Should I choose mainland or free zone?
Dubai Company Formation & Trade Licence Experts
Business Setup in Dubai Made Simple
Launch your mainland, free zone, or offshore company in Dubai with end-to-end support for trade licence issuance, investor visa, corporate bank account opening, VAT registration, UAE Corporate Tax, and ongoing compliance โ trusted by entrepreneurs and foreign investors.
- Mainland & Free Zone Company Formation
- Dubai Trade Licence & Investor Visa Support
- Bank Account, VAT & Corporate Tax Advisory
Free consultation provides initial guidance only. Timelines, government fees, and approvals depend on authority, bank, and document requirements. We do not guarantee trade licence, visa, or bank account approval.
Company Formation Roadmap
Dubai Business Setup
1Jurisdiction matched
2Trade licence activity aligned
3Investor visa plan ready
4VAT & compliance mapped
Mainland, free zone & offshore company formation
Trade licence, investor visa, bank account, VAT & UAE Corporate Tax โ one advisory team in Dubai.
500+
Companies Formed in UAE
15+
Years Dubai Experience
3
Setup Jurisdictions
24/7
Advisor Support
What Founders Search For
Dubai Business Setup Services We Help With
Whether you need a mainland trade licence, free zone company formation, investor visa, or UAE tax registration โ get expert guidance tailored to your business activity.
Common Questions
Starting a Business in Dubai? You Are Not Alone.
Foreign investors and entrepreneurs ask us about mainland vs free zone company setup, Dubai trade licence cost, investor visa eligibility, and corporate bank account opening โ before they register a company in the UAE.
Which business activity is correct for my plan?
Will my trade name get approved?
Am I eligible for investor or employment visas?
Do I need a physical office from day one?
How difficult is corporate bank account opening?
When should I register for VAT and Corporate Tax?
Company Formation Services
Dubai Business Setup & Trade Licence Services
End-to-end mainland company setup, free zone company formation, offshore registration, investor visa, bank account, and UAE tax compliance โ built for foreign investors and entrepreneurs.
Mainland Company Setup Dubai
Register your Dubai mainland company with the right trade licence, business activity, and authority approvals for UAE market access and local operations.
Free Zone Company Setup
Form your free zone company in Dubai or UAE โ IFZA, DMCC, Meydan, SHAMS & more โ matched to your trading, consulting, or e-commerce activity.
Offshore Company Formation
Set up an offshore company in the UAE for holding, international trade, or asset structuring with clear guidance on compliance and use cases.
Dubai Trade Licence Assistance
Get expert help choosing your licence type, commercial activity, trade name approval, and documentation for faster company registration in Dubai.
Investor & Employment Visa UAE
Plan Dubai investor visa eligibility, employment visa quota, dependants, and immigration steps after your company formation is complete.
Corporate Bank Account Opening
Prepare KYC files, business plans, and compliance profiles to strengthen your UAE corporate bank account application with local banks.
VAT & UAE Corporate Tax Registration
Understand when to register for VAT and UAE Corporate Tax, filing obligations, and how setup choices affect your tax position from day one.
Accounting & Bookkeeping UAE
Set up practical bookkeeping, reporting, and accounting systems for ongoing UAE compliance after your Dubai company is formed.
Decision Guide
Mainland vs Free Zone Comparison
A practical side-by-side view to help you choose the right jurisdiction for your Dubai business.
