Burj Khalifa rising above the illuminated Downtown Dubai skyline at twilight
Business & PRO Services · UAE

Business setup.
Established in the UAE.

Business setup in Dubai and across the UAE: mainland and free zone company formation, trade licences and ongoing PRO support. One team to coordinate the paperwork.

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01

Why here, and why now

The UAE is not simply a destination. It is a working base — positioned between markets, structured for ownership, and built for people who intend to stay.

Connected to global markets

A strategic position between Europe, Africa and Asia — an effective base for trade, logistics and regional expansion.

Ownership you actually hold

Foreign founders can take 100% ownership in free zones and across many mainland activities, rather than working through a local partner.

A competitive tax position

A tax and regulatory environment that lets a business plan several years ahead instead of quarter to quarter.

Residency attached to the business

Owners and eligible employees can obtain UAE residency, making it practical to live where the company operates.

Structures that fit the plan

Mainland, free zone, branch or offshore — chosen against what the business does, not against what is quickest to file.

02

Mainland or free zone company formation?

Four routes into the UAE market. The right one depends on where your customers are — not on which is fastest to register.

Company structures compared
StructureBest forTrades inside UAEForeign ownership
MainlandSelling into the domestic UAE market, and bidding for government contracts.Yes — unrestrictedUp to 100%
Free ZoneExport, services and holding activity, with simplified setup and profit repatriation.Via distributor100%
Branch OfficeAn existing overseas company opening in the UAE without forming a separate legal entity.Yes — parent's activity100% (parent)
OffshoreHolding structures and international operations conducted outside the UAE market.No100%

Ownership rules and permitted activities vary by emirate, free zone and licensing authority. Every structure is confirmed against your specific activity before filing.

Want the structure chosen against your actual activity? Talk to an expert
03

UAE trade licences for your activity

What the company actually does determines which one of the three licences it needs.

Commercial

Buying and selling

Import, export, retail, trading and logistics — anything where goods change hands.

Professional

Selling expertise

Consulting, IT, accounting, marketing, design and other service-based practice.

Industrial

Manufacturing

Production, assembly, processing and industrial activity of every kind.

The three above are mainland licences, issued by the emirate's economic department.

Free zone

Free zone licences

Each free zone issues its own licences. These are the categories you will usually be choosing between — the exact names and permitted activities differ from zone to zone.

Trading

Commercial & general trading

Import, export, distribution and re-export. General trading covers a broader range of goods under one licence.

Service

Service & consultancy

Consulting, marketing, IT, accounting and professional services delivered from within the zone.

Industrial

Industrial & manufacturing

Light manufacturing, assembly and packaging, where the zone provides warehousing or industrial land.

E-commerce

E-commerce

Online retail and marketplace trading, with the payment-gateway and logistics permissions that go with it.

Freelance

Freelance permit

A single-practitioner licence for consultants, creatives and specialists working under their own name.

Holding

Holding company

For holding shares, property or intellectual property rather than trading directly.

Availability, minimum share capital, visa quota and office requirements vary by free zone. We match the zone to your activity rather than defaulting to the cheapest one.

Not sure whether mainland or a free zone fits your plan? Talk to an expert
04

The UAE company registration process

Each step depends on the one before it — which is why the order matters more than the speed.

  1. Choose your business activity

    Decide what the company will do, and identify the licence that follows from it.

  2. Reserve your company name

    Select a compliant name and obtain the required approval.

  3. Prepare your documents

    Passport copies, applications and supporting paperwork, assembled before submission.

  4. Arrange your office

    Premises or workspace matching your jurisdiction's requirements.

  5. Obtain the business licence

    Submit the application to the relevant authority and receive the licence.

  6. Open the bank account

    Corporate banking, with the documentation the bank will ask for prepared in advance.

  7. Process visas

    Investor, partner or employee visas, as the structure requires.

  8. Register for VAT

    Completed once the company meets the applicable turnover threshold.

Approval times depend on the business activity and the government authority involved. Timelines vary and are confirmed case by case — not quoted in advance.

Bring these

Documents you may need

  • Passport copies of shareholders and directors
  • Visa copies, where applicable
  • Business plan, if required
  • Memorandum of Association (MOA)
  • No Objection Certificate (NOC), if applicable
  • Emirates ID, where applicable

Requirements differ depending on your business activity, structure and chosen jurisdiction.

Beyond registration

More than company registration

  • Company registration
  • Documentation & translation
  • Sponsorship support
  • Accounting & taxation
  • Office space solutions
  • PRO & visa services

One business journey, multiple solutions — so you can focus on building the company while the setup runs alongside it.

Ready to start, or still weighing it up? Talk to an expert
05

Paperwork is our responsibility.

THAJ’s PRO services in the UAE cover government-related paperwork, visa coordination, trade licence renewals and company records. We prepare the documents and follow up on the administrative steps.

One point of contact. No chasing four departments to renew one licence.

Company documentation

Preparation and coordination of business documents, forms, agreements and supporting paperwork.

Licensing support

New licence applications, renewals, amendments and activity-related updates.

Visa & residency support

Investor, partner, employee and family visa processes — including renewals, amendments and cancellations.

Employee administration

Employment documentation, labour-related applications, card processing and employee record updates.

Attestation & legalisation

Coordination of document attestation, notarisation and the related formalities when required.

Legal translation

Clear translation of business and official documents, so paperwork is ready for submission.

Contract & agreement support

Preparation and coordination of company agreements, memoranda and related documentation.

Business amendments

Adding or removing activities, updating company information and making structural amendments.

Corporate bank account assistance

Support with the documentation for opening a UAE business bank account and responding to bank requests. Account approval, checks and processing times remain with the bank.

