Corporate Tax Registration is mandatory for every business in the UAE — AED 10,000 penalty for late registration. Check my deadline →◆AED 10,000 Corporate Tax Penalty? Check if you qualify for a waiver →◆Corporate Tax Return Filing Deadline: 30 September 2026 for FY2025 — file now to avoid penalties◆E-Invoicing update: ASP appointment deadline extended to 30 October 2026 for businesses with AED 50M+ turnover◆Corporate Tax Registration is mandatory for every business in the UAE — AED 10,000 penalty for late registration. Check my deadline →◆AED 10,000 Corporate Tax Penalty? Check if you qualify for a waiver →◆Corporate Tax Return Filing Deadline: 30 September 2026 for FY2025 — file now to avoid penalties◆E-Invoicing update: ASP appointment deadline extended to 30 October 2026 for businesses with AED 50M+ turnover◆
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Company Formation Services

Launch on the UAE mainland or in a free zone, with the right structure from day one.

Choosing the right jurisdiction, licence type and legal structure shapes your company's tax position, ownership rules and market access for years to come. Corcess guides founders and investors through every step of UAE company formation — from initial jurisdiction selection through to bank account opening.

Mainland vs. Free Zone

Mainland companies, licensed through the Department of Economic Development, can trade freely across the UAE and take on government contracts. Free zone companies benefit from streamlined setup and, in many zones, 100% foreign ownership, but generally require a local distributor or branch to trade directly on the mainland.

Our Company Formation Process

  • Jurisdiction and legal structure assessment based on your activity and ownership goals
  • Trade name reservation and initial approval
  • Memorandum of Association and licence application preparation
  • Employment and investor visa processing
  • Corporate bank account introduction and application support

Free Zone Selection

The UAE has dozens of free zones, each with different activity lists, cost structures and facilities. We match your business activity to the free zone that offers the best combination of cost, credibility and operational fit.

Post-Setup Compliance

  • Corporate Tax registration within your FTA-prescribed window — mandatory for every business, including 0%-rate and free zone entities
  • VAT registration once your taxable turnover exceeds AED 375,000 (or voluntarily above AED 187,500)
  • Bookkeeping setup aligned to IFRS from your first transaction, so year-end and tax filings are never a scramble
  • Licence renewal tracking so your company never lapses into a compliance gap

Ownership & Legal Structure Basics

Since the 2021 reforms to the Commercial Companies Law, most mainland business activities allow up to 100% foreign ownership without a local UAE national partner — a significant shift from the previous 51% local-ownership requirement that still applies to a narrower list of strategically sensitive activities. Free zone companies have offered 100% foreign ownership since inception, but are generally limited to operating within the free zone or internationally unless they use a mainland distributor or open a mainland branch to sell directly into the local market.

Relevant Laws & Regulations

  • Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 (Commercial Companies Law)
    Governs the formation, ownership and governance of UAE mainland companies, including the 2021 reform permitting up to 100% foreign ownership for most business activities.
  • Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 & Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017
    Corporate Tax and VAT registration become mandatory obligations for every newly licensed entity — timing depends on licence issuance date and, for VAT, revenue level.

Individual free zones (e.g. DMCC, ADGM, DIFC) operate under their own regulations in addition to federal law — we advise on the specific framework relevant to your chosen jurisdiction. Summarized for general understanding, not legal advice.

Talk to Corcess

Ready for compliant, stress-free tax and business support?

Book a free consultation with our FTA-approved team and get a clear plan for your UAE tax and compliance needs.

Call +971 50 271 3700