I’m Daniel Pereira from Portugal and I want to start a digital marketing consultancy in Dubai. I have a limited budget and initially need only one investor visa. Which free zone setup would be suitable for me?
Yes, setting up a free zone company in the UAE is generally a straightforward process, but the exact requirements and costs depend on the free zone, business activity, and number of visas you need. In most cases, the process involves selecting the right free zone, preparing your documents, obtaining the trade licence, and then completing visa and banking formalities.
Steps to Set Up a Free Zone Company
- Choose the right free zone: Start by comparing free zones such as DMCC, IFZA, RAKEZ and others based on your business activity, budget, location and office requirements.
- Select your business activity and structure: Decide whether you need a commercial, professional/service or industrial licence and choose the appropriate legal structure, such as an FZE, FZCO/FZC or branch.
- Reserve your trade name: Submit your preferred company names to the free zone authority. The name must comply with UAE naming regulations and should be appropriate for your selected business activity.
- Prepare KYC documents: Typically, you will need passport copies, photographs, proof of residential address and, depending on the activity and authority, a brief business plan or description of your proposed business.
- Arrange your office or flexi-desk: Depending on your licence and visa requirements, you can choose from options such as a flexi-desk, coworking space, serviced office, dedicated office or warehouse.
- Pay the registration and licence fees: Once the application is approved and fees are paid, the free zone authority issues your trade licence and incorporation documents.
- Apply for visas and open your bank account: After incorporation, you can apply for investor or employee residence visas, where eligible, and then proceed with opening a UAE corporate bank account.
One thing I always recommend is not choosing a free zone based only on the cheapest package. Check whether the licence covers your exact activity, how many visas you require, what office facility is included and whether the setup will support your future banking requirements.
