United Arab Emirates

Set up your company in the UAE, free zone or mainland.

We help you pick the right licence, open the company and the bank account, and get your residence visa. If you want to buy property in Dubai, we handle that too.

Downtown Dubai at sunrise

Two directions

Dubai / Abu Dhabi · AED · French, English, Arabic

From France to the United Arab Emirates

  • French companies opening a free zone or mainland company
  • French brands using Dubai as their Gulf base
  • French investors buying property in Dubai
  • Residence visas for founders and their families

From the United Arab Emirates to France

  • Emirati investors buying property in France
  • UAE companies opening a French company
  • Visas and residence in France
  • Gulf brands entering Europe through France

How your company setup works

The moment you register, your client portal opens with these steps. Each one is ticked off as we go, and you get an email when something moves.

01

Request received

We have your request. Your file is open and an adviser will be assigned to it.

02

Your information and documents

Send your passport copy and your proof of address, propose three company names and describe your activity.

03

Activity and legal form confirmed

The activity decides the type of licence and the legal form. We confirm them with you, and whether the company is on the mainland or in a free zone.

04

Trade name and initial approval

The economic department of the emirate, or the free zone authority, registers the trade name and gives its initial approval. This approval means there is no objection. It does not yet allow the company to operate.

05

Memorandum of association signed

The memorandum of association is prepared, then signed and attested. You sign in person or give us a power of attorney.

06

Business address

A lease for an office is required for the licence. The tenancy contract is registered with the emirate.

07

Licence issued

Any extra approval linked to your activity is obtained, the official fees are paid and the trade licence is issued.

08

Ready to operate

The company opens its immigration and labour files to sponsor visas, registers for corporate tax and opens its bank account. Your documents are available here.

Start your company setup in the UAE

Register in a minute. You get a client portal to follow every step, and the link to book your introductory call.

  1. You get an email with the link to your client portal.
  2. You send your documents and your company details from the portal, at your own pace.
  3. We do the filings and you get an email each time your application moves forward.

Prefer to answer a few short questions first? Create your company online, step by step

A 6-digit SMS code will be sent to your phone

No obligation. Your details stay private.

What we can do there

Company formation

We pick the right legal form with you and handle the registration.

Banking & finance

We prepare the file the bank asks for and go with you to the appointment.

Visa & residency

Residence and work visas for you, your family and your staff.

Property investment

Finding the property, checking the paperwork, and the purchase itself.

Business consulting

Advice on the market, introductions to partners and suppliers.

Introductions

We put you in touch with the right people on both sides, in French, English or Arabic.

Our guides on the UAE

Setting up a company in Dubai: free zone or mainland, tax and residence

Dubai is no longer a zero-tax country, but it remains very competitive. Free zone or mainland, tax, visa: the rules in force and the mistakes to avoid...

Questions we often get

Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in the UAE?

Yes. Free zone companies have always allowed full foreign ownership, and since 2021 most mainland activities do too. A few strategic activities still need a local partner. We check your activity before you apply.

Free zone or mainland: which one do I need?

A free zone company is quicker to set up and suits consulting, trading outside the UAE and regional offices. If you want to sell directly to customers across the UAE or work on government contracts, a mainland company is usually the better choice. We explain the difference for your situation on the first call.

Does buying property in Dubai give me a residence visa?

Property owners can apply for a residence visa. The 10-year Golden Visa requires property worth at least AED 2 million, with conditions on mortgages and off-plan purchases. We confirm the current rules before you buy.

Is there corporate tax in the UAE?

Yes, since June 2023. The standard rate is 9% on profits above AED 375,000. Some free zone income can qualify for 0%. Your accountant should look at your structure before you choose.

Tell us about your project.

The first call takes 30 minutes. You will know what is needed, how long it takes and roughly what it costs.

French, English or Arabic. We reply within 24 hours.

Footage: Pexels.

Let's get you to the right advisor

Tell us a little about your enquiry and we'll open WhatsApp with your details ready to send.