Should I choose a mainland, free zone or offshore company?

Start with your activities, customers, premises and staffing plans. We compare the three routes against those requirements rather than recommending a package on price alone, and confirm the permissions for your chosen jurisdiction.

Can a French national fully own a UAE company?

Free zone and offshore companies allow full foreign ownership, as do most mainland activities. Some regulated sectors carry conditions, so we verify the rules for your activity and licensing authority.

What is an offshore company used for?

Offshore companies are typically used to hold shares or assets and to run business outside the UAE. They cannot trade within the UAE and generally do not support residence visas, so they suit specific structures rather than local operations.

Can my French company be involved in the setup?

Tell us whether you want your French company to own a UAE entity or establish a branch. We help assess the routes and coordinate the corporate documentation, which must be confirmed for your jurisdiction and activity.

How much does UAE company formation cost?

Costs depend on the route, emirate, licence, structure, office and requested support. We provide an itemised proposal for the agreed government and professional fees, with a clear note of inclusions and exclusions.

How long will registration take?

We give an indicative schedule after reviewing your activity, documents and route. Additional approvals or information requests can affect progress, and authority processing times are outside our control.

Will company formation give me UAE residency?

Company formation and residency are separate applications. Mainland and free zone companies can support visa applications, but eligibility and approval remain decisions for the responsible authorities.

Does this service include French legal or tax advice?

No. This service does not include advice on French legal obligations, tax residency or cross-border taxation. Obtain independent advice from qualified professionals in France and the UAE.

FranceUAE

UAE company formation for French entrepreneurs

Plan your business setup in the UAE from France with PRO Hub Business Services. We compare mainland, free zone and offshore options for your activity, prepare your licensing documents, and coordinate every step with the authorities.

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From Abu Dhabi or Dubai company formation to your first steps after licensing, we organise the agreed work around your activity, shareholders and plans.
Request a personalised proposal with transparent pricing, no hidden costs, and a clearly defined service scope.

France

United Arab Emirates

Mainland · Free zone · Offshore

Transparent pricingItemised proposal, no hidden costs

MainlandSell directly to UAE customers.
Free zonePackages for international trade and services.
OffshoreHolding and cross-border structures.
Transparent pricingItemised fees and a clearly defined scope.

Your UAE presence

Connect your French business with your UAE plans

Your UAE setup should reflect how you intend to operate. Before choosing a package, establish what your business will do, where your customers will be, and how the UAE company will relate to your activities in France.

We help you work through those decisions and turn them into a plan covering the setup route, licensing, documentation and office arrangements.

We use this information to recommend a setup route and identify the questions to resolve before you proceed.

Start by telling us:

01The products or services you intend to offer in the UAE.
02Whether you are launching a new venture or expanding a French company.
03Your proposed shareholders and management arrangements.
04Whether your customers will be in the UAE or abroad.
05Your preferred emirate and anticipated office needs.

Setup options

Three ways to set up your company in the UAE

Mainland, free zone and offshore companies are licensed by different authorities and allow different activities. Your customers, premises and growth plans decide which suits you. Here is how they compare.

Trade across the UAE01

Mainland company

Licensed by the economic development authority of the emirate, such as ADDED in Abu Dhabi or DET in Dubai, a mainland company can serve customers anywhere in the UAE.

Direct access to the UAE market
Full foreign ownership in most activities
Can bid for government tenders, subject to their terms
A registered business address is generally required

Often suitsFrench businesses that want to sell locally, hire in the UAE or work with government clients.

Explore mainland setup

Built for international business02

Free zone company

Licensed by a free zone authority in a dedicated business district, with packages designed for international trade, services and startups.

Full foreign ownership
Flexible office packages, from flexi-desk upward
Permitted activities and benefits vary by zone
Trading with mainland customers usually needs an additional route

Often suitsConsultants, e-commerce businesses, startups and international traders.

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International finance and holding structures.

Holding and international03

Offshore company

Registered with an offshore registry, such as RAK ICC, for activity outside the UAE. Often used to hold shares or assets and to manage international business.

No UAE office; a registered agent is appointed
Cannot trade within the UAE
Residence visas are generally not available
Suited to holding and international structures

Often suitsHolding companies, asset holding and international trading structures.

