Company Formation in Dubai: Complete Guide
⚡ The 30-Second Summary:
Setting up a company in Dubai is accessible from USD 950 / GBP 750 depending on the structure, with timelines ranging from 3 business days (offshore) to 14 days (freezone). The UAE offers three main structures:
- Freezone (100% foreign ownership, tax exemption up to a threshold),
- Mainland (full UAE market access, 100% foreign capital since 2021),
- Offshore (maximum confidentiality, 0% tax on profits).
Our expert team supports you end to end. Free consultation.
Why Set Up a Company in Dubai?
Dubaï s’est imposé comme la première destination mondiale pour les entrepreneurs francophones — français, belges, suisses et canadiens — souhaitant optimiser leur fiscalité, protéger leurs actifs et accéder à un marché de 2 milliards de consommateurs dans un rayon de 4 heures de vol. Avec 0 % d’impôt sur le revenu des personnes physiques et un impôt sur les sociétés plafonné à 9 % (applicable uniquement aux bénéfices supérieurs à 375 000 AED, soit ~95 000 €), les Émirats Arabes Unis offrent l’un des cadres fiscaux les plus compétitifs au monde.
Ce guide complet vous présente les 3 types de sociétés disponibles à Dubaï, les délais et coûts réels, les étapes de création, la fiscalité et les réponses aux questions les plus fréquentes. Nos consultants francophones, basés au Fairmont Dubai (Sheikh Zayed Road), gérent l’intégralité de vos démarches.
The 3 Structures for Setting Up Your Dubai Company
Freezone Company: Flexibility & Tax Exemption
Free Zones are special economic zones with their own rules and tax advantages. They host 150,000+ companies of all sizes.
- 100% foreign ownership, no local partner
- 0% Corporate Tax for QFZP on qualifying income
- Setup in 3 to 7 days, 100% online
- Visa(s) included depending on package
- From AED 11,900/year (IFZA) — most cost-effective option
- Ideal for: consulting, e-commerce, tech, media, international trading /
- Restriction: cannot sell directly to the UAE local market
Principales Free Zones : DMCC, IFZA, Meydan, DIFC, Dubai Media City, JAFZA.
Mainland Company: Full UAE Market Access
The Mainland LLC (Limited Liability Company) is registered with the DET (Department of Economy and Tourism) and can operate freely across the entire UAE.
- 100% foreign ownership since the May 2021 reform
- Unlimited access to the UAE local market — direct invoicing to UAE clients
- Eligible for government tenders and public sector contracts
- Physical retail presence: restaurant, shop, showroom
- Setup in 5 to 10 business days
- Physical office required (DET-approved co-working from AED 15,000/year)
- Ideal for: restaurants, retail, construction, local B2B services
Offshore Company — For Holding & International Trading
The UAE offshore company (JAFZA Offshore or RAK ICC) is a lightweight structure, with no office or visa, designed for purely international operations.
- No physical office required — minimal operating costs
- No residence visa generated
- Setup in 3 to 5 business days, 100% remote
- From AED 7,000/year (RAK ICC)
- Ideal for: shareholding structures, B2B international trading, intellectual property holding, asset protection
Comparison of the 3 Legal Business Structures in Dubai
| Criterion | Free Zone | Mainland LLC | Offshore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign ownership | 100 % | 100% (since 2021) | 100 % |
| UAE local operations | Limited | Unlimited | Not permitted |
| Residence visa | Yes | Yes | No |
| Physical office | Optional | Mandatory | Not required |
| Setup time | 3–7 days | 5–10 days | 3–5 days |
| Estimated annual cost | AED 12,000–25,000 | AED 20,000–40,000 | AED 7,000–15,000 |
| Corporate Tax | 0% (QFZP) or 9% | 9% on profit > AED 375K | 0% (offshore income) |
| Best for | Services, tech, e-commerce | Local trade, F&B, retail | Holding, int'l trading |
Corporate Taxation in Dubai
Corporate Income Tax: Current Rules
Depuis le 1er juin 2023, les EAU ont introduit un impôt sur les sociétés (Corporate Tax) au taux de 9 %. Voici les règles applicables :
- 0% on net profits ≤ AED 375,000
- 9% on the portion of profits > AED 375,000
- Individuals (salaries, personal income) are not taxed
- Qualifying Freezone companies (QFZP) benefit from 0% on 'qualifying income'
- Les multinationales réalisant un CA mondial > 750 M€ sont soumises au taux minimum mondial OCDE de 15 % (Pilier 2, applicable aux EAU)
The UAE has signed 137+ double tax agreements (DTAs), helping avoid double taxation with the UK, France, Germany, India, Canada, Australia and many other countries.
H2: VAT in Dubai: Who Is Affected?
VAT (5%) applies to businesses with annual revenue exceeding AED 375,000. VAT registration is mandatory for Mainland companies above this threshold. Free Zones generally benefit from designated VAT-exempt zones for intra-zone transactions.
Combien coûte la création d'une société à Dubaï ?
Les coûts varient significativement selon la structure et la Free Zone choisie :
- Free Zone économique (IFZA, Meydan) : AED 11 900 à AED 15 000/an tout compris (licence + 1 visa)
- Free Zone premium (DMCC, DIFC) : AED 18 000 à AED 35 000/an
- Mainland LLC : AED 20 000 à AED 40 000 (frais DED + notaire + bureau + visa)
- Offshore (RAK ICC) : AED 7 000 à AED 10 000/an (hors compte bancaire)
Ces montants sont des fourchettes indicatives. Nos experts vous fournissent un devis précis adapté à votre activité et votre situation.
