- Remote setup
- Possible
- Visit, notary or lawyer
- Depends on zone
- Local director
- Depends on zone
- Registered address
- Physical premises
- Minimum capital
- Not stated
- Yearly upkeep
- Licence renewal
- EU member
- No
- IWG business address
- 39 centresfrom $71/mo
What the registry requires
| Company type | Company in ADGM, a free zone such as DMCC, or on the mainland |
|---|---|
| Government filing fee | Varies — Depends on the zone and licence type. ADGM: name reservation $200, licence fees by activity category. |
| Registration time | ADGM expects approval within 10 business days when all requirements are met. Other zones differ. |
| Resident director | ADGM does not state a general director residency rule; its Tech Startup licence needs a UAE-resident signatory. |
| Visit, notary or lawyer | DMCC offers fully remote setup with e-signing by video call; other authorities differ. |
| Registered address | A virtual office is not accepted for a licence. ADGM requires a physical office (at least a dedicated desk); DMCC requires a registered office in DMCC such as a flexi-desk; on the mainland the lease must be registered with Ejari. |
| Minimum capital | Not stated |
| Corporate tax | Federal Corporate Tax: 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above. A Qualifying Free Zone Person pays 0% on qualifying income. |
| Every year | ADGM: annual commercial licence renewal, data protection renewal ($300), annual return and accounts. |
What it costs
- Government filing fee
- Varies
Depends on the zone and licence type. ADGM: name reservation $200, licence fees by activity category.
- Every year
- Licence renewal
ADGM: annual commercial licence renewal, data protection renewal ($300), annual return and accounts.
- Not included
- Provider fees
Registered agent or address, notary fees, accounting and bank onboarding vary by provider — ask for a quote in the request form.
How to register a company in the UAE, step by step
- Pick the licence: mainland (trade anywhere in the UAE) or a free zone.
- Choose activities and reserve a trade name.
- Secure premises: a flexi-desk or office in the free zone, or an Ejari-registered lease on the mainland.
- Submit the application and pay the licence and registration fees.
- Register for Corporate Tax and, if required, VAT.
- Renew the licence and lease every year.
Corporate tax in the UAE
0% / 9%. Federal Corporate Tax: 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above. A Qualifying Free Zone Person pays 0% on qualifying income.
Rates are the headline figures published by the tax authority; your effective rate depends on residence, activity and treaties. This is not tax advice.
Common mistakes
- Buying a virtual office address to license a company — ADGM and DMCC do not accept it, and a mainland licence needs an Ejari lease.
- Assuming a free zone means zero tax on everything — the 0% free zone rate applies only to qualifying income.
- Comparing only the licence price: premises, visas and renewals make up most of the first-year cost.
Guides for your situation
Compare UAE with alternatives
| Yearly upkeep | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 QatarLLC | QAR 1,500≈ $412 | Not stated | 10% income tax | No | MOJ notarisation | Lease for licence | Not stated |
 UAEFree zone or mainland company | Varies | ~10 business days (ADGM) | 0% / 9% | Depends on zone | Depends on zone | Physical premises | Licence renewal |
 OmanLLC | Varies | Not stated | 15% (3% small LLC) | No | Not required | Not stated | CR renewal |
 TurkeyLimited Şirket | Varies | Same day | 25% corporate tax | No | Registry or proxy | Lease contract | Not stated |
4 of 4 · official sources, checked September 27, 2026. Government fees only; agent and address costs are extra.≈ USD at ECB reference rates of September 25, 2026.
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Sources
- ADGM setup FAQ: physical office, 10 business days, $200 name reservation — adgm.com, checked September 27, 2026
- Corporate Tax threshold AED 375,000 — mof.gov.ae, checked September 27, 2026 (search extract)
- Mainland: Ejari-registered lease — u.ae, checked September 27, 2026 (search extract)
- DMCC: registered office in DMCC, remote setup — dmcc.ae, checked September 27, 2026 (search extract)
- Qualifying Free Zone Person 0% — tax.gov.ae, checked September 27, 2026 (search extract)