Frequently asked questions.

Mainland and most Free Zone trade licenses are issued within 1–3 working days once documents are submitted. More regulated activities (financial services, healthcare, education) take longer because of additional approvals. Investor visa & Emirates ID follow in 7–10 working days.

Mainland for UAE-wide trade, government contracts and physical retail; Free Zone for international/online business, tax efficiency and 100% ownership. The right choice depends on what you sell, who your customers are, and how you plan to grow. We map this in 15 minutes during your free consultation.

Yes — for the vast majority of activities. Since 2021, Mainland LLCs allow 100% foreign ownership across 1,000+ commercial activities. Free Zones have always permitted full foreign ownership. A short list of strategic-impact sectors still requires Emirati partnership.

Free Zone: AED 12,500–18,000 typical. Mainland LLC: AED 18,000–35,000 typical. Cost depends on activity, jurisdiction, office option and visa quota. Use our cost calculator for an itemised estimate.

For most jurisdictions, you’ll need a short visit (3–5 days) for medical, biometrics and Emirates ID. Some Free Zones allow remote setup with a follow-up visit later. We schedule everything around your travel dates.

You become an "investor" or "partner" of your company and apply for an investor visa — typically 2 or 3 years validity, multi-entry, sponsorship rights for spouse and children. We process this end-to-end as part of your setup.

10-year self-sponsored UAE residency, no employer required. Eligibility comes via real-estate investment (AED 2M+), business investment (AED 2M+), specialist talent (doctors, engineers, etc.), or accredited entrepreneur status. We assess all five tracks and apply on the strongest one.

Yes — but the income bar is high: minimum monthly salary AED 20,000 (or AED 19,000 with 2-bedroom accommodation), with proof you’re the primary supporter. Both parents must come together.

Standard residence visas cancel after 6 consecutive months outside the UAE — this catches many people out. The Golden Visa has no such restriction. We track expiries for our retainer clients and flag risks early.

Federal corporate tax is 9% on taxable profits above AED 375,000. Below that threshold: 0%. Free Zone companies meeting Qualifying Free Zone Person criteria pay 0% on qualifying income. Registration with the FTA is mandatory regardless of profit level.

If your annual taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000, VAT registration is mandatory and you file quarterly returns. Below AED 187,500, registration is not allowed. Between AED 187.5K and AED 375K, voluntary registration is permitted (and often advantageous if you have substantial input VAT).

Penalties: AED 500/month for the first 12 months, AED 1,000/month thereafter for late corporate tax returns. VAT late-payment penalty: 2% of unpaid tax + 4% per month thereafter. Always file on time, even if zero tax is owed.

Audited financials are mandatory for: (a) Free Zone companies maintaining QFZP corporate-tax status, (b) groups with revenue above AED 50M, (c) any company subject to FTA inquiry. For everyone else, audited financials are strongly recommended.

2–6 weeks depending on the bank and your business profile. New companies and high-risk industries (crypto, gaming, certain trading) take longer. SME-tier banks (RAK Bank, WIO, Mashreq NEO) open faster than premium-tier (Emirates NBD Premium, HSBC).

Post-FATF reform, UAE banks tightened compliance significantly. They want clarity on who you are, what your business does, where money comes from, and where it goes. Get the file structured right (we do this for you), and approval is straightforward.

Some banks (WIO, Mashreq NEO, certain Emirates NBD packages) allow remote video-KYC for qualifying directors. Most still require an in-person meeting — usually a 1-day visit alongside your visa stamping.

Senior-led ownership: every engagement is owned by a director, not handed to a junior. Transparent pricing: itemised quotes with no hidden government fees. End-to-end continuity: the same advisor stays with you from license to long-term tax and renewals.

30 minutes with a senior advisor. We listen first, ask the right questions about your business and goals, then recommend a structure, jurisdiction and visa plan with an itemised quote. No script, no sales pressure.

Yes — most clients stay with us for visa renewals, VAT filing, corporate tax, accounting, audit and Golden Visa upgrades. One firm, one point of contact, across the lifecycle of your UAE business.

English (primary), Arabic (for legal documents and government liaison), Hindi, Urdu, and Russian. Documents are drafted bilingually where required.