How to set up a UAE company from India
Just researching? Get the free setup planner → · Specific situation? Talk to us →
How to set up a UAE company from India
Indian nationals are among the largest single group setting up companies in the UAE, and the infrastructure around it shows: most major freezones have streamlined their processes for applicants arriving from India, and some have dedicated liaison offices in Mumbai or Delhi.
The broad path is the same as for any international founder. Pick a structure, get a trade licence, apply for a visa if you want residency, then open a business bank account. The details, and the decisions that actually matter, are in what follows.
Freezone or mainland: which makes sense?
For most Indian founders, a freezone company is the starting point. You get 100% ownership, a straightforward incorporation process, and no requirement to find a local partner. Profits and capital can be repatriated freely, which matters if you have obligations in India.
Mainland companies (licensed through the Department of Economic Development in whichever emirate you choose) give you unrestricted ability to trade within the UAE domestic market and to bid on government contracts. Since 2021, 100% foreign ownership is available on most mainland activities. If your business genuinely needs a Dubai street address and local UAE clients, mainland is worth considering from the start rather than retrofitting it later.
The trade-off is not just cost, mainland licensing tends to involve more regulatory touchpoints, audited accounts, and sometimes a local service agent for specific licence categories.
Which freezone should you choose?
The honest answer is that it depends on your activity and priorities. A few reference points:
| Freezone | Known for | Typical fit |
|---|---|---|
| DMCC (Dubai) | Trading, commodities, crypto | High-volume traders, financial services |
| IFZA (Dubai) | Flexible activities, competitive cost | Consultants, service businesses |
| Meydan (Dubai) | Low-cost entry | Early-stage startups, single-person operations |
| RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah) | Affordable multi-activity licences | Manufacturing, trading, SMEs |
| SHAMS (Sharjah) | Media, creative | Content businesses, publishers |
| ADGM (Abu Dhabi) | Financial services, funds | Regulated financial activity |
DMCC and IFZA together account for a significant share of Indian-founder incorporations simply because they are well understood and the processes are predictable. RAKEZ is worth a serious look if cost is the primary constraint.
What documents do you need?
The document list is broadly standard across freezones: passport copy, proof of address, and passport-size photographs. The Indian-specific requirement to be aware of is apostille.
Documents issued in India, board resolutions, power of attorney, educational certificates for certain regulated activities, typically need to be notarised and then apostilled through the Ministry of External Affairs. India joined the Hague Apostille Convention, so the process exists and is workable, but it adds time. Build at least a couple of weeks into your planning for this step.
Can you complete the setup remotely?
The incorporation itself, yes, largely. Several freezones allow you to sign documents electronically or via a registered representative, and DTC handles a significant portion of Indian-founder setups without the founder being on the ground for the company registration stage.
Banking is a different matter. Most UAE banks require in-person KYC before they will activate a business account. Digital-first banks like Wio are somewhat more flexible, but even they have identity verification requirements. Plan for at least one trip to Dubai, timed around bank account opening once your trade licence is in hand.
UAE tax position for Indian founders
The UAE levies 0% personal income tax. Corporate tax of 9% applies to profits above the statutory threshold, Qualifying Freezone Persons can access a 0% rate on qualifying income, subject to substance and other conditions.
The more nuanced question is your Indian tax position. The UAE and India have a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, and it is a useful one. But whether it protects your UAE company’s income from Indian tax depends on where management and control of the company sits, your own tax residency status, and how distributions are structured. These are not questions to leave until later. Get proper advice from someone who knows both systems before you incorporate.
Getting a UAE resident visa
As the owner of a UAE freezone or mainland company, you can typically sponsor your own investor or partner visa. That visa gets you an Emirates ID, which unlocks UAE banking more reliably, and in time allows you to apply for a UAE Tax Residency Certificate, useful if you want to formally establish UAE tax residency.
The Golden Visa is also available to Indian nationals who meet the qualifying criteria (property ownership above the threshold, or a salary above a certain level, or an approved investment). It grants 10-year residency without a company requirement, though many Indian founders use it alongside a company rather than instead of one.
Already left the UAE with a company, visa or accounts still open? Our UAE Wind-Down tells you what’s still live in your name, and closes it down properly, from here.