Foreign CompanySetup
Countries / Asia / United Arab Emirates

Country & jurisdiction guide

Company setup in United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates · 35 legal forms listed

AE
CapitalAbu Dhabi
CurrencyAED
LanguagesArabic
RegionWestern Asia

Start with the right structure

Explore legal entity forms and registration sources for United Arab Emirates. Use the local terminology below when discussing your application with the relevant authority.

Choose the licensing jurisdiction

Start by distinguishing mainland registration from a free-zone setup. The issuing authority and permitted business activities determine the applicable route.

Official guidance ↗

Free-zone formation

Free-zone legal structures include limited liability companies. The selected zone, activity, office arrangement and any additional regulatory approvals shape the application.

Official guidance ↗

What to confirm before applying

These are planning questions, not verified United Arab Emirates requirements.

Foreign ownership & activity

Ask whether your nationality, ownership percentage and proposed business activity require investment approval, a local partner or a sector licence.

Directors & local presence

Confirm the required directors, shareholders, registered office, local representative and any residency or company-secretary rules.

Capital & incorporation costs

Obtain the current minimum capital, filing fees, notarisation costs, translations and annual renewal or service charges for the selected legal form.

Tax & ongoing compliance

Verify corporate tax, VAT or sales tax, withholding, beneficial-ownership reporting, accounting, audit and annual-return obligations.

Banking & immigration

Check bank onboarding and source-of-funds evidence separately. Company registration should not be treated as approval for banking, residence or work permission.

Explore investment rules with UNCTAD ↗

Your setup preparation checklist

Use this general sequence with the authority’s country-specific instructions. Ticks are temporary and reset when you leave this page.

Registration authorities

Sources listed by GLEIF. Some authorities cover regulated entities or validation only; check the relevant remit before applying. Links have not all been individually revalidated.

GLEIF authority list v1.8.1, November 2024 ↗