not eligible | Not eligible |
| Corporate Tax | 9% above AED 375,000 | 0% on qualifying income (QFZP) or 9% | Generally 0% if no UAE-sourced income |
| Setup Timeline (with PRO Hub Business Services) | 5-10 working days | 3-7 working days | 3-5 working days |
| Best For | Retail, contracting, restaurants, government-facing services | Tech, consulting, trading, media, e-commerce, holding companies | International holding, asset protection |
Not sure which fits?
Book a free consultation: we assess your activity, target market, and visa needs before recommending a structure, not the other way around.
Legal Structures We Set Up
| Structure | Description | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| Limited Liability Company (LLC) | Standard Mainland structure; liability limited to share capital | SMEs, trading companies, retail |
| Sole Establishment | Single-owner entity | Freelancers, consultants |
| Civil Company | Professional partnership structure | Doctors, lawyers, engineers, accountants |
| Branch of a Foreign Company | Extension of a parent company | Multinationals entering the UAE |
| Representative Office | Marketing/liaison only, no local revenue | Market entry research |
| Holding Company | Owns shares/assets in other companies | Group structuring, asset protection |
| Free Zone Company (FZCO) | Free Zone entity, 2+ shareholders | Multi-partner ventures |
| Free Zone Establishment (FZE) | Free Zone entity, single shareholder | Solo founders, startups |
Trade Licences We Process
Buying and selling goods
Examples: General trading, import/export, retail
Skill-based services
Examples: Consulting, marketing, IT services
Manufacturing
Examples: Factories, assembly, processing
Travel and hospitality
Examples: Travel agencies, tour operators
Online trading
Examples: Online stores, dropshipping
Individual professional work
Examples: Designers, writers, developers
Farming and agri-processing
Examples: Agri-businesses, food production
Skilled trades
Examples: Carpentry, tailoring, technical trades
Our Process: From Enquiry to Trade Licence
Free Consultation
We assess your business activity, ownership structure, and visa requirements.
Recommendation
Jurisdiction & structure recommendation: Mainland, Free Zone, or Offshore, matched to how you'll actually operate.
Trade Name Reservation
Checked against UAE naming conventions.
Initial Approval
No-objection confirmation from the relevant authority.
MOA Drafting & Notarisation
Prepared and reviewed by our team.
Office Arrangement
Office/flexi-desk arrangement sourced through our partner network.
External Approvals
For regulated activities such as healthcare, education, or food (if required).
Licence Issuance
Licence issuance and payment: your trade licence is issued and delivered.
Corporate Tax Registration
Completed on EmaraTax on your behalf.
VAT Registration
Completed if your turnover requires it.
Bank Account Introduction
Documentation prepared for faster KYC approval.
Residency Application Support
Investor and employee visas, medical testing, and Emirates ID.
Documents We'll Ask For
- Passport copies of all shareholders and managers
- Passport-size photographs (white background)
- 3+ proposed trade name options
- No-objection certificate (if currently employed on a UAE visa)
- Proof of residential address
- Tenancy contract / Ejari or Free Zone lease agreement
- Board resolution and Power of Attorney (for corporate shareholders)
- Attested degree certificates (for certain professional licences)
Corporate Tax & VAT: What Applies to Your Company
Corporate Tax Framework
0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000; 9% above that. Free Zone companies meeting Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) conditions (adequate substance, qualifying income, de minimis, no mainland election, arm's-length pricing) keep 0% on qualifying income. Small Business Relief lets eligible businesses under AED 3 million revenue elect zero taxable income, available for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2026. All UAE companies must register for corporate tax with the FTA regardless of profit level.
VAT Regulations
5% standard rate. Mandatory registration once taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000/year; voluntary registration from AED 187,500. Returns are typically filed quarterly via EmaraTax.
Visas We Process
| Visa Type | Who It's For | Typical Validity |
|---|---|---|
| Investor/Partner Visa | Company shareholders | 2-3 years |
| Employment Visa | Staff and employees | 2-3 years |
| Golden Visa | Investors (AED 2M+ in property, fund, or company capital), entrepreneurs (AED 1M+ business revenue), specialised talent | 5-10 years, renewable |
| Family/Dependent Visa | Spouse and children | Matches sponsor's visa |
Business Setup by Industry
We license across all major sectors, with activity-specific approvals handled in-house:
Technology & Software
Typically Free Zone, benefiting from QFZP tax treatment and IP protection
Healthcare
Requires Department of Health approval alongside the trade licence
Trading & Import/Export
Mainland licensing plus customs code registration
Manufacturing
Industrial licence, often in KIZAD or similar zones
Retail
Mainland commercial licence for physical storefronts
Construction
Contractor grading with the relevant municipality
Real Estate
RERA (Dubai) or ADREC (Abu Dhabi) registration alongside licensing
Consultancy
Professional licence, low office/visa overhead, fastest setup path
Education
Ministry of Education or emirate knowledge-authority approval
Logistics
Port-adjacent Free Zones for customs advantages
Hospitality
Department of Tourism approval plus food safety/municipality permits
Why Businesses Choose PRO Hub Business Services
Business Setup Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about setting up your business in the UAE.
Get Started With PRO Hub Business Services
Setting up correctly the first time saves you weeks of delays and thousands of dirhams in avoidable costs. We've guided 3,000+ companies through Mainland, Free Zone, and Offshore formation since 2014, with zero hidden costs and 100% transparent pricing.
Ready to Start Your
Business Journey?
Join over 3,000+ successful companies who chose PRO Hub for their UAE empire. Zero hidden costs, 100% transparency.