TamkinExpress is your expert partner for Dubai company registration, UAE company formation, and complete business setup — mainland, free zone, or offshore — from trade licence to bank account.
Cost: Dubai free zone company registration starts from AED 12,000, mainland from AED 15,000, and offshore from AED 10,000.
Timeline: Free zone setup takes 3–5 working days; mainland (DED) registration takes 7–10 working days.
Ownership: 100% foreign ownership is allowed for mainland, free zone, and offshore companies in the UAE — no local sponsor is required for most activities.
Who handles it: TamkinExpress, based in Abu Dhabi, manages Dubai company registration and UAE company formation end-to-end — trade name, documents, government submission, licence, bank account and visas.
Dubai is the UAE's most sought-after destination for business registration. From DMCC to IFZA, Jebel Ali to DED mainland — Dubai offers world-class infrastructure, zero personal income tax, and a global gateway for international trade.
TamkinExpress handles company registration in Dubai end-to-end — whether you want a mainland trade licence from DED, a free zone licence from DMCC, DIFC or IFZA, or an offshore structure through JAFZA. We manage every step so your Dubai company registration is fast, fully compliant, and hassle-free.
Register directly with DED (Dubai Economy & Tourism). Trade anywhere in UAE including government contracts. 100% foreign ownership permitted across most activities.
DMCC, IFZA, DIFC, DAFZA & more. 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax, fast company registration in Dubai — 3 to 5 working days.
JAFZA offshore registration for international trading, asset holding and wealth management — no physical presence needed in the UAE.
We assist with corporate bank account opening for all Dubai and UAE company structures — documentation support and bank introductions included.
From Dubai company registration to Abu Dhabi business licensing — we manage every step of your UAE company formation, fully compliant and on time.
100% foreign ownership, LLC registration with DED Dubai or TAMM Abu Dhabi, trade licence approval, and full UAE local market access including government contracts.
100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax, full profit repatriation — across DMCC, IFZA, DIFC, DAFZA, RAKEZ and 40+ UAE free zones.
International company formation, zero corporate tax, asset protection, and fast offshore registration in Dubai (JAFZA) and RAK (RAK ICC).
New trade licence applications, annual renewals, activity additions, and amendments — managed on your behalf across all UAE emirates without delays.
Expert assistance opening a UAE business bank account for mainland, free zone, and offshore companies — including full documentation preparation and bank introductions.
Name changes, shareholder amendments, activity additions, address updates, and MOA modifications — processed quickly and correctly across Dubai and all UAE.
Every business has unique needs. We advise the best UAE company formation structure based on your activity, market, and ownership goals.
Best for businesses targeting the UAE local market — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or across all emirates — government contracts, or requiring physical presence everywhere.
Ideal for international businesses, startups, and investors seeking tax advantages, fast Dubai company registration, and 100% ownership.
Perfect for international trading, asset holding, wealth management — businesses that don't require a physical UAE or Dubai presence.
From first call to licence in hand — here's exactly how TamkinExpress handles your UAE company formation.
We review your business activity, ownership goals, and visa needs — then recommend the best Dubai or UAE structure for your situation.
We reserve your trade name and prepare all incorporation documents — MOA, share certificates, and all supporting paperwork for your Dubai company registration.
Our team submits to DED Dubai, the free zone authority, or offshore registry — tracking every approval and handling all government queries on your behalf.
Your trade licence and company documents are delivered. Your UAE business is registered, fully compliant, and ready to operate.
We provide a complete checklist after your free consultation. Here's what most Dubai and UAE company registrations require:
Colour copies of passports for all shareholders and managers involved in the UAE or Dubai company.
Required for UAE residents who are shareholders or managers of the company being registered.
3–5 proposed company names in order of preference for DED Dubai or free zone authority approval.
Ejari tenancy contract or flexi-desk agreement as proof of registered address in Dubai or UAE.
A clear description of all business activities to be licensed under your Dubai or UAE company.
Memorandum of Association and Shareholder Agreement for multi-partner company setups in UAE.
Timelines vary by jurisdiction. Here's a typical Dubai and UAE company registration breakdown:
Free consultation, Dubai or UAE jurisdiction selection, and trade name submission to the relevant authority.
MOA drafting, share certificates, and all incorporation documents prepared and signed for your UAE company formation.
Documents submitted to DED Dubai, the free zone authority, or offshore registry — all tracked by our team.
Trade licence and incorporation certificate delivered. Dubai or UAE company is fully registered and operational.
We assist with UAE corporate bank account opening and investor or employee visa applications after company formation.
We're UAE-based specialists covering company registration across all emirates, free zones, and offshore jurisdictions.
