Templates › Gulf countries › Business
Free Zone Business Setup (تأسيس شركة)
Set up a free zone company in the Gulf: choose the zone and activity, reserve the name, submit shareholder documents, pay fees, get the licence, establishment card and visas, open a bank account and register for corporate tax. Rules and authorities vary by zone and country.
- Gulf countries
- ~24 days
- 10 steps
- 4 documents
Curated by Raaya · Last reviewed Oct 2026
Steps
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Choose a free zone and business activity
2 daysThe UAE has many free zones, each with its own authority, activity list, office options and pricing; DMCC in Dubai is one example. Free zone companies can be fully foreign-owned but generally trade within the zone or internationally, and need extra approvals to do business on the UAE mainland. Pick the zone that licenses your exact activity and suits your customers, office needs and visa needs.
Other Gulf countries: Saudi Arabia licenses foreign investors through the Ministry of Investment (MISA) with commercial registration at the Ministry of Commerce, plus special economic zones. Qatar has the Qatar Free Zones Authority and the Qatar Financial Centre. Bahrain registers companies via Sijilat. Kuwait uses KDIPA and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Oman uses its investment services portal and the free zones under OPAZ.
Tip: Ask each zone for a written quote that lists licence, registration, office and visa costs separately.
- Online
- dmcc.ae
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Decide your company structure
1 dayDecide the basics before applying, because they drive the documents and costs. Choose the legal form (for example a free zone company with one or more shareholders, or a branch of an existing company), the shareholders and their percentages, the manager and any directors, the company name with two or three alternatives, and the office type (flexi desk, shared or dedicated office). The office size often determines how many visas you can get.
Other Gulf countries: forms and minimum capital rules differ; MISA, QFZ or QFC, Sijilat, KDIPA and Oman's authorities publish their own lists.
Tip: Check the name rules early; names that use restricted words or resemble existing brands are rejected.
- Legal form chosen (company or branch)
- Shareholders and ownership split agreed
- Manager and directors named
- Three company name options
- Office type and visa allocation decided
- Licensed activities confirmed
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Reserve the name and get initial approval
2 daysSubmit the application on the free zone portal: proposed names, activities, shareholders and manager. The authority checks the name and activity and issues initial approval. Some activities, such as financial services, healthcare or education, also need approval from a federal or emirate regulator.
Other Gulf countries: name reservation and initial approval are done on the Ministry of Commerce or MISA platforms in Saudi Arabia, the MOCI or free zone portal in Qatar, Sijilat in Bahrain, the MOCI in Kuwait and the investment portal in Oman.
Tip: Ask whether any external approval is needed for your activity; it can add weeks.
- Online
- dmcc.ae
Business plan -
Submit shareholder and manager documents
3 daysUpload passport copies and photos for each shareholder, director and manager, plus proof of address and, for UAE residents, Emirates ID and residence. Corporate shareholders need certified and attested constitutional documents and a board resolution. Some zones ask for a business plan, bank reference or CV.
You will also sign the company's memorandum and articles of association and declare the ultimate beneficial owners, as required for UAE companies.
Other Gulf countries: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman require similar documents, with attestation by their embassies for foreign corporate papers.
Tip: Corporate document attestation abroad is the most common delay; start it on day one.
Valid passport copies of all shareholdersBank statement or bank referenceAttested corporate shareholder documents -
Pay the licence and registration fees
1 dayPay the registration fee, the first year's licence fee and the office or desk rent. Expect additional charges for the establishment card, each visa, and the medical test and Emirates ID for each visa holder. Costs vary widely between zones and packages, so rely on the zone's official quote.
Other Gulf countries: Saudi Arabia charges MISA licence and commercial registration fees; Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman each have their own registration and licence fees.
Tip: Ask whether the quote includes VAT and renewal-year fees, not just year one.
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Receive your trade licence
3 daysOnce fees are paid and documents approved, the free zone issues the trade licence, certificate of incorporation, registered lease and share certificates. Check that the activities and shareholder details are correct.
Other Gulf countries: Saudi Arabia issues the commercial registration (CR) and MISA licence; Qatar the commercial registration or free zone licence; Bahrain the CR via Sijilat; Kuwait and Oman their commercial registration certificates.
Tip: Keep the licence number handy; banks, the tax authority and suppliers all ask for it.
- Online
- dmcc.ae
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Get the establishment card and visas
3 daysApply through the free zone for the immigration establishment card, which lets the company sponsor visas. Then apply for residence visas for the owners and staff within your allocation; each visa follows the usual entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID and residence process.
Other Gulf countries: Saudi companies set up Qiwa and Muqeem accounts to hire and sponsor staff; Qatar companies register with the MOI and Ministry of Labour; Bahrain uses the LMRA; Kuwait uses PAM; Oman the Ministry of Labour.
Tip: Apply for the investor or partner visa first; you will need your Emirates ID for the bank account.
- Online
- dmcc.ae
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Open the company bank account
7 daysBook an appointment with a UAE bank to open the corporate account. Banks carry out detailed checks on shareholders, the source of funds and expected transactions, and usually ask for the licence, incorporation documents, the shareholders' passports and Emirates IDs, and a short business profile. Approval can take several weeks.
Other Gulf countries: banks in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman apply similar checks and require the CR or licence.
Tip: Apply to two banks at once if timing matters, and prepare example contracts or invoices.
- Where
- UAE bank business banking team · Bring trade licence, incorporation documents, shareholder passports and Emirates IDs, business profile and expected transaction volumes.
Bank statement or bank referenceBusiness plan -
Register for corporate tax and check VAT
1 dayAll UAE resident companies, including free zone companies, must register for corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority on EmaraTax. Companies incorporated on or after 1 March 2024 must apply within three months of incorporation; the late registration penalty is AED 10,000. Free zone companies may qualify for a 0 percent rate on qualifying income only if they meet the conditions. Register for VAT if taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000 in 12 months.
Other Gulf countries: Saudi Arabia (ZATCA) applies zakat or corporate income tax and VAT; Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman have their own corporate tax regimes and authorities.
Tip: Put the three-month deadline in your calendar the day the licence is issued.
- Online
- tax.gov.ae
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Set a reminder to renew the licence
1 dayFree zone licences, leases and the establishment card must be renewed every year, usually with an updated lease and paid fees. An expired licence blocks visa services and can lead to fines. Corporate tax returns are due within nine months of the end of each tax period.
Other Gulf countries: renew the commercial registration and licences through the Ministry of Commerce or MISA (Saudi Arabia), MOCI or free zone (Qatar), Sijilat (Bahrain), MOCI (Kuwait) and the investment portal (Oman).
Tip: Start renewal a month early so visas are not blocked.
Documents you'll need
| Valid passport copies of all shareholders | Required for every shareholder, director and manager; residents also provide Emirates ID. |
|---|---|
| Bank statement or bank reference | Some zones and most banks ask for proof of funds or a bank reference for shareholders. |
| Business plan | Requested by some zones for approval and by banks when opening the account. |
| Attested corporate shareholder documents | Only for company shareholders: constitutional documents and board resolution, notarised and attested by the UAE embassy and UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. |
Official sources
Related templates
General guidance, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change; confirm with the official source before you act.