{"id":326,"date":"2026-10-26T07:42:20","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T07:42:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vivosgroup.com\/ae\/?page_id=326"},"modified":"2026-10-28T11:27:07","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T11:27:07","slug":"company-setup-advisory","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vivosgroup.com\/ae\/company-setup-advisory\/","title":{"rendered":"UAE Company Setup Advisory: Mainland and Free Zone"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Company setup \u00b7 Dubai and the UAE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UAE company setup, led by a partner.<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Request a consultation<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
WhatsApp us<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Partner-led \u00a0\u00b7\u00a0 Fixed fees agreed upfront \u00a0\u00b7\u00a0 Business Bay, Dubai<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The essentials, before you start<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Your adviser<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A partner, from first consultation to operating company<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Structure<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mainland or free zone, chosen by activity, target market and ownership<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Foreign ownership<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up to 100% for most activities, on the mainland and in free zones<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Our recommendation<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written and partner-reviewed, with the reasoning behind every choice<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fees<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A fixed fee, agreed before any work begins<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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What we cover<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How we help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every decision that shapes your UAE company, handled by one team.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Business activity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The precise activity for what the company will do, so banking, contracts and tax all line up.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Mainland or free zone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A side-by-side comparison of where you can trade, the total cost and how profit is taxed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Jurisdiction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The free zone or emirate best suited to your sector, budget and growth plans.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Corporate structure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shareholding, holding companies, subsidiaries and branches of foreign companies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Corporate documents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Memorandum of association, board resolutions and parent company documents, checked line by line.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Office solutions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From flexi-desks to dedicated offices, matched to your structure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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After set-up<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Corporate secretarial, compliance, accounting and tax support, so the company stays in good standing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Choosing a structure<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mainland or free zone: which structure fits?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The structure decides where the company can sell and how its profit is taxed. Most new UAE businesses compare these two.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mainland LLC<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Ownership<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 to 50 shareholders; up to 100% foreign for most activities<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Where it can trade<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anywhere in the UAE and abroad<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Corporate tax position<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0% up to AED 375,000 of taxable income, 9% above; Small Business Relief for revenue of AED 3m or less<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Free zone company<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Ownership<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Up to 100% foreign<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Where it can trade<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Within its zone and outside the UAE<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Corporate tax position<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

0% on qualifying income if it meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions; otherwise 0% and 9%<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Expanding an overseas company?<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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The process<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How it works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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01<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consultation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A partner learns what the business will do, who will own it and who it will sell to.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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02<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written recommendation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Structure, jurisdiction and activity, with a timeline and a fixed-fee quote.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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03<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set-up<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We prepare every document and manage the process end to end, with one point of contact.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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04<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ongoing support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Corporate secretarial, accounting and tax once you are operating.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Why VIVOS<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Partner-led, from first call to final document<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We take the time to understand your business model, check every detail and recommend the structure that fits, never a standard package.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Request a consultation<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Local team, regional group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A Dubai team in Business Bay, part of the VIVOS Group across Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and the UAE.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fixed fees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fixed fees agreed upfront, with no surprises.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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One firm, end to end<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One firm for set-up, corporate secretarial, accounting and tax, so nothing falls between providers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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FAQ<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Anything else you would like to know? A partner will answer directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ask a question<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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What is the difference between a mainland and a free zone company?<\/summary>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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How long does company set-up take?<\/summary>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Can you help an existing foreign company expand into the UAE?<\/summary>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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How much does company set-up cost?<\/summary>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Get in touch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Request a consultation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n