01
Structure
We choose jurisdiction (Mainland / Free Zone) and licence type.
Setting up business
in Dubai
We register Mainland and Free Zone companies
How we register a business
02
Documents
We prepare AOA, MOA and translations.
03
Registration
We file documents to DED or the Free Zone Authority.
04
Aftercare
We open a bank account, help with office and visa.
05
Receive the licence
Once documents are filed and approved, the company is added to the register and the owner is issued an operating licence.
06
Open a corporate account
The licence lets you open a bank account and issue work visas for staff.
Why starting a business with Homeliga is convenient and safe
Consultations on jurisdiction
We explain how Free Zone differs from Mainland and which option is the most beneficial for you.
Support with authorities
We know how to speed up the process and avoid mistakes.
All-in-one approach
From company registration to opening a bank account.
Russian-speaking client support
We accompany every step in your native language.
Company Registration in the UAE: How to Open a Firm in Dubai in 2026
If you're planning to open a business in Dubai, it's important to understand how the UAE company registration system works and why this jurisdiction remains one of the most attractive for international entrepreneurship.
Advantages of Opening a Company in the UAE
One of the main advantages is the possibility of full foreign ownership of the business. In most industries, entrepreneurs can register a company in the UAE with 100% foreign participation without involving a local partner. This applies to both new companies and branches of foreign organizations.
The second important advantage is the choice of jurisdiction. Entrepreneurs can operate:
on the UAE mainland;
in free economic zones;
through offshore structures.
Free economic zones offer additional benefits:
free movement of capital;
no restrictions on international transfers;
preferential customs conditions;
simplified business administration.
Another plus is a wide choice of activities. More than 2,000 types of licensed activities are available in the UAE: from IT, consulting and marketing to logistics, trade, manufacturing and tourism. Companies can obtain commercial, professional, industrial, tourist and other types of licenses.
The high level of digitalization deserves special attention. In many cases, you can submit documents and obtain a license entirely online. Registering a business in Dubai has long ceased to be a complex bureaucratic process - most operations are available through government digital platforms and mobile services.
Types of companies in the UAE
Entrepreneurs have three main models: a local company, a free trade zone, and an offshore business. There are also business branches.
| Local company (mainland) | Company in a free trade zone (free zone) | Offshore business | Branch of an existing business |
| Needed by those who want to fully operate in the domestic market of the UAE | For those who value flexible infrastructure, international trade, a service model, and often an easier launch | Suitable for registration companies, but the business will be conducted outside of Dubai. | For an existing business that wants to enter the UAE without creating a new structure. |
It is worth clarifying the popular requests for opening an individual entrepreneur in Dubai separately. There is no exact analogue of the Russian individual entrepreneur in the Emirati law. However, in practice, in the UAE, there is a solo entrepreneurship or freelance format, depending on the type of activity and the chosen zone.
Sole Establishment also requires a license. However, the entrepreneur cannot engage in trade, import, or export. This format only allows for the provision of services.
Freelancers also need to obtain a license. Typically, it allows them to conduct activities in two related areas and provide services in their own name. Licenses are issued within the framework of free economic zones, where they are allowed to carry out activities.
Can a non-resident open a company in Dubai?
Formally, foreign investors can establish and fully own companies in the UAE. However, in practice, it is necessary to take into account a number of factors: whether an office will be required, whether resident visas and Emirates ID are required, how many employees are planned to be hired and how banking services will be organized.
That is why opening a company in the UAE without obtaining residency status usually turns out to be limited in terms of fully-fledged business.
Tax advantages
The UAE remains one of the most attractive jurisdictions from a tax perspective. The country has no personal income tax, and the standard VAT rate is only 5%. For businesses, this means a relatively low tax burden, and for residents - a comfortable personal tax environment.
An additional advantage is the UAE's international agreements on the avoidance of double taxation and investment protection. They help reduce tax risks, simplify international settlements, and ensure the free transfer of profits in convertible currency.
It is important to take into account one legal nuance: a company is recognized as a tax resident of the UAE if it is registered in accordance with the country's laws. However, to obtain a tax residency certificate, the business must exist for at least 12 months.
Relocation of an existing business to the UAE
If a company already operates outside the UAE, relocation most often occurs through the creation of a subsidiary. An application to the UAE Ministry of Economy can be submitted within
