What documents do you need for a UAE free-zone company?
Every figure here is the published 2026 scenario — government/authority fee, our setup service and the residence-visa block — confirmed in writing, with no sales call. See the full Cost Index or the open price dataset (CC-BY).
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Why the document list is short: what the published scenario already covers
The formation paperwork itself is prepared by Formenzo as part of the setup service built into every published scenario figure — from AED 4,888 at Ajman NuVentures to AED 35,484 at DMCC. You supply the passport scan, photo, name choices and activity; the application forms, establishment card and visa filings are drafted and submitted for you, which is why the list above stops at a handful of items.
Who typically needs extra documents
Three situations add to the basic set: founders using a corporate shareholder (the parent company's licence and incorporation papers, usually attested), founders already inside the UAE on another visa (the current visa or entry-stamp page), and founders in regulated activities such as health or education consultancy, where a zone may ask for CVs or qualification certificates.
Two things founders ask
Do the documents need notarising or attesting? For an individual shareholder, a clear passport copy is normally accepted as-is; attestation usually only enters the picture for corporate shareholders' papers.
Will the same set open a bank account? No — banks run their own checks and typically add proof of address, a short business description and sometimes statements, so keep those ready once the licence issues.