Dubai free zone companies in 3–5 days. Dubai mainland in 7–10 working days. We don't waste your time.
No hidden fees. Full UAE company formation cost breakdown before we start — what you see is what you pay.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, RAK, Ajman, Fujairah — business registration UAE mainland, free zone & offshore covered.
From UAE company formation to visa, bank account, and annual renewals — one expert team, no juggling vendors.
Quick, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll come across during Dubai company registration and UAE company formation.
A Dubai mainland company is a business licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DED) that can trade anywhere in the UAE, including government contracts, with 100% foreign ownership permitted for most activities.
A free zone company is registered with a specific free zone authority (e.g. DMCC, IFZA, DIFC) and gets 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, and full profit repatriation, but trades mainly outside the UAE mainland market.
A UAE offshore company (via JAFZA or RAK ICC) is used for international trading, asset holding, and wealth management. It has no physical office requirement in the UAE and cannot trade with the UAE local market.
A DED trade licence is the official commercial, professional, or industrial licence issued by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism, required for every mainland company registration in Dubai.
Since the 2021 UAE Commercial Companies Law amendment, foreign investors can own 100% of a UAE mainland company without an Emirati local partner, for most business activities — a major shift from the older sponsorship model.
A flexi-desk is a shared, cost-effective office solution offered by UAE free zones that satisfies the physical address requirement for company registration without leasing a dedicated office.
Twelve in-depth guides on UAE company formation — written with AI assistance, reviewed for accuracy, and available instantly below.
Click a topic to jump straight to that guide
Choosing between a Dubai mainland company and a Dubai free zone company is the first major decision in any UAE company formation. Both now allow 100% foreign ownership following the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reform, so the real decision comes down to where and how you plan to trade.
A mainland company, licensed through DED (Dubai Economy and Tourism), can trade anywhere in the UAE, open multiple branches, and bid for government contracts. A free zone company — registered with an authority like DMCC, IFZA or DIFC — is built for international trade and free-zone-to-free-zone business; trading directly into the UAE mainland market generally requires a local distributor or a separate mainland licence.
Mainland companies are subject to standard UAE corporate tax rules. Many free zone companies can still qualify for a 0% rate on "qualifying income" under the UAE's free zone tax regime, provided strict substance and activity conditions are met.
Choose mainland if you need UAE-wide market access, government contracts, or a retail/physical presence. Choose free zone if you're trading internationally, building a tech/consulting/e-commerce business, or want the fastest, most affordable company registration in Dubai.
DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) is one of the world's largest and most reputable free zones, originally built for the commodities and trading sector but now home to thousands of trading, tech, and consulting businesses.
DMCC is ideal for general trading, commodities (gold, diamonds, tea, agri-trade), fintech, and professional services businesses that want a globally recognised free zone address in Jumeirah Lakes Towers.
DMCC company registration packages typically start from around AED 15,000–20,000 depending on visa quota and office type, with registration usually completing in 5–7 working days once documents are finalised.
DMCC consistently ranks among the top free zones globally, making it a strong choice for businesses that want brand credibility alongside fast, compliant company registration in Dubai.
IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) is one of the most affordable and flexible free zones in the UAE, based in Dubai's Dubai Silicon Oasis area, and is hugely popular with startups, freelancers and SMEs.
IFZA company registration packages typically start from AED 12,000–15,000, with setup completing in as little as 3–5 working days — among the fastest routes to a Dubai trade licence.
IFZA offers 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate tax on qualifying income, and flexi-desk arrangements that keep costs low. Visa packages are flexible and can be added as the business grows.
IFZA is generally the most budget-friendly option; DMCC carries stronger brand recognition for trading and commodities; DIFC is the go-to choice specifically for regulated financial services. TamkinExpress compares all three against your activity before recommending a free zone.
An offshore company in the UAE is a non-resident legal entity used for international trading, holding assets, or wealth management — without a physical office or operational presence in the UAE.
JAFZA offshore registration (Dubai) is well-suited to businesses wanting a Dubai-based offshore entity with strong banking relationships. RAK ICC (Ras Al Khaimah) offers a similarly fast, cost-effective alternative, often preferred for holding company and asset-protection structures.
Offshore company dubai formation typically starts from AED 10,000 and can be completed quickly once documents are notarised. The key restriction: offshore companies cannot trade with the UAE local market or obtain UAE residence visas tied to the offshore entity — for that, a free zone or mainland structure is needed alongside it.
The cost of company registration in Dubai varies significantly by structure, free zone, and visa quota. Here's a realistic breakdown:
Dubai mainland company registration through DED typically starts from AED 15,000 and can rise to AED 30,000+ depending on the business activity, office size, and number of visas required.
