Free Zone Company Formation in Dubai

Set up your Dubai Free Zone company with full ownership, tax benefits, and a fast, seamless process. CorpWise’s service is designed for entrepreneurs ready to scale without limits.

  • 100% Foreign Ownership
  • Tax Exemptions
  • Simplified Company Setup
  • Full Repatriation of Capital & Profits
  • Dedicated Office & Flexi-Desk Options
  • Easy Visa & Immigration Processing
Official partners across 15+ UAE free zones

Free Zone fits when

✓ Your clients are mostly outside the UAE

Free zones are built for international and remote-first businesses. Selling onshore is restricted.

✓ You want full ownership, no local partner

100% foreign ownership is standard in all free zones. No sponsor arrangement needed.

✓ You need a licence fast with minimal paperwork

Most free zone licences issue in 1–10 working days. Fewer approvals than mainland.

✓ Your team is small, five people or fewer

Free zone packages bundle workspace and visas for small teams. Scales later if needed.

✓ A flexi-desk or virtual office is enough

No physical storefront, warehouse, or walk-in location required for your operations.

Wrong door?

Some setups don't work in a free zone.

If you need to invoice UAE mainland companies directly, open a physical shop or clinic, or just want a holding structure with no office, you need a different route.

Mainland Company
Onshore trading, retail, restaurants, hiring at scale
Offshore Company
Holding structure, IP protection, international invoicing only

Free Zone company formation packages

The Cost of Free Zone Company Formation in UAE

Free Zones remain one of Dubai’s most affordable, transparent, and startup-friendly pathways, giving entrepreneurs a cost-effective launch without compromising speed.

Dubai Free Zone Company Formation

Best for: Entrepreneurs and small teams who want a Dubai address with a flexible, straightforward formation path.

Starting from
AED 12,500

Final pricing depends on visa count, business activity, free zone authority, and any add-ons you require.

Get a Quote
Includes:
  • Business License
  • MOA & AOA
  • Incorporation Certificate
  • Flexi Desk
  • Dedicated support with WhatsApp updates

Sharjah Free Zone Company Formation

Best for: Founders seeking the lowest-cost entry setup without requiring immediate residency visas or employee allocations.

Starting from
AED 5,750

Final pricing depends on visa count, business activity, free zone authority, and any add-ons you require.

Get a Quote
Includes:
  • Business License
  • MOA & AOA
  • Incorporation Certificate
  • Flexi Desk
  • Dedicated support with WhatsApp updates

RAK Free Zone Company Formation (RAKEZ)

Best for: Entrepreneurs seeking a cost-efficient company setup that includes at least one residency visa allocation.

Starting from
AED 11,990

Final pricing depends on activity, visa count beyond the included allocation, and any add-ons you require.

Get a Quote
Includes:
  • Business License
  • MOA & AOA
  • Incorporation Certificate
  • Flexi Desk
  • Dedicated support with WhatsApp updates

Not sure which route fits?

Fill in the form bellow. We’ll reply with the recommended route and checklist.

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Instant estimate
Get an instant estimate for your Free Zone setup

Pick your activity and visa needs. You’ll see an estimate upfront, then you can request the detailed quote.

Get my estimate
Answer 7 quick questions

We recommend the best route and starting option based on your answers.

“Clear steps, transparent costs, one advisor owning the process.”

John smith
Director
Prefer WhatsApp?

Message us your activity and visa count. We’ll guide you to the right option.

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Steps to Set Up a Free Zone Company in the UAE

From choosing your activity to opening your bank account, here's the full process, step by step.

Step 1 | Choose your business activity

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Start by picking the activity that reflects what you’re here to build. This decides your license type and ensures you’re fully compliant from day one.

Step 2 | Select a free zone

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Each Free Zone has its own strengths — trade, tech, media, logistics, etc. Choose the one that matches your goals and gives your business the strongest foundation.  

View All Free Zones

Step 3 | Choose a legal structure

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Whether it’s an LLC, a Free Zone Establishment, or a foreign branch, your structure defines ownership, liability, and how much flexibility you have to grow.

Contact us

Step 4 | Reserve your company name

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Pick a name that represents your brand and follows UAE naming regulations. Once approved, it’s officially yours to build on.

Step 5 | Submit required documents

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Share your passport copies, address proof, business plan, and any Free Zone-specific forms. Clean paperwork means quicker approvals and a smoother setup.

Step 6 | Obtain initial approval

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The Free Zone authority reviews your application and gives the green light to confirm that your activity, structure, and plans all meet regulations.

Step 7 | Lease office or flexi-desk

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Choose the workspace that suits your needs - from affordable flexi desks to dedicated offices. This becomes your official business address.

Step 8 | Receive a business license

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Once issued, you’re legally ready to trade, operate, and start building your Free Zone business in the UAE.

Step 9 | Apply for visas

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Apply for residency visas for yourself, your team, or family members. The Free Zone helps streamline visa applications, medical tests, and Emirates ID processing.

