Build the right company before you build the company.
Business Gateway helps founders, investors and established companies identify the Dubai structure that fits their activity, target market, ownership needs, operational model, residency requirements and growth plans.
Strategic assessment before incorporation, licensing or investment.
Your
Business Profile
Your Business Profile
What do you want to build in Dubai?
Select the objective that fits your situation. Explore the route, or assess it — we carry your objective through the whole assessment so the questions, results and next step match.
Start a New Business
Establish a new Dubai company based on your activity, customer market, ownership, operational and residency requirements.
Who this is for
Founders or investors planning to establish a new company in Dubai.
Key considerations
- Business activity and licence
- Mainland or Free Zone
- Ownership, office and visa requirements
Expand an Existing Company
Evaluate a branch, subsidiary, regional office or new operating entity for UAE and regional expansion.
Who this is for
Established companies considering a Dubai branch, subsidiary, regional office, distribution presence or new commercial entity.
Key considerations
- Current company structure
- Regional market-entry model
- Operations, staffing and compliance
Relocate Your Business
Assess the operational, ownership, management, staffing and residency requirements involved in moving a business to Dubai.
Who this is for
Business owners planning to move management, operations, teams, ownership structures or commercial activity to Dubai.
Key considerations
- Current jurisdiction and company
- Operations or management being relocated
- Banking, tax, staffing and continuity
Invest, Acquire or Franchise
Review commercial investment, business acquisition, franchise and partnership pathways based on capital, involvement and growth objectives.
Who this is for
Users evaluating an existing business, acquisition, franchise, partnership or structured commercial investment.
Key considerations
- Available capital
- Active or passive involvement
- Acquisition, franchise or partnership preference
Mainland or Free Zone?
The correct structure depends on where you will trade, how you will operate, the activity you require, your office needs, staffing plans, compliance obligations and long-term expansion strategy.
| Factor | Mainland | Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Best suited for | Businesses needing broad UAE market access, local commercial operations, or government and corporate contracting. | Businesses focused on international activity, specialised ecosystems, or zone-specific facilities. |
| UAE market access | Trade across the UAE mainland without geographic restriction. | Generally restricted to within the free zone or outside the UAE, subject to the licence and activity. |
| Licensing authority | Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) or the relevant emirate authority. | The specific free zone authority issuing the licence. |
| Office and facility requirements | Physical premises are typically required, sized to the activity. | Flexi-desk or facility options may be available depending on the zone and licence. |
| Staffing and visa planning | Visa allocation depends on premises size, activity and authority criteria. | Visa allocation varies by free zone, licence type and facility. |
| Tax and compliance considerations | Corporate Tax and VAT may apply subject to thresholds and rules. | Corporate Tax treatment is conditional; compliance obligations still apply. |
| Expansion flexibility | Broad operational and market flexibility across the UAE. | Expansion may require additional approvals or a mainland presence. |
Best suited for
Businesses needing broad UAE market access, local commercial operations, or government and corporate contracting.
UAE market access
Trade across the UAE mainland without geographic restriction.
Licensing authority
Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) or the relevant emirate authority.
Office and facility requirements
Physical premises are typically required, sized to the activity.
Staffing and visa planning
Visa allocation depends on premises size, activity and authority criteria.
Tax and compliance considerations
Corporate Tax and VAT may apply subject to thresholds and rules.
Expansion flexibility
Broad operational and market flexibility across the UAE.
Rules, permitted activities, facilities, market access and costs vary by free zone and licence type. Neither structure is universally better.
Your licence is only one part of the decision.
The lowest-cost setup is not always the most suitable structure. The decision should be based on how the business will operate after incorporation.
Business activity
The licensed activity determines which jurisdictions, legal forms and facilities are available to you.
Customer and market location
Where your customers sit — inside or outside the UAE — shapes whether mainland or free zone suits your operations.
Office or facility requirements
Physical premises, warehousing or flexi-desk needs affect cost, visa allocation and licensing authority.