| Factor | Mainland | Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | UAE market access, government contracts, wider local operations | International trade, focused activities, faster setup in many cases |
| Ownership | 100% foreign ownership available for many activities | Typically 100% foreign ownership in designated zones |
| Office | Physical office or approved flexi-desk often required | Flexi-desk or office package usually included in setup |
| Visa | Visa quota linked to office space and licence type | Visa packages vary by free zone and licence package |
| Banking | Strong option for local operating accounts | Suitable for international and trading-focused banking profiles |
| Our recommendation | Choose when local market presence is your priority | Choose when speed, cost control, or trading focus matters most |
Best for
Mainland
UAE market access, government contracts, wider local operations
Free Zone
International trade, focused activities, faster setup in many cases
Ownership
Mainland
100% foreign ownership available for many activities
Free Zone
Typically 100% foreign ownership in designated zones
Office
Mainland
Physical office or approved flexi-desk often required
Free Zone
Flexi-desk or office package usually included in setup
Visa
Mainland
Visa quota linked to office space and licence type
Free Zone
Visa packages vary by free zone and licence package
Banking
Mainland
Strong option for local operating accounts
Free Zone
Suitable for international and trading-focused banking profiles
Our recommendation
Mainland
Choose when local market presence is your priority
Free Zone
Choose when speed, cost control, or trading focus matters most
How It Works
Your Dubai Setup Journey in 6 Steps
A clear, structured process from first call to post-licence compliance support.
- 1
Free Consultation
We review your business goals, activity, visa needs, and budget before recommending a path.
- 2
Jurisdiction Selection
We help you compare mainland, free zone, and offshore options with practical pros and cons.
- 3
Activity & Trade Name Approval
We guide activity selection and proposed name submissions to reduce rejection risk.
- 4
Document Preparation
We prepare and check shareholder, passport, and supporting documents for submission.
- 5
Licence Issuance
We coordinate authority submissions, approvals, and licence issuance steps.
- 6
Post-Licence Support
We assist with visas, bank account readiness, VAT, Corporate Tax, and accounting setup.
Preparation
Documents Required for Company Setup
Prepare these essentials early to avoid delays in your licence application.
Passport copy (valid for 6+ months)
Visa page / entry stamp (if applicable)
Emirates ID copy (if UAE resident)
Passport-size photograph
Proposed company names (2โ3 options)
Business activity and brief business plan
Residential and contact details
Existing company documents (if corporate shareholder)
Note: Exact documents may vary depending on licence type, activity, jurisdiction, and authority approval.
Packages
Choose the Right Setup Package
Flexible advisory packages designed for different stages of your Dubai business journey. Pricing depends on jurisdiction and requirements.
Starter Setup
For founders ready to launch with the essentials
- Jurisdiction and activity guidance
- Trade name and licence coordination
- Core document checklist support
- Setup roadmap and next-step advice
Growth Setup
For businesses planning visas and operational readiness
- Everything in Starter Setup
- Visa planning and quota guidance
- Bank account preparation support
- Office / flexi-desk advisory
Complete Compliance Setup
For founders who want setup plus tax and accounting foundations
- Everything in Growth Setup
- VAT registration advisory
- Corporate Tax registration guidance
- Bookkeeping and reporting setup support
Why KPM Global Services
Why Choose KPM Global Services
A consultancy approach built around clarity, compliance, and long-term business success in the UAE.
Setup with tax & accounting context
We guide licensing decisions with VAT, Corporate Tax, and bookkeeping implications in mind.
End-to-end support
From consultation to post-licence steps, you get one coordinated advisory journey.
Transparent documentation
Clear checklists, realistic timelines, and no confusing paperwork surprises.
Practical activity advice
We help you choose activities that align with banking, visa, and long-term operations.
Dubai-based consultancy
Local expertise from a team that understands UAE authorities, banks, and compliance.
Free Consultation
Get Your Dubai Company Formation Plan
Tell us about your business activity, mainland or free zone preference, and visa needs. Our Dubai setup advisors will contact you with a practical company registration roadmap.
FAQ
Dubai Business Setup FAQs
Answers about company formation cost, free zone vs mainland, 100% foreign ownership, trade licence timelines, investor visa, bank account, VAT, and UAE Corporate Tax.
Business setup cost in Dubai depends on jurisdiction (mainland vs free zone), licence type, visa package, office or flexi-desk, and government fees. KPM Global Services provides a transparent quote after a free consultation based on your activity, ownership structure, and visa needs.
Ready to Start Your Dubai Company Formation?
Speak with KPM Global Services for mainland or free zone business setup, trade licence guidance, and investor visa planning โ free consultation, no obligation.