Setting up in Dubai? Start here.
Clear answers on setting up a company, getting residency, banking and living in the UAE — for entrepreneurs and investors moving to Dubai from anywhere in the world.
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Answer a few quick questions and get an indicative recommendation — freezone, mainland or offshore — matched to your activity, market and visa needs.
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Plain answers for entrepreneurs and investors moving to the UAE from anywhere.
Company Formation
Setting up in the UAE as a foreign owner — freezone, mainland and offshore explained.
Explore →UAE Freezones
Choosing the right freezone for your activity, budget and visa needs.
Explore →Visas & Residency
Investor, Golden, employment and freelance routes — plus sponsoring your family.
Explore →Business Banking
Opening a UAE corporate account as a foreign-owned company.
Explore →UAE Tax
Corporate tax, VAT, economic substance and the tax residency certificate.
Explore →Living in Dubai
Cost of living, areas, schools and healthcare for newcomers.
Explore →Doing Business
E-commerce, consulting, trading and holding structures in the UAE.
Explore →Compliance
AML/KYC, UBO, economic substance and your accounting obligations.
Explore →Latest guides
Reviewed and dated, so you know how current they are.
- UAE Tax
UAE corporate tax and VAT: the essentials for business owners
The UAE isn't quite 'tax-free' for businesses anymore. Here's the 9% corporate tax, 5% VAT, the freezone angle, and the filing obligations that come with them.
- Business Banking
Opening a UAE business bank account as a foreigner
Foreign-owned companies can absolutely open UAE business accounts — the hurdle is KYC. Here's what banks want, why applications get rejected, and how to get yours through.
- Visas & Residency
Getting a UAE investor or Golden Visa through your business
As a company owner you can sponsor your own UAE residence — and for longer security, the Golden Visa. Here are the routes, what they need, and what residency unlocks.
- UAE Freezones
How to choose a UAE freezone (DMCC, IFZA, Meydan, RAKEZ and others)
There are dozens of UAE freezones. Here's how to narrow them down by activity, cost, visas and location — and a rough map of which zones suit which businesses.
- Company Formation
How much does it cost to set up a company in Dubai?
What actually drives the cost of a Dubai company — structure, freezone, visas and office — and why the headline licence fee is rarely the full picture.
- Company Formation
Freezone, mainland or offshore: which UAE structure?
The three UAE company structures explained for foreign owners — what each is for, who it suits, and how to choose the right one before you commit.
- Company Formation
How to set up a company in Dubai as a foreigner
The end-to-end process for foreign owners: choosing a structure, your activity and licence, registering, and using the company to get residence visas. Most freezone setups take about a week.