Yes, in most cases. Free zones have always allowed 100% foreign ownership, and since a 2021 reform to the Commercial Companies Law most mainland commercial and industrial activities do too — no Emirati partner needed. A short list of strategic activities is the main exception, so the exact answer depends on your specific activity.
For the vast majority of founders, full foreign ownership is now the norm rather than the exception. Two routes make it simple:
A short 'strategic impact' list of activities still requires an Emirati partner or a local agent — these cover areas the UAE keeps under closer control, such as certain security, defence and utility-related activities.
Professional sole establishments are owned 100% by the individual, but a foreign owner may need a Local Service Agent (LSA). An LSA is an Emirati who holds no equity and takes no share of profit — they simply liaise with government departments for an agreed annual fee.
Because ownership rules hinge on your exact activity and licence type, the safest step is to confirm before you commit. We check your chosen activity against the current mainland and free-zone rules, tell you plainly whether 100% ownership applies, and flag if an LSA or partner is needed — so there are no surprises at the licensing stage.
For most commercial and industrial activities, no — the 2021 reform removed the 51% Emirati shareholding requirement. Only the strategic-impact activities and some professional set-ups still involve a local partner or agent, and we confirm which applies to you.
An LSA is an Emirati individual or company that helps a foreign-owned professional firm with government liaison and PRO work. They hold no shares, take no profit, and have no say in the business — they receive an agreed annual fee for their administrative role.
Yes. Every UAE free zone allows full foreign ownership with no local partner, which is why free zones have long been popular with international founders. The trade-off is that free-zone companies mainly operate within their zone and internationally rather than directly across the mainland market.
Yes. Multiple foreign shareholders can hold a company between them in both free zones and most mainland activities, in whatever ownership split you agree. We structure the shareholding in your documents to match how you want it divided.
Tell us what your business will do — AgentBiz or a human advisor will confirm whether you qualify for full foreign ownership and how to set it up.