Business activities
Your licence must cover the work the company will actually perform. We clarify your products or services, revenue model and any activities that may require additional approval.
UAE COMPANY FORMATION & TRADE LICENCE
UAE company setup built around how you will actually do business.
Set up a UAE Free Zone or Mainland company with a clearly defined activity, itemised costs and one accountable partner coordinating the process from initial assessment to trade-licence issuance.
START WITH THE BUSINESS
The right UAE licence begins with the right questions.
A company should be structured around its activities, customers, ownership, transaction flows and residency needs—not around a promotional package.
Fenich Gateway helps international founders compare suitable formation routes, understand what a proposal includes and prepare the documents needed by the selected licensing authority.
WHAT WE ASSESS
Six factors that shape your UAE company formation.
Free Zone or Mainland
We compare jurisdictions according to operating scope, customer location, facility needs, visa capacity, authority requirements and renewal implications.
Shareholders and management
The number, nationality and type of shareholders can affect documentation. We also identify the proposed manager, authorised signatory and ownership structure.
Residence visas
If residency is required, the company route must accommodate the intended visa allocation and related establishment, immigration and Emirates ID steps.
Banking profile
Banks assess the real business, source of funds, counterparties, expected transactions and commercial substance. We consider these points before incorporation.
Ongoing obligations
Formation is the beginning. Bookkeeping, Corporate Tax, possible VAT registration, licence renewal and operational administration should be visible from day one.
FREE ZONE OR MAINLAND
Choose the jurisdiction for fit—not only for price.
UAE Free Zone company setup
A Free Zone can offer a defined incorporation process, 100% foreign ownership and a range of facility and visa options. The important questions are whether the authority offers the precise activities you need, how and where the company may trade, what facility is included and what the renewal will cost.
UAE Mainland company setup
A Mainland company may suit businesses that require a particular onshore activity, physical location, government-facing work or broader operating model. Licensing and office requirements vary by emirate and activity.
Neither route is universally better. Our recommendation records the commercial reasons behind the choice and any limitations that matter to your plan.
FORMATION PROCESS
From business brief to issued UAE trade licence.
Discovery and activity check
We document the business model, activities, owners, customers, locations, visa needs and banking expectations.
Structure recommendation
You receive a recommended jurisdiction and legal structure, including assumptions, limitations and relevant alternatives.
Itemised proposal
Authority charges, Fenich Gateway’s service fee and any optional third-party costs are separated before you commit.
Application preparation
We coordinate names, forms, shareholder documents and supporting evidence and check the submission for completeness.
Authority coordination
We track the application, communicate requests and coordinate signatures, approvals and payments with you.
Licence and next steps
After authority approval, we organise the issued documents and map the relevant residency, banking, tax and bookkeeping actions.
DOCUMENTS
What is usually required to set up a UAE company?
Requirements depend on the authority, activity, legal structure and applicant. A straightforward individual-shareholder application commonly starts with:
✓ Clear passport copy for every shareholder and manager
✓ Current contact and residential-address details
✓ Proposed company names and business activities
✓ Ownership percentages and authorised signatory details
✓ UAE entry stamp, visa or Emirates ID where applicable
✓ Business plan or professional evidence when requested
Corporate shareholders, regulated activities and complex ownership structures normally require additional legalised or attested documents. We confirm the applicable checklist before submission.
COST & SCOPE
Know what you are paying for.
The total UAE company setup cost depends on the licensing authority, activities, legal form, shareholders, visa allocation, facility and external approvals. We separate the cost categories so headline pricing does not obscure the real first-year budget.
Licence and authority chargesItemised in proposal
Fenich Gateway coordinationClearly separated
Visa and immigration costsIncluded when required
Facilities and third partiesListed if applicable
Expected renewalShown separately
TIMELINE
How long does UAE company formation take?
For eligible activities and jurisdictions, a UAE trade licence may be issued in as little as 48 hours after all required documents, approvals and payments are complete. The final timeline always remains subject to the licensing authority.
External approvals, corporate shareholders, regulated activities, name restrictions or incomplete documents can extend the process. Residence visas, Emirates ID and bank-account applications follow their own procedures and are not completed within the licence-issuance timeline.
AFTER INCORPORATION
Your licence is only the first operational milestone.
Residence visa and Emirates ID
Coordinate establishment registration, status steps, medical screening, biometrics and Emirates ID where included in your route.
Corporate banking preparation
Prepare ownership, business-model, transaction and source-of-funds information for a realistic bank application.
Tax and bookkeeping
Assess Corporate Tax registration, possible VAT obligations and the records the company must maintain.
Ongoing administration
Keep licence, visa, facility, company-document and compliance deadlines visible through one accountable contact.
COMMON QUESTIONS
UAE company setup FAQ.
Can a non-resident set up a company in the UAE?
Many UAE formation routes are available to non-resident and international shareholders. The suitable route depends on the activity, ownership structure and operational requirements. Residency and bank-account eligibility are separate considerations.
Does company formation guarantee a UAE bank account?
No. Banks conduct their own compliance and risk assessment. A coherent business profile and complete documentation improve preparation but cannot guarantee approval.
Is a residence visa included with every trade licence?
No. Some packages are licence-only, while others support a stated visa allocation. Immigration registration and individual visa costs should be confirmed separately.
Must a new UAE company register for Corporate Tax?
UAE companies should assess their registration and filing obligations promptly. The applicable treatment depends on current law and the company’s facts; regulated tax advice may be needed.
CLEAR BOUNDARIES
What our formation service does—and does not—promise.
Fenich Gateway coordinates the agreed setup scope, documents and authority process. Government approval, banking approval, tax outcomes and regulated legal opinions remain with the relevant authority, institution or licensed professional.
Every proposal identifies material assumptions and exclusions. Where specialist advice or additional approval is needed, we tell you before treating it as part of the route.
START YOUR UAE COMPANY
Get a documented recommendation and itemised proposal.
Tell us what the business will do, where its customers are, who will own it and whether you need UAE residency. We will help you identify a suitable setup route.