UAE company setup for US founders — real all-in cost, no sales calls
American entrepreneurs and remote founders use a UAE free zone for 100% ownership, 0% UAE personal income tax and a credible base between Europe and Asia. Formenzo gives you the honest all-in price for every free zone — and we’re upfront that US persons still report worldwide income to the IRS.
Why US founders choose the UAE
For a US founder, the UAE is an efficient place to hold a 100%-owned international company with strong banking and a global travel hub.
Full ownership
Own your UAE free-zone company outright — no local partner. Profits and capital are yours.
No UAE income tax
The UAE charges 0% personal income tax; corporate tax is 9% only above AED 375,000, with free-zone relief.
A global hub
English-friendly, common-law free zones (DIFC, ADGM) and direct flights to the US, Europe and Asia.
Residence visa
Your company sponsors your residence visa and your family’s — a credible second base.
What it costs — one honest, all-in number
No “from AED X” teasers. Every Formenzo price already includes the free-zone authority fee, our service fee and the full visa block. We confirm it in writing before any filing and lock it for 14 days.
Live prices, updated from our database. See your exact figure by visa count in the calculator.
How a US founder registers a UAE company
Compare and pick your free zone
Use the calculator to see the all-in cost for your activity and visas — trading, e-commerce, consulting or holding.
Start online from the USA
Send your passport copy and proposed company names. We file the licence — no cold calls, ever. Track everything in a secure portal.
Licence issued in days
Your free-zone licence is typically issued in 3–8 working days. We then process your establishment card and residence visa.
Visa, Emirates ID & bank account
A short UAE visit completes your medical and Emirates ID. We prepare your file and introduce you to suitable banks.
UAE company formation for US founders — what to know
US entrepreneurs looking at UAE company setup are usually weighing a free zone against the mainland. For most — in consulting, digital, e-commerce and holding structures — a free zone fits best: 100% ownership, a clean all-in cost, and a straightforward residence visa.
The decisions are which free zone, how many visas, and your activity — which our cost calculator makes transparent. After the licence, the practical next steps are your UAE corporate bank account and residence visa; if you’re moving funds from the US, read our guide on source-of-funds evidence.
Important for US citizens and green-card holders: the United States taxes its citizens and residents on worldwide income regardless of where they live, with FBAR and FATCA reporting on foreign accounts and companies. A UAE company does not remove your US tax and filing obligations. Formenzo is not a tax or legal adviser — please confirm your position with a US CPA before you proceed.
Questions US founders ask
Can a US citizen own 100% of a UAE company?
Yes. In a UAE free zone a US founder owns 100% — no local partner or sponsor. Ownership, profits and capital are fully yours.
How much does UAE company setup cost for a US founder?
Real all-in prices start from AED 4,888 (about $1,330) for a licence-only setup, rising by visa count — one all-in figure per free zone, with no hidden charges.
Do US citizens still pay US tax with a UAE company?
Yes. The US taxes citizens and green-card holders on worldwide income wherever they live, with FBAR/FATCA reporting. The UAE’s 0% personal income tax does not change your US obligations — confirm with a US CPA.
Do I have to travel from the US to register?
The licence is issued remotely. A short visit is usually only needed for the medical and Emirates ID if you take a residence visa.
See your exact UAE setup cost from the USA
Pick your free zone and visas, get the honest all-in price, and start online — no call required.
Open the cost calculator →US tax on a UAE free-zone company (what American owners must know)
Can a US citizen own a UAE free zone company? Yes — a US citizen owns 100% of a UAE free-zone company, with no Emirati partner or sponsor, in every UAE free zone.
Your UAE company is a Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC). A UAE free-zone company wholly owned by a US citizen is generally a Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) under IRC §957, so you typically file Form 5471 with your US return each year and must consider GILTI and Subpart F income.
Foreign accounts: US owners also file the FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) and FATCA (Form 8938). The UAE’s 9% corporate tax can generally be claimed as a US Foreign Tax Credit, and a Qualifying Free Zone Person may keep 0% on qualifying income — but your US filing obligations continue regardless.
Formenzo is not a tax adviser — confirm your CFC, Form 5471 and GILTI position with a US CPA. We’re the only UAE comparison that pairs this reality with a verified all-in price from AED 4,888 and no sales call.
Set up clean — get the all-in cost in writing
Send your name and WhatsApp or email — we reply with the exact all-in figure for your setup, locked 14 days in writing. No calls, ever.