Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most from founders setting up in the UAE. Can't find yours? Ask us directly.
Business Formation
A mainland company, licensed through the Department of Economy and Tourism, can trade anywhere in the UAE and bid on government contracts. A free zone company is registered within a specific free zone, offers 0% tax on qualifying income, but generally needs a local distributor to sell directly within the UAE mainland market.
Most free zone licenses are issued within 3–7 working days, and mainland licenses within 5–10 working days, once all documentation is submitted correctly. Complex structures or additional approvals can extend this timeline.
Yes. Both mainland and free zone companies now allow 100% foreign ownership across the vast majority of business activities.
Offshore & International
No. UAE offshore companies (JAFZA, RAK ICC, or Ajman) cannot lease UAE office space, sponsor employee visas, or trade directly within the local UAE market. They're designed for holding assets, international invoicing, and group structuring.
Yes. We assist with 100% foreign-owned entity registration in Saudi Arabia through the Ministry of Investment (MISA), including GOSI and Qiwa registration and ongoing local compliance.
Visas & Residency
Eligible profiles include qualifying real estate investors, entrepreneurs with approved projects, specialized professionals in fields like medicine and engineering, outstanding students, and senior executives. We assess your profile against current criteria before applying.
Yes. Most residence visa categories allow you to sponsor your spouse and children, and in qualifying cases, parents and domestic staff, subject to minimum salary or investment conditions.
Banking
The most common reasons are incomplete KYC documentation, an unclear business activity description, or a missing source-of-funds narrative. We prepare your full file in advance to avoid these issues.
We maintain direct relationships with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Emirates NBD, Mashreq, and ADCB, and can recommend the best fit based on your business activity and turnover.
VAT & Corporate Tax
VAT registration is mandatory once your taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000 in a 12-month period, and optional above AED 187,500. We assess your revenue and register you accordingly.
0% applies to taxable profits up to AED 375,000, and 9% above that threshold. Qualifying Free Zone Persons may retain a 0% rate on qualifying income if specific conditions are met.
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Still Have Questions?
Our advisory team is happy to walk you through your specific situation.