Business Setup Support in UAE

Business setup costs vary depending on your chosen structure (Mainland, Free Zone, or Offshore), business activity, number of visas required, and office type. JSK & JYMMA offers a free consultation to walk you through all expected costs — government fees, licence fees, and visa charges — with no hidden surprises. Contact us at info@jymma.com or call +971-55-7369489 to get started.

The timeline depends on your chosen jurisdiction and business activity. Free Zone setups can typically be completed within 2–7 working days. Mainland licences may take 2–4 weeks depending on the activity and approvals required. When including visa issuance and bank account opening, the full process can take 4–8 weeks.

A professional consultant saves you time, reduces risk, and ensures your business is structured correctly from day one. JSK & JYMMA assists with drafting your Memorandum of Association (MOA), navigating government documentation, selecting the right jurisdiction, obtaining approvals, and staying compliant with UAE regulations — so you can focus on running your business.

Yes. Following reforms to UAE commercial law, foreign nationals can now own 100% of their business across Mainland, Free Zone, and Offshore structures. However, certain restricted activities may still require a UAE national shareholder or service agent. Our team will advise you based on your specific business activity.

Dubai offers strong opportunities across many sectors. Currently in-demand industries include general and specialised trading, e-commerce, IT consultancy, management consultancy, real estate, food & beverage, healthcare, logistics, and professional services. Our consultants will help you identify the best activity and licence type for your goals.

Yes, in many cases. Several Free Zone and Offshore setups can be completed remotely with documents couriered or submitted digitally. Some Mainland structures may require the physical presence of directors or shareholders for specific steps. JSK & JYMMA will guide you on what is required for your specific setup.

The three main licence types in Dubai are: Commercial (for trading, import/export, and retail), Professional (for service providers, consultants, and freelancers), and Industrial (for manufacturing and production businesses). The right licence depends on your activity, and our team will confirm the correct category for you.

A Mainland company (also known as an onshore company) is licensed by the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED). It can trade freely across all of the UAE — with local businesses, government entities, and consumers — and can also export internationally. There are no restrictions on where the business can operate within the UAE.

Yes. Following amendments to the UAE Commercial Companies Law, foreign investors can now own 100% of a Mainland company in Dubai across most business activities, without requiring a local UAE national as a partner. Certain restricted activities may still require a local shareholder or service agent — we'll confirm what applies to your specific activity.

The process involves selecting your business activity, choosing a company structure (LLC, Sole Establishment, Branch, etc.), getting your trade name approved, preparing documentation, obtaining a Memorandum of Association (MOA), and submitting to the DED for licence issuance. JSK & JYMMA handles the entire process on your behalf — including immigration card and visa applications.

Once all documentation is in order and verified by the relevant authorities, your Mainland trade licence can typically be issued within 2–5 working days. Activities requiring additional government approvals (healthcare, education, food, etc.) may take longer.

Standard documents required include: passport copies of all shareholders and directors, passport-size photographs, UAE visa copy or entry stamp (if applicable), proposed company names (3 options), and business activity details. Additional documents such as MOA, NOC letters, or professional qualification certificates may be required depending on your activity.

Key advantages include: unrestricted trading across all of the UAE, ability to work with government entities and local businesses, no limit on visa allocations (subject to office size), freedom to open office space anywhere in Dubai, broader range of business activities, and eligibility for government tenders and contracts.

Not in most cases. The UAE's updated commercial law allows 100% foreign ownership for the majority of business activities. However, for a small number of restricted activities, a UAE national service agent or shareholder is still required. JSK & JYMMA can clarify this for your specific activity and help you find the right arrangement if needed.

Yes. If your business has grown beyond Free Zone limitations or you need to trade directly in the UAE mainland market, converting to a Mainland licence is possible. The process involves cancelling your Free Zone licence and applying for a new Mainland one. JSK & JYMMA can guide you through this transition smoothly.

A Free Zone is a designated area in the UAE where foreign companies can establish operations with special benefits — including 100% foreign ownership, tax exemptions, customs duty advantages, and simplified regulatory processes. The UAE has over 40 Free Zones, each catering to specific industries such as technology, media, trading, healthcare, and logistics.

Most Free Zones offer Commercial, Professional, and Industrial licences. Some specialised zones also provide media licences, e-commerce licences, and technology licences. The type of licence available depends on the Free Zone you choose and your business activity.