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Compare	Mainland	Free zone	Offshore
Licensed by	The emirate's economic development authority	The relevant free zone authority	An offshore registry
Trading in the UAE	Directly with customers across the UAE	Within the zone and internationally; mainland trade usually needs an extra route	Not permitted
Foreign ownership	Full ownership in most activities	Full ownership	Full ownership
Office	Registered business address generally required	Flexi-desk to full office, depending on the package	No UAE office; registered agent
Residence visas	Linked to premises and approvals	Linked to the package and premises	Generally not available
Often chosen for	Local trading, services, contracting and government work	International trade, consulting, e-commerce and startups	Holding companies and international trade

This overview is general. Rules vary by emirate, free zone and registry, and we verify the requirements for your activity before any application.

What we do

UAE business setup services for your market entry

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Company formation and structure guidance

We assess your proposed structure and jurisdiction against your business model. That can mean a new company, a subsidiary of your French business, or a branch, with the right route depending on the authority's requirements.

Our role covers setup coordination, document preparation, licence applications and follow-up. Legal or cross-border tax questions should go to qualified advisers before you decide.

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Abu Dhabi company formation

If Abu Dhabi is your intended base, we organise the practical requirements for a mainland or free zone setup, coordinate your application documents, and explain the steps to confirm.

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Dubai company formation

Dubai offers both mainland licensing and a wide choice of free zones. We help you compare them for your activity and coordinate the agreed incorporation and licensing work.

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Trade licensing and application coordination

Your activities are the starting point for the licensing discussion. We identify the licence options to review, prepare the agreed application materials, and coordinate any requests for more information.

Before submission, we explain what remains to be confirmed and whether activity-specific approvals apply.

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Premises and registered address

From a free zone flexi-desk to a mainland office, we help you find an arrangement that suits your route and prepare the paperwork your application requires.

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Your first steps after licensing

A licence is the start of operating, not the end of setup. Within the agreed scope, we can support the steps that follow.

After licence issuance, we can assist with:

Guidance on opening a corporate bank account.
Visa documentation for investors and staff.
Establishment card and labour registrations.
PRO support for renewals and government transactions.

Banks and authorities make their own decisions on accounts, visas and residency. Forming a company does not by itself guarantee a visa or Golden Visa.

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Documents

Organise your documents before submission

A tailored checklist helps you prepare from France and identify which papers need extra processing. We review your route, shareholders and structure first, then confirm the translation, legalisation or attestation steps the receiving authority expects.

This is a preparation guide, not a universal list of required documents. We confirm the applicable requirements before you arrange document processing or submission.

Depending on your route, items to discuss may include:

01Identity documents for shareholders and managers.
02Proposed company names and a description of your activities.
03Shareholder and management information.
04Corporate records if an existing French company will participate.
05Authorisation documents for anyone acting on a company's behalf.
06Premises or registered address documentation, where applicable.
07Translation, certification or attestation specified by the receiving authority.

How it works

Your company formation journey from France

01
Discuss your intended UAE operation
We review your activities, shareholders, preferred location and link to your French business.
02
Review the route and costs
We compare mainland, free zone and offshore options and give you an itemised proposal with no hidden costs.
03
Prepare documentation
We provide your checklist, prepare the application materials, and coordinate translation or attestation.
04
Manage submissions
We coordinate the agreed applications and follow up on requests. Authorities decide approvals and timings.
05
Plan ongoing support
After incorporation, we help organise banking guidance, visa administration and PRO tasks.

PRO Hub Business Services office reception.

Dedicated consultant

Dedicated support

A defined scope and a dedicated point of contact

PRO Hub brings company formation, document coordination and post-licence administration into one working relationship. A dedicated consultant knows your file and explains each next step.

Government fees and our professional fees are shown separately in your proposal, together with what is included, and we discuss any extra work before it begins.

PRO Hub is an independent private consultancy, not a UAE government entity. We support preparation and administration; the relevant authorities retain responsibility for official decisions and documents.

FAQ Directory

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about setting up your business in the UAE.

Yes, planning and document preparation can begin from France. Whether later steps can be done remotely depends on your route, and we confirm any attendance requirements before you plan travel.

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Get started

Enquire about your UAE expansion from France

Tell us what you plan to do in the UAE, whether you already operate a company in France, and when you hope to begin. We will help you identify the setup route and the documents to prepare.

You receive a clear explanation of the proposed work and an itemised quote with transparent pricing and no hidden costs.