Setup Guide

How to set up a free zone company in the UAE

Choose a zone, pick your activity, reserve the name, submit passport copies and the application, then collect the licence, establishment card and visas. Two weeks is typical. A free-zone company gives you 100% foreign ownership and residence visas with no local partner — below is each step in order, from choosing the right zone to opening a corporate bank account.

What's inside
  1. Choose the right free zone
  2. Choose your activity & licence type
  3. Choose your package
  4. Reserve your company name
  5. Submit documents & application
  6. Get your establishment card & visas
  7. Open a corporate bank account
100%foreign ownership, no local partner
0%corporate tax on qualifying income
40+free zones across the UAE
1–2 wkstypical licence turnaround
At a glance

What you'll need

Free zone
The authority you register with, chosen on cost, activity, location and visas
Licence type
Commercial/trading, service/professional or industrial, based on your activity
Company type
FZE for a single shareholder, or FZ-LLC/FZCO for multiple shareholders
Package
Visa quota plus workspace — flexi-desk or a physical office
Shareholder documents
Passport copies, photos, application form, and sometimes a CV or business plan
Capital
No paid-up capital required for most free zone setups
The process

Setting up a free zone company, step by step

The same path we walk every client through — in plain English.

1
Choose the right free zoneZones differ on cost, permitted activities, location and visa quotas. IFZA, Meydan, RAKEZ, SHAMS and DMCC each suit different budgets and sectors — we match the zone to your plan.
2
Choose your activity & licence typeYour activity decides your licence: commercial/trading, service/professional or industrial. Pick the activities that match what you'll actually do, and check any that need external approvals.
3
Choose your packageFree zones sell packages by visa count and workspace — a flexi-desk keeps costs down, an office unlocks more visas. Pick the package that fits your team and space needs.
4
Reserve your company nameChoose a compliant trade name and reserve it with the free zone authority. We check availability and the naming rules for you.
5
Submit documents & applicationProvide passport copies, photos and the application form — some activities also need a CV or business plan. The authority issues your trade licence once it's cleared.
6
Get your establishment card & visasWith your licence, apply for the establishment card, then your investor visa and any staff visas within your package quota — medical, Emirates ID and stamping included.
7
Open a corporate bank accountChoose a bank, prepare the file and apply. This is often the trickiest step — we prep it properly so it goes through.
FAQ

Free zone company setup — common questions

The things founders ask us most before they begin.

Ask AgentBiz

Yes. Free zones have always allowed 100% foreign ownership with no local partner — that's one of their main draws. Ownership can be a single shareholder (FZE) or several (FZ-LLC/FZCO).

It can trade freely within its zone and internationally. To sell into the mainland it usually works through a local distributor or sets up a mainland branch — we'll map the cleanest route for your activity.

It depends on the zone, your activity and how many visas you need. Packages start from a few thousand dirhams, and prices rise with visa quota and office space. We give you an exact, itemised quote before you commit.

Qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person is taxed at 0%; income that doesn't qualify is taxed at 9%. The conditions are specific, so we help you structure to stay compliant.

A straightforward free zone licence is often issued in 1–2 weeks. The establishment card, visas and bank account add time on top, so budget a few extra weeks to be fully operational.

Ready to start?

Get your free zone setup mapped out

Tell us your activity and goals — AgentBiz or a human advisor will match the right free zone and map the exact steps, cost and timeline for your business.