Document collection & delivery

Convenient handling of document collection, submission and return where applicable.

Tell us what is on your desk and we will take it off. Talk to an expert
06

VAT and corporate tax registration

Support for UAE VAT registration, VAT return filing and corporate tax registration. We review your company’s requirements and coordinate the paperwork, separately from the business setup process.

Corporate tax

Corporate tax registration

Registering your company with the Federal Tax Authority and obtaining your Corporate Tax Registration Number.

VAT

VAT registration

Assessing whether you have crossed the mandatory threshold, and registering you for VAT where you have — or voluntarily, where it helps.

VAT

VAT return filing

Preparing and submitting your periodic VAT returns on time, with the records kept in the form the authority expects.

Also handled

Around the filings

  • Corporate tax return preparation and filing
  • Tax de-registration when a company closes or restructures
  • Bookkeeping and records kept to FTA standards
  • Amendments to registered tax details
  • Guidance on which of your activities are taxable
Deadlines

Late registration carries penalties

Registration windows and filing dates depend on your licence issue date and your financial year. We work them out for your company and tell you the dates that actually apply to you.

Talk to an expert

Thresholds, rates and deadlines are set by the Federal Tax Authority and change from time to time. Your position is confirmed against current guidance before anything is filed.

07

How we make it easier

Understand the requirement, prepare the paperwork, coordinate the process, keep you informed. The same five moves on every file we open.

  1. Understand

    We identify what your business needs and organise the required steps in a simple way.

  2. Prepare

    We prepare the relevant forms, documents and supporting information before submission.

  3. Coordinate

    Our team runs the administrative process so you are not chasing multiple tasks yourself.

  4. Track

    We keep the process organised and monitor outstanding requirements, updates and renewals.

  5. Complete

    Once complete, the relevant documents and records are properly handed back to you.

Why us

Why businesses choose THAJ

  • One point of contact for recurring administrative work
  • Clear communication without unnecessary technical language
  • Practical support for both new and established businesses
  • Organised handling of documents and application requirements
  • Support designed around the actual needs of your company
  • Less time on paperwork, follow-ups and routine administration
Scope

PRO support that fits the business

Whether you are launching a new company, managing employees or keeping an established business up to date, we can take on as much or as little of the administrative side as you need.

Discuss your scope
08

Business setup and PRO FAQs

Practical answers about company formation in Dubai and the UAE, licensing, banking and ongoing administration.

What does THAJ help with when setting up a business?

The administrative steps of forming a company: choosing a suitable business activity, preparing documents, coordinating applications, and handling the required registrations and records.

How much does business setup in Dubai or the UAE cost?

The total depends on the licensing authority, business activity, company structure, workspace and visa requirements. Share your proposed activity and number of applicants so THAJ can prepare an itemised quotation for the relevant setup route. Compare what is included, not only an advertised starting price.

Should I choose mainland or free zone company formation?

Start with your planned activity, customers, office requirements and residency needs. The suitable structure depends on those details and the chosen licensing authority. Compare the company structures and trade licence options, then ask THAJ to review your proposed business.

Can THAJ help open a corporate bank account in the UAE?

We assist with preparing corporate banking documents and coordinating the application requirements. A company licence alone does not guarantee a bank account. Each bank makes its own decision after its checks. See our corporate bank account assistance.

Do you offer VAT and corporate tax registration services?

Yes. THAJ supports corporate tax registration, VAT registration and VAT return filing, with the scope confirmed for your business. These are separate services from company formation. Explore our tax and VAT support.

How do I choose the right business activity?

The right activity follows from what the company will actually do. We walk through the available options and identify the one that matches your planned operations — this determines your licence type, so it is worth getting right first.

Can THAJ help with company formation documents?

Yes. We coordinate and prepare the documents required for your setup and guide you through the paperwork from start to completion.

How long does business setup take?

It depends on the activity, the documentation, the approvals needed and the type of company. Once we understand your requirements we can set out the expected steps and a realistic timeline. Anyone quoting a fixed number before seeing your activity is guessing.

Can I change my business activity later?

In many cases activities can be amended or added, subject to the applicable requirements. We can coordinate the amendment process.

Can THAJ help with licence renewals?

Yes — renewal paperwork, document preparation and coordination, so your records stay current without you tracking the dates.

What are PRO services?

Administrative services covering routine government-related paperwork: applications, employee documentation, visa processes, renewals and other company formalities.

What visa services can THAJ assist with?

Depending on the circumstances: visa applications, renewals, amendments and cancellations for business owners, employees and eligible family members.

Can you help with employee documentation?

Yes. Employee-related paperwork and administrative processes, including documentation and updates required across the employment lifecycle.

Do you assist with document attestation and legalisation?

Yes — attestation, legalisation and related paperwork where required for business or personal applications.

Can you help with legal translation?

Yes. Translation support can be arranged for documents that must be submitted as part of business, visa or other formal processes.

Can THAJ handle the whole PRO process for my company?

We can coordinate multiple administrative requirements at once, reducing paperwork, follow-ups and unnecessary delays. The exact scope depends on what your company needs.

What do I need to start?

Basic information about you, your intended business activity, the company structure you want and the services you need. From there we set out the documents and next steps for your situation.

Can I speak to THAJ before deciding?

Yes. A consultation helps you understand the setup process, the documentation required and the administrative support available — before you commit to anything.

09

Business setup made simple

Tell us what the company will do. We will tell you the structure, the licence, the documents and the order they need to happen in.

PRO support made easier. Paperwork made someone else's job.

  • Mainland, free zone, branch and offshore
  • Commercial, professional and industrial licences
  • Ongoing PRO and visa administration
  • One point of contact for all of it

Service availability, processing requirements and timelines vary depending on the specific request and business circumstances.