The process - From idea to UAE company, explained.
UAE has 1.4 million registered companies and adds roughly 250,000 new businesses every year (source: UAE Government Portal). Here's exactly how we move you from signup to a running company — license, visa, Emirates ID, and a working UAE bank account — in 3 to 4 weeks.
60 seconds · Free
Free assessment
Seven quick questions. Nationality. Business activity. Visa needs. Preferred emirate. Budget. Banking requirements. Language.
Our recommender maps your answers against 8 Free Zones (IFZA, Meydan, DMCC, RAKEZ, ADGM, SHAMS, DAFZA, Ajman) and 6 Mainland DEDs (Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, RAK, Ajman, Fujairah). We factor your nationality's banking history, your activity's licensing requirements, and your visa quota needs.
You receive a custom PDF report with: recommended Free Zone + 2 alternatives, full AED cost breakdown, 3-week timeline, document checklist, and nationality-specific KYC notes.
What we analyze in this phase
- 8 Free Zones compared
- 36 business activities
- 17 nationality KYC profiles
- Banking compatibility match
- Visa quota calculation
- Budget optimization
- VARA eligibility (if crypto)
Days 1–7 · Free Zone or Mainland
Trade license issued
For Free Zone (IFZA, Meydan, RAKEZ, DMCC, SHAMS, DAFZA, ADGM, Ajman FZ): we file directly as channel partner. No middlemen, no delays.
Day 1: Initial approval submitted to Free Zone authority. Day 2: Approval received (NOC issued if you're on a UAE visa). Day 3: MOA (Memorandum of Association) + Lease agreement signed digitally. Day 5: Trade license issued. Day 7: Establishment Card from Free Zone Immigration.
For Mainland (Dubai DED, Sharjah SEDD, Abu Dhabi DED): timeline is 10 to 14 days because Ejari registration requires a physical office lease. 100% foreign ownership has been allowed in Mainland since June 2021 for most activities (exceptions apply to strategic sectors). Source: UAE Ministry of Economy.
Documents issued in this phase
- Trade license (1 year)
- MOA / Articles of Association
- Flexi-desk / office lease
- Establishment Card (Immigration)
- Chamber of Commerce cert
- Business activity list
Days 8–17 · 6 sub-stages
Residence visa + Emirates ID
With the Establishment Card active, we apply for residence visas. Each visa goes through 6 sub-stages, all tracked live in your portal with WhatsApp updates. Typical UAE residence visas are valid for 2 years (Free Zone) or 3 years (Mainland employment).
Day 8: Entry permit (pink visa) issued by Free Zone Immigration. Allows UAE entry on residency basis for 60 days.
Day 9: Status change (if already in UAE on visit visa, no need to exit). Processed by GDRFA.
Day 10: Medical fitness test at DHA-approved center (blood test + chest X-ray: HIV, Hepatitis, Syphilis, TB screening).
Day 11: Emirates ID biometrics at ICA typing center (fingerprints, photo, signature).
Day 14: Residence visa stamped in passport.
Day 17: Emirates ID card delivered.
Golden Visa option (10-year): Available for investors (AED 2M+ property or AED 2M+ fund), entrepreneurs, skilled professionals earning AED 50k+/month. Formenzo handles Golden Visa applications for eligible clients as an add-on.
Visa sub-stages (tracked live)
- Entry permit
- Status change
- Medical fitness test
- Emirates ID biometrics
- Visa stamping
- EID card delivery
Days 14–28 · 94% approval rate
Corporate bank account
We coordinate with WIO Bank (digital-first, 14 days avg), Mashreq NeoBiz (18 days), Emirates NBD (21 days), RAKBANK (20 days), ADCB (21 days), and HSBC (DMCC-only, 14 days).
Approval rate: 94% with our full KYC pack (passport, Emirates ID, trade license, business plan, 6-month origin-country bank statements, source-of-funds declaration, nationality-specific extras).
Russian, Iranian, Pakistani passports face enhanced due diligence per UAE Central Bank AML rules (effective 2022+). We prepare the additional documentation and coordinate with bank compliance officers directly.
Banking partners (all direct relationships)
- WIO Bank
- Mashreq NeoBiz
- Emirates NBD
- RAKBANK
- ADCB
- FAB (Abu Dhabi)
- HSBC (DMCC)
Track record at a glance
- UAE companies formed since 2015
- 500+
- Fastest Free Zone setup
- 5 days
- Bank approval rate
- 94%
- Founder nationalities served
- 30+
After formation - The compliance calendar you'll actually follow.
UAE introduced 9% Corporate Tax (effective June 2023) on profits above AED 375,000, alongside existing 5% VAT, ESR, and UBO regulations. Miss a filing and you're looking at AED 10,000–50,000 in penalties. We handle all of it.
- License renewal — annual. Automatic 90/60/30-day reminders. License renewed before expiry. Late renewal triggers AED 200/month penalty plus potential visa cancellation.
- Visa renewal — every 2 years. Same medical + EID flow. We book all appointments and coordinate stamping. AED 3,500/visa.
- VAT returns — quarterly. Mandatory for revenue above AED 375,000. Filed with FTA online. Penalty for late filing: AED 1,000 (first) or AED 2,000 (repeat).
- Corporate Tax — annual. 9% on profits above AED 375,000. First return due within 9 months of tax period end. Free Zone companies with qualifying income remain at 0%.
- ESR — annual notification. Economic Substance Regulations apply to certain activities (banking, insurance, IP, investment fund, etc.). Notification due within 6 months of year-end.
- UBO — within 15 days of change. Ultimate Beneficial Owner register maintained and updated with Free Zone / DED. Non-compliance: AED 50,000 penalty.
Government authorities we work with - 12 touchpoints, all handled.
UAE company formation touches 10+ government bodies. Traditional consultants visit each one manually. We've built direct relationships with the ones that matter, and we file electronically where APIs exist.
Free Zone authorities
License, lease, MOA
Dubai DED / SEDD
Mainland licenses
GDRFA
Immigration, visa stamping
ICA
Emirates ID issuance
DHA / SEHA
Medical fitness tests
FTA
VAT + Corporate Tax
MOHRE
Labor cards, WPS
Ministry of Finance
ESR notifications
Central Bank of UAE
Banking AML compliance
Tasheel / Amer
Typing centers
Chamber of Commerce
Membership, attestation
VARA (Dubai)
Crypto/Web3 licensing
See your 3-week plan, in 60 seconds.
Take our free assessment. We'll map out your Free Zone recommendation, exact AED total, and week-by-week timeline.