Business Setup and