JAFZA and RAK ICC offshore formation starts from around AED 10,000.
TamkinExpress provides a complete, itemised UAE company formation cost breakdown before you commit — no hidden fees.
Opening a corporate bank account in the UAE after company registration is a critical next step, and banks have become more thorough with their compliance checks for new, foreign-owned companies.
Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAK Bank, ADCB and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank are among the banks regularly used by newly registered mainland and free zone companies, including conventional and Islamic banking options.
Account opening typically takes 2–6 weeks. Foreign-owned companies with limited UAE operating history sometimes face extra scrutiny — a clear business plan, expected transaction volumes, and proper documentation significantly improve approval odds. TamkinExpress prepares the documentation and introduces clients to the banks best suited to their activity.
Since the 2021 amendment to the UAE Commercial Companies Law, foreign investors can own 100% of a mainland company in Dubai and across the UAE, without needing an Emirati local partner — a change that reshaped UAE company formation for international investors.
Previously, mainland LLCs required a UAE national to hold at least 51% of shares. Today, the vast majority of commercial, industrial and professional activities allow full foreign ownership, with only a short list of strategically sensitive activities (defence, certain security-related fields) still requiring Emirati participation.
Free zone and offshore companies have always permitted 100% foreign ownership — this was their core advantage even before the mainland reform.
TamkinExpress advises on the small number of activities that still require a local service agent, so there are no surprises during registration.
Once your Dubai company registration is complete, the next priority is usually securing an investor visa or residence visa for yourself and your team.
Company owners with sufficient paid-up capital or share value typically qualify for an investor (partner) visa, valid for 2–3 years and renewable alongside the trade licence.
The typical path is: entry permit → status change/medical test → Emirates ID application → visa stamping. Costs generally run from AED 3,000–5,000 per visa depending on category and processing speed.
Entrepreneurs meeting specific investment or business-value thresholds may also qualify for the UAE's long-term Golden Visa. TamkinExpress manages the entire visa process — entry permit through Emirates ID — alongside your company formation.
The exact paperwork needed for company registration in Dubai depends on the structure you choose. Here's what to prepare for each:
Some documents for foreign corporate shareholders may need notarisation and attestation in the home country before submission. TamkinExpress provides the full checklist and handles attestation coordination after your free consultation.
The UAE remains one of the most tax-efficient jurisdictions globally, but it's no longer a zero-tax environment across the board — understanding the current rules matters for any UAE company formation.
A 9% corporate tax applies to taxable profits exceeding AED 375,000 per year (effective from June 2023). Profits below that threshold are taxed at 0%.
Qualifying free zone companies can still benefit from a 0% rate on "qualifying income," provided they meet substance requirements and the relevant activity conditions — this remains one of the strongest reasons to choose a Dubai free zone company.
VAT at 5% applies to most goods and services, with mandatory registration once annual turnover exceeds AED 375,000.
The UAE has also signed multiple double tax treaties and operates Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) for certain activities. TamkinExpress advises on structuring your company for optimal tax efficiency from day one.
Company registration in Abu Dhabi follows a similar structure to Dubai but with its own authorities and free zones — and is TamkinExpress's home jurisdiction.
Abu Dhabi mainland companies are licensed through TAMM, the digital government platform linked to the Department of Economic Development (ADDED), with the same 100% foreign ownership rules as Dubai mainland.
Abu Dhabi often suits businesses in oil & gas, construction, government-linked projects, media and finance, sometimes with more competitive office costs than Dubai's most established free zones.
TamkinExpress's office (Musaffah M43, Abu Dhabi) handles business setup Abu Dhabi and Dubai company registration side by side, so you can compare both jurisdictions before deciding.
The DED trade licence, issued by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism, is the core requirement for any mainland company registration in Dubai.
The process covers trade name reservation, activity approval, initial approval from DED, MOA drafting, Ejari/tenancy registration, and final licence issuance — typically completed online via Dubai's digital government channels or in person.
DED trade licence fees generally start from AED 10,000–15,000+, with full registration completing in 7–10 working days, plus annual renewal each year.
A DED licence allows UAE-wide trading and government contracts; a free zone licence restricts local UAE trading but offers tax advantages and a faster, often cheaper setup. TamkinExpress helps you weigh both before applying.
Everything investors ask before starting their Dubai company registration or UAE company formation.
Dubai mainland, free zone, or offshore — fast, fully compliant company formation and business registration UAE-wide.
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Office No. 49, Musaffah M43, Abu Dhabi – UAE
+971 588 967 713
info@tamkinexpress.com