Company setup · Dubai and the UAE
UAE company setup, led by a partner.
Company setup in Dubai and across the UAE, from the first consultation to an operating company. VIVOS Corporate Services L.L.C. advises founders, investors and international groups on the right jurisdiction, activity and structure, for a fixed fee agreed upfront.
Partner-led · Fixed fees agreed upfront · Business Bay, Dubai
The essentials, before you start
Your adviser
A partner, from first consultation to operating company
Structure
Mainland or free zone, chosen by activity, target market and ownership
Foreign ownership
Up to 100% for most activities, on the mainland and in free zones
Our recommendation
Written and partner-reviewed, with the reasoning behind every choice
Fees
A fixed fee, agreed before any work begins
What we cover
How we help
Every decision that shapes your UAE company, handled by one team.
Business activity
The precise activity for what the company will do, so banking, contracts and tax all line up.
Mainland or free zone
A side-by-side comparison of where you can trade, the total cost and how profit is taxed.
Jurisdiction
The free zone or emirate best suited to your sector, budget and growth plans.
Corporate structure
Shareholding, holding companies, subsidiaries and branches of foreign companies.
Corporate documents
Memorandum of association, board resolutions and parent company documents, checked line by line.
Office solutions
From flexi-desks to dedicated offices, matched to your structure.
After set-up
Corporate secretarial, compliance, accounting and tax support, so the company stays in good standing.
Choosing a structure
Mainland or free zone: which structure fits?
The structure decides where the company can sell and how its profit is taxed. Most new UAE businesses compare these two.
Mainland LLC
Ownership
1 to 50 shareholders; up to 100% foreign for most activities
Where it can trade
Anywhere in the UAE and abroad
Corporate tax position
0% up to AED 375,000 of taxable income, 9% above; Small Business Relief for revenue of AED 3m or less
Free zone company
Ownership
Up to 100% foreign
Where it can trade
Within its zone and outside the UAE
Corporate tax position
0% on qualifying income if it meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions; otherwise 0% and 9%
Expanding an overseas company? It can also open a branch, either on the mainland or in a free zone. The branch is wholly owned by its parent, carries out the activities permitted on its licence and is taxed on the profit attributable to it.
The process
How it works
01
Consultation
A partner learns what the business will do, who will own it and who it will sell to.
02
Written recommendation
Structure, jurisdiction and activity, with a timeline and a fixed-fee quote.
03
Set-up
We prepare every document and manage the process end to end, with one point of contact.
04
Ongoing support
Corporate secretarial, accounting and tax once you are operating.
Why VIVOS
Partner-led, from first call to final document
We take the time to understand your business model, check every detail and recommend the structure that fits, never a standard package.
Local team, regional group
A Dubai team in Business Bay, part of the VIVOS Group across Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and the UAE.
Fixed fees
Fixed fees agreed upfront, with no surprises.
One firm, end to end
One firm for set-up, corporate secretarial, accounting and tax, so nothing falls between providers.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Anything else you would like to know? A partner will answer directly.
What is the difference between a mainland and a free zone company?
A mainland company can trade anywhere in the UAE and abroad. A free zone company trades within its zone and internationally, and may pay 0% corporate tax on qualifying income. The right choice depends on where your customers are.
How long does company set-up take?
It depends on the jurisdiction, activity and any premises required. Some set-ups take days, others a few weeks. Your written recommendation confirms a realistic timeline.
Can you help an existing foreign company expand into the UAE?
Yes. We advise overseas groups on whether a branch or a subsidiary, on the mainland or in a free zone, best suits their plans, and prepare the corporate documents required from the parent company.
How much does company set-up cost?
It depends on the jurisdiction, activity, office and number of shareholders. After the consultation we provide a written fixed-fee quote, so you know the full cost before any work begins.
Get in touch
Request a consultation
Tell us briefly about your business and what you need. A partner will review your enquiry and reply with next steps and a fixed-fee quote for your company set-up.
Prefer to speak to us directly?
Phone and WhatsApp
Office
Unit 415, Churchill Executive Tower, Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Hours
Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00