Opening a Corporate Bank Account in Dubai
L’ouverture d’un compte bancaire professionnel est une étape indispensable, souvent perçue comme la plus complexe par les entrepreneurs étrangers. Les principales banques acceptant les sociétés étrangères sont :
|
Bank |
Best For |
Opening Time |
Min. Balance |
|
Emirates NBD |
All structures SMEs, large companies |
3–4 weeks |
AED 50,000 |
|
ADCB |
Freezone, Mainland |
2–3 weeks |
AED 25,000 |
|
RAK Bank |
SMEs, startups, lower cost |
2–4 weeks |
AED 25,000 |
|
Mashreq Bank |
Fintech, e-commerce, multi-currency |
3 – 5 semaines |
AED 50,000 |
|
DIFC institutions |
Funds, asset management, DIFC entities |
4–8 weeks |
Variable |
Our consultants prepare your complete KYC file (passports, proof of address, business plan and financial statements) to maximize your chances of bank approval on the first submission.
Why Dubai Attracts International Entrepreneurs
| advantage | What It Means in Practice | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | 0% personal income tax | Your dividends and salary are not taxed in the UAE |
| 🌍 | 137 DTAs | Including UK, France, Germany, India, Canada, Australia |
| ⚡ | Création en 3 jours (offshore) | Setup in 3 days (offshore) — vs. 3–6 months in Europe |
| 🛂 | Residence visa included | Eligibility to obtain UAE personal tax residency |
| 💰 | No foreign exchange controls | Free repatriation of profits in any currency. |
| 🏙️ | Strategic Geographic Location | 4-hour flight from 2 billion consumers |
| ⚖️ | DIFC Courts | English common law framework, strong investor protection |
Post-Formation Obligations: Accounting, VAT & Compliance
- IFRS-compliant accounting records (minimum 5-year retention)
- Annual Corporate Tax filing via the EmaraTax portal (Federal Tax Authority)
- VAT registration mandatory if revenue > AED 375,000 (quarterly filing)
- Annual audit mandatory for Mainland and most Freezone companies
- ESR compliance for relevant activities (holding, IP, finance)
- Annual Trade Licence and residence visa renewal
- CRS/FATCA compliance for entities holding international financial assets
Why Choose Investir à Dubai for Your Company Formation?
Investir à Dubai est un cabinet de conseil francophone spécialisé dans la création de sociétés et l’immigration aux Émirats Arabes Unis. Notre équipe, basée au Fairmont Dubai, Sheikh Zayed RoadDedicated English-speaking consultant from day one
- Accompagnement en français — interlocuteur dédié de A à Z
- Multi-jurisdiction expertise: Freezone, Mainland, Offshore, Freelance
- Established banking network: faster account openings at Emirates NBD, ADCB, RAKBank
- In-depth Free Zone knowledge: DMCC, IFZA, JAFZA, DIFC, RAKEZ
- Integrated tax compliance: Corporate Tax 9%, VAT, ESR, CRS/FATCA
- Post-formation follow-up: licence renewal, accounting, Golden Visa
FAQ — Setting Up a Company in Dubai
Approximately USD 3,800–7,600 for an offshore company (most accessible), USD 5,400–13,000 for a Mainland company, and USD 6,500–16,300 for a Freezone — first-year costs included. Excludes residence visa (USD 1,300–1,950 per person). Contact us for a personalised firm quote.
Offshore (RAK ICC / JAFZA): 3 to 5 business days. Freezone (IFZA, SPC, DMCC): 3 to 10 business days. Mainland LLC: 7 to 20 business days depending on activity and approvals required. Add 2 to 4 weeks for the residence visa and 2 to 6 weeks for the bank account.
Yes. Company registration for a Freezone or offshore company is fully remote. A brief UAE visit of 1–2 days is required for biometric registration and bank account opening. Mainland LLC may require notarised signatures in Dubai.
A Freezone company can invoice international clients and benefits from a streamlined setup, but cannot sell directly to the UAE local market. A Mainland LLC has full UAE market access and can bid for government contracts, but requires a physical office and has a longer setup process.
Yes. A 9% Corporate Tax applies to profits above AED 375,000 per year. Below this threshold: 0%. Qualifying Freezone Persons (QFZP) benefit from 0% on qualifying income. Large multinationals (global revenue > EUR 750M) are subject to 15% under OECD Pillar Two.
Yes. UAE companies can be managed entirely remotely — bank transfers, invoicing, e-banking and regulatory filings are all accessible online. A UAE-based accounting and compliance partner (such as our team) handles local obligations on your behalf.
The main banks for foreign-owned companies are Emirates NBD, ADCB, FAB and RAKBank. Requirements: commercial licence, passport, proof of address, business plan, 6 months' bank statements. A professional KYC file significantly increases first-attempt success rates. One in-person visit to Dubai is generally required.
Not directly. Company formation generates an investor residence visa (2–3 years), not a Golden Visa. The Golden Visa (10 years) requires a separate eligibility criterion: real estate investment ≥ AED 2M, capital fund ≥ AED 2M, approved startup or exceptional talent status.
All UAE companies must: (1) register for Corporate Tax with the FTA, (2) maintain IFRS-compliant bookkeeping, (3) file an annual CT return within 9 months of the financial year-end, (4) register for VAT if annual revenue exceeds AED 375,000. Annual audit is mandatory for DMCC, DIFC and most Freezone entities. Accounting records must be retained for a minimum of 7 years.
Set Up Your Dubai Company Today
Our French-speaking consultants provide a free assessment of your project and recommend the business structure best suited to your objectives.
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