Step 10 | Open a Corporate Bank Account

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With your license in hand, you can open a corporate bank account and start managing payments, contracts, and global transactions with ease.

COMPARE CORPWISE
What makes CorpWise the smarter choice for UAE company formation?
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Route fit check
Included
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Upfront cost drivers
Included
Add-on pricing
Dedicated case owner
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Multiple handoffs
Document checklist
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Renewals support
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PRO and compliance
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Document clearing
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Need help choosing the right route?
Send your activity and visa count, we’ll map the next steps.
Contact our team

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Free Zone setup in the UAE, including costs, visas, and timelines.

How long does it take to set up a Free Zone company in Dubai?

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Most Freezone setups are completed within 3 to 7 business days once all required documents and approvals are submitted. It’s a smooth, fast-track process, and if you’re in a hurry, several Free Zones even offer expedited, priority licensing to get you operational even sooner.

Can a foreigner fully own a Free Zone company in Dubai?

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Yes, and this is one of the biggest reasons entrepreneurs choose Free Zones. You get 100% foreign ownership, which means no local sponsor, no shared equity, and full control over your business and profits. Your company stays fully yours.

Can Free Zone companies operate outside the Free Zone in the UAE?

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 Yes, but with conditions. A Free Zone company can operate within its Free Zone and internationally without restrictions. However, if you want to trade directly in the UAE mainland, you’ll need additional approvals, a mainland distributor, or a mainland branch/company setup to stay compliant.

Do I need a physical office to register a Free Zone company?

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Not always. Most Free Zones offer a range of workspace options: flexi desks, virtual offices, shared spaces, or full private offices. The exact requirement depends on the license you choose and the Freezone’s rules, giving you the flexibility to start lean or scale as needed.

How much does it cost to set up a Free Zone company?

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Starting costs range from AED 5,750 (Sharjah free zones like SHAMS) to AED 34,500+ (premium zones like DMCC). The final price depends on the free zone, your business activity, visa count, and office selection. Use our instant estimate tool for a personalised figure, or message us on WhatsApp.

Do Free Zone companies pay corporate tax in the UAE?

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The UAE's 9% corporate tax applies to most businesses, including free zone companies. However, if your company qualifies as a Qualified Free Zone Person (QFZP), you can maintain 0% tax on qualifying income — such as revenue from other free zone entities or international clients. Non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%. Structuring this correctly from day one matters.

Can I change my business activity or free zone later?

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Yes, but it depends on the zone. Most free zones allow you to add or change activities by amending your licence. Moving your company to a different free zone requires deregistering and re-registering — which we can manage. If your business has outgrown the free zone model entirely, we can help you transition to a mainland structure.

How many visas can I get with a Free Zone company?

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It depends on the zone and your office type. A flexi desk typically allows 1–3 visas. A dedicated office supports 3–10+. Larger facilities can go higher. Some zones like RAKEZ include a visa in the base package. Others like SHAMS start at zero and let you add visas as needed. We'll confirm your allocation before you commit to anything.

Can I open a bank account with a Free Zone licence?

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Yes. Your free zone licence qualifies you to apply for a corporate bank account in the UAE. You'll need your licence, incorporation certificate, MOA, passport copies, and proof of address. Approval timelines vary by bank — some take days, others weeks. We prepare your documents and guide you through the application so nothing delays the process.

How do I renew my Free Zone licence?

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Licences are valid for one year. Missing the renewal deadline can freeze your visa, bank access, and operations. Renewal costs are typically similar to year one. We track your deadline, handle the paperwork, and make sure nothing lapses. You don't need to remember — we do.

GO DEEPER

Free Zone guides and resources

The details behind the decisions. Read before you commit, or after you've already started.

25.02.2026
Company Formation Guides

Free Zone Comparison: Which Zone Fits Your Business?

Side-by-side comparison of cost, visa quotas, timelines, and best-fit use cases across 10+ zones.

Read article
19.02.2026
Company Formation Guides

Corporate Tax and Free Zones: What QFZP Means for You

How the 9% tax works, what qualifies for 0%, and how to structure your setup correctly from day one.

Read article
18.02.2026
Company Formation Guides

UAE Visa Options for Free Zone Business Owners

Residence visas, family sponsorship, Golden Visa eligibility, and the full application process.

Read article
17.02.2026
Company Formation Guides

Free Zone Licence Types Explained

Commercial, professional, industrial, e-commerce, and freelance, what each covers and when you need which.

Read article
10.02.2026
Company Formation Guides

Benefits of Free Zone Company Formation in Dubai

Full breakdown of ownership, tax, repatriation, and operational advantages, and where the limits are.

Read article
03.02.2026
Company Formation Guides

Free Zone vs Mainland vs Offshore: How to Choose

Three routes, different trade-offs. A clear framework to help you pick the right one.

Read article
Visit the Blog

Your Free Zone company is closer than you think.

Tell us your business activity and how many visas you need. We'll come back with the right zone, a clear cost breakdown, and the steps to get started.