Business Setup · Dubai
Turn your Dubai business plans into a clear next step
Whether you're based in the UAE, the wider GCC or abroad, we make Dubai company formation straightforward, one team for your company, residency visa and banking, guided end to end in plain terms.
Many of our property investors also set up a Dubai company or holding structure, we handle both.
General information, not tax or legal advice
Why Dubai for business
A commercial case that stacks up
The tax, ownership and location settings founders and investors rarely find at home, wherever you're based.
9% corporate tax
The UAE headline corporate-tax rate is 9%, with 0% available on qualifying free-zone income, well below many countries’ company rates, subject to eligibility.
0% personal income tax
The UAE levies no personal income tax on individuals, a materially different setting for founders drawing income. This does not determine your Australian tax obligations; Australian tax residents should seek independent advice.
100% foreign ownership
Mainland reforms now allow full foreign ownership across most activities, no local partner required in the common cases.
Infrastructure that works
Modern transport, connectivity and healthcare make Dubai a practical base to operate from.
Gateway location
A time-zone and travel bridge between Asia, Europe and Africa, convenient for globally minded founders and investors.
Fast, business-friendly setup
Streamlined licensing and a pro-business regulatory environment mean formation is typically measured in days, not months.
General information only, not tax, legal or financial advice. Corporate-tax, free-zone, visa and banking outcomes depend on your activity, eligibility and personal circumstances, and rules may change. Seek independent professional advice before acting.
Explore your options
Three ways to structure it
A general orientation to the common structures. Which one fits depends on your activity and goals. We confirm the right path in your consultation.
Free Zone
Best for service and online businesses
From
AED 12,500
Setup, indicative
Typical timeline
Often within a few days
- 100% foreign ownership
- 0% corporate tax on qualifying free-zone income, subject to eligibility
- Fast, streamlined setup
Mainland
Best for trading in the local market
From
AED 20,000
Setup, indicative
Typical timeline
Typically one to two weeks
- Trade freely across the UAE market
- Bid for government contracts
- 100% foreign ownership for most activities
Holding company
Best for owning assets and shares
From
AED 16,500
Setup, indicative
Typical timeline
Depends on activity and approvals
- Own property, shares or IP
- Consolidate investments in one structure
- Often used by property investors
Figures are indicative setup costs in UAE dirhams, in line with the estimator below, and exclude third-party government fees that vary by activity and eligibility. Estimate your setup cost.
Full-service support
One team, from formation to operations
Everything your Dubai company needs to be up and running, handled together, not scattered across separate advisers.
- Company registration & licensing
- Residency visa
- Corporate banking
- Bookkeeping & accounting
- Tax & VAT registration
- 01
Consultation
A free session to understand your activity, goals and the right structure.
- 02
Registration
We handle licensing and incorporation with the relevant authority.
- 03
Residency Visa
Your UAE residency visa processed alongside the company, subject to eligibility.
- 04
Banking
Introductions and support opening a corporate bank account.
- 05
SWIFT / Operations
International payments set up so you can operate from day one.
Setup cost estimator
A rough idea before we talk
Adjust the inputs for an indicative range. It uses a simple, transparent formula, your exact quote is confirmed in a free consultation.
0–5 visas
Indicative estimate
AUD 7,000–9,000
AED 17,000–AED 22,100 · indicative AUD conversion
Indicative only, your exact quote is confirmed in a free consultation. Figures are estimates in UAE dirhams (AED), not guarantees, and exclude third-party government fees that vary by activity and eligibility.
Get my proposalWhy us
Advisers who have done this before
Founder and investor setup, end to end
We guide founders and investors through Dubai company formation, licensing and residency, and point you to independent professional advice where tax or legal specifics matter.
Accelerated setup
A streamlined, checklist-driven process gets your licence, visa and banking moving in parallel rather than in sequence.
One team for property + company + visa
The same advisers who help international investors buy Dubai property handle your company and residency, a single point of contact.
Plain-terms, no-pressure guidance
We explain your options honestly and point you to independent professional advice where tax or legal specifics matter.
FAQ
Questions founders ask
Not necessarily. Many founders and investors set up and hold residency without relocating full-time, though a residency visa does carry entry requirements. We walk you through what your situation needs.
Prefer we call?
Prefer we call you back?
Leave your number and we'll call you back to talk through your Dubai setup, no obligation.
Ready when you are
Set up your Dubai company
Tell us about your plans and we'll prepare an indicative, no-obligation proposal for setting up your company in Dubai.