Yes. Most Free Zones offer flexible workspace options to suit different budgets and needs — including fully furnished private offices, shared workspaces, flexi-desks, and virtual office arrangements. JSK & JYMMA can advise on the most cost-effective option for your business.

Costs vary across Free Zones. Some of the more affordable options include IFZA, Meydan, and SHAMS (Sharjah). Annual Free Zone licence costs generally range from AED 10,000 to AED 50,000 depending on the zone, activity, and package selected. JSK & JYMMA will recommend the best value zone for your specific needs.

Qualifying Free Zone entities may benefit from a 0% Corporate Tax rate on their qualifying income under the UAE Corporate Tax law. However, businesses must meet specific substance requirements and income conditions to qualify. Standard UAE VAT (5%) still applies to most goods and services within Free Zones. Our tax advisors can assess your eligibility.

The process generally involves: choosing your legal structure and business name, selecting the appropriate Free Zone based on your activity, submitting your application and documents, choosing your office type, and obtaining approvals and licence issuance. JSK & JYMMA manages this entire process for you from start to finish.

Free Zone setup packages typically start from AED 12,500 onwards, depending on the zone, chosen package, number of visas, and office arrangement. Contact JSK & JYMMA for a tailored cost breakdown with no hidden fees.

Most Free Zone companies can be incorporated within 1–2 weeks, depending on the zone and the nature of your business activity. Some zones offer same-day or 48-hour licence issuance for straightforward applications.

Not directly. Free Zone companies are restricted from conducting business within the UAE mainland without either appointing a licensed local distributor or establishing a separate Mainland branch. If your target market is primarily within the UAE, a Mainland licence may be more suitable. JSK & JYMMA will help you choose the right structure.

The best Free Zone depends on several factors: your business activity, number of visas required, office space needs, proximity to clients or logistics hubs, and budget. JSK & JYMMA will assess your requirements and recommend the most suitable Free Zone — whether that's IFZA, DMCC, Meydan, DAFZA, RAKEZ, or another option.

An Offshore company in the UAE is a legal entity incorporated in a jurisdiction outside of where the company's primary operations occur. It is designed for international trading, asset holding, investment structuring, and wealth protection — and does not require a physical office presence in the UAE. Popular UAE offshore jurisdictions include RAK ICC and JAFZA Offshore.

Key benefits include: 100% foreign ownership, strong asset and privacy protection, reduced tax exposure, flexible international banking access, protection against litigation, ease of operation, and confidentiality of shareholder information. Offshore companies are particularly suited to holding investments, owning intellectual property, or facilitating cross-border trade.

Yes, absolutely. When established and operated in compliance with UAE and international regulations, offshore company formation is fully legal. It is a legitimate and widely used business structure for asset protection, international trade, and investment holding. JSK & JYMMA ensures all offshore setups are fully compliant with applicable laws.

No. UAE Offshore companies do not provide the ability to sponsor UAE residency visas. This is one of the key differences between an Offshore company and a Mainland or Free Zone entity. If UAE residency is a requirement, a Mainland or Free Zone setup would be more appropriate.

A Free Zone company can operate within the UAE (within its zone), sponsor employee visas, and maintain a physical office. An Offshore company is designed for international operations only — it cannot trade within the UAE, cannot sponsor visas, and does not require a physical office. Offshore companies offer greater privacy and are typically more cost-effective for holding structures.

The two main UAE offshore jurisdictions are RAK ICC (Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre) and JAFZA Offshore (Jebel Ali Free Zone). RAK ICC is generally more cost-effective and popular for international holding structures. JAFZA Offshore is unique in that it is the only UAE offshore company permitted to legally own property in Dubai.

The process involves: selecting your offshore jurisdiction (RAK ICC or JAFZA), choosing a company name and legal structure, submitting your application with required documents, drafting the Memorandum and Articles of Association (MOA & AOA), and opening an international corporate bank account. JSK & JYMMA manages the entire process on your behalf.

Offshore company setup costs vary depending on the jurisdiction (RAK ICC or JAFZA), number of shareholders/directors, and additional services required. Contact JSK & JYMMA for a personalised cost breakdown — we offer transparent, all-inclusive pricing with no hidden fees.

No. UAE Offshore companies are not eligible for VAT registration because they do not conduct business within the UAE. As they operate exclusively for international business, UAE VAT regulations do not apply to their activities.