ENRU
Talk to a manager

Setup Configurator

Plan your UAE setup —
explore the steps and costs

Company formation, residency, bank account, power of attorney and wills. Compare free zones or estimate a Dubai Mainland licence.

STEP 01What do you need?
STEP 02

Build your setup

Make the choices you already know. We can refine the rest together.

1 · Jurisdiction

2 · Business

What type of business are you setting up?

Not sure which activity fits? Search it on the Invest in Dubai activity portal – we confirm the exact code with DET.

3 · Office / Ejari

DET adds 5% of the annual rent stated in the Ejari to the licence voucher. The Ejari must be for at least one year.

4 · People

Partners

Partner visas are issued on the company's Establishment Card; the other partners keep their own UAE visa or stay abroad.

Employees

Every employee needs a MOHRE labour contract; a company visa is added only for those without their own UAE visa. Employees with their own UAE visa: 0

5 · Additional services

HOW IT WORKS

  1. Initial Approval – passports of the owners and the manager, plus Emirates ID or a selfie holding the passport
  2. Trade Name reservation – send us three name options; very short names and restricted words (e.g. government terms) are not accepted. Both certificates are valid for one month
  3. MOA – we prepare the draft for your review; all owners sign it at our office
  4. Ejari – minimum one year; we can arrange a business centre through a partner
  5. Trade Licence – DET issues the voucher; the licence is available right after payment

You pay each DET voucher directly online with the transaction number we send you. You can start from outside the UAE if you have a UAE entry record (Unified Number) or an Emirates ID.

WHAT WE WILL ASK YOU FOR

  • Three trade name options
  • Business activity (activity code)
  • Share capital – declared, not deposited
  • Partners and their shares (100% in total) – individuals or a company
  • A manager – an owner, a partner or a hired employee
  • A UAE mobile number and one email for the licence
  • Passports, and Emirates IDs if available

Consulting FAQ

Questions we hear every week

Short answers on companies, visas, banking and wills in the UAE. Your case may differ – ask us to check it.

01Mainland or free zone – which do I need?

Choose according to your activity, customers, premises and visa needs. Mainland and free zone licences have different operating conditions. Some eligible Dubai free zone companies can obtain a mainland operating permit; other activities may require a branch or other approvals. We check the activity and issuing authority before recommending a route.

02Can I own 100% of a mainland company?

Yes. Since 2021 foreigners can own 100% of a mainland company for most activities. A short list of strategic activities still needs a UAE partner; we check yours before you apply.

03Do I need to be in the UAE to open a company?

Not for most steps. Free zones handle almost everything online. For Mainland you can start from abroad if you have a UAE entry record (Unified Number) or an Emirates ID; the owners then sign the MOA at the office.

04How long does it take?

A free zone licence often takes about a week once the documents are ready. A Mainland licence usually takes 2-4 weeks: Initial Approval, Trade Name, MOA, Ejari and the licence itself.

05Do I have to deposit the share capital?

Usually not. The capital is declared in the MOA and does not have to be paid in. Some activities set a minimum: real estate brokerage, for example, needs AED 100,000 declared per partner.

06What about corporate tax?

Every company registers for corporate tax. Profit up to AED 375,000 is taxed at 0% and above it at 9%. A free zone company can pay 0% on qualifying income if it meets the free zone conditions. We don't file taxes ourselves – we introduce you to our tax partner.

07Can I add activities later?

Yes, through a licence amendment. Activities in one licence have to come from the same group, and some add a fee to the licence.

For partners

Your clients move to the UAE? — Work with us

Real estate agents, relocation and immigration consultants, lawyers, accountants and wealth advisers. You introduce the client, we set up the company, visa, bank account, power of attorney or will.

The client relationship stays yours. We agree the terms before the first case.

Become a partner

For real estate agencies

Book a setup briefing for your team

SHI—RE comes to your office and explains how your buyers can get residency, open a company and protect their property in the UAE. Free, about an hour, in English or Russian.

  • Golden Visa and investor visa through property
  • Company setup for investors and agents, including a brokerage licence
  • Bank accounts for buyers who are new to the UAE
  • Wills and powers of attorney for property owners
Book a briefing