Ownership and shareholder structure
Shareholder nationality, number and corporate structure can affect eligibility and the chosen legal form.
Team and residency requirements
The number of investor, employee and dependent visas you need drives facility and establishment-card planning.
Tax, banking and compliance profile
Corporate Tax, VAT, banking appetite and record-keeping obligations should be reviewed before incorporation.
Coordination across setup, not a single licence sale.
Structure and Activity Review
Review the intended activity, legal form, shareholders and operating model before selecting a licensing jurisdiction.
Incorporation and Licensing
Coordinate trade-name reservation, initial approvals, constitutional documents, licensing and establishment requirements.
Immigration and Establishment Support
Coordinate eligible investor, partner, employee and dependent processes based on the approved structure and current regulations. Residency approval is not guaranteed.
Banking Readiness
Prepare the business profile, ownership information, commercial rationale and supporting documentation required for bank applications. Banking readiness and application support — not guaranteed account opening.
Tax and Compliance Onboarding
Identify Corporate Tax, VAT, accounting, record-keeping and other compliance considerations requiring professional review. MigrationDubai does not provide regulated tax or legal advice unless appropriately licensed.
Growth and Market Entry
Support market-entry planning, business development, franchise assessment, partnerships and regional expansion.
Deeper routes, each with its own assessment.
Business Gateway introduces these routes; the detail lives on their dedicated pages and in your tailored assessment.
Company Formation
For founders and businesses establishing a new Dubai entity.
Explore Company FormationBusiness Investment
For investors reviewing commercial opportunities, acquisitions or structured investments.
Explore Business InvestmentFranchise and Market Entry
For brands entering Dubai through franchise, distribution or partnership models.
Explore Market EntryBusiness Development
For existing companies seeking partnerships, growth strategy or regional expansion.
Explore Business DevelopmentFrom objective to coordinated execution.
Define the Objective
Understand the activity, market, shareholders, investment level, operational needs and long-term plan.
Compare the Structures
Evaluate Mainland, relevant Free Zones and other applicable structures.
Build the Setup Plan
Define the licensing, documentation, premises, immigration, compliance and banking-readiness requirements.
Coordinate Execution
Proceed with the selected authorities and specialist providers after the client approves the strategy.
Every setup is different; this is a framework, not a fixed sequence that every business follows.
What should be confirmed before incorporation?
Corporate Tax
UAE companies may be subject to Corporate Tax. A 0% rate for qualifying Free Zone income is conditional on meeting the applicable qualifying conditions; it is not automatic.
Verify current thresholds and wording against the UAE Federal Tax Authority before relying on this summary.
VAT
VAT registration may become mandatory when taxable supplies and imports reach the applicable threshold. Voluntary registration may also apply under set conditions.
Confirm all thresholds and rules against the UAE Federal Tax Authority.
Banking
Bank approval depends on the bank’s own requirements, the business model, ownership profile, expected activity and supporting documents. No approval or timeline is guaranteed.
Each bank sets its own onboarding criteria; outcomes vary by application.
Residency
Business ownership or incorporation may support certain residence pathways, but eligibility and approval depend on the specific visa category and the competent authority. A licence does not automatically grant Green or Golden Residency.
Visa eligibility is determined by the competent authority for the relevant category.
Straight answers on setup realities.
The right setup begins with the right questions.
Tell us what you want to build, where you want to operate and how you plan to grow. We will help you identify the structures that deserve further review.
Turn your business objective into a verified setup strategy.
Request a private review of your business activity, structure, budget and operating priorities before you commit.
What will be reviewed
- Your primary objective
- Selected countries or programs
- Budget and timeline alignment
- Family and business requirements
- Documentation readiness
- Key risks or missing information
- Recommended next action
Your information will be used only to review your request and coordinate an appropriate follow-up.
Advisor Review provides an initial strategic assessment based on the information submitted. It does not constitute legal, tax, financial or immigration advice and does not guarantee eligibility, approval or a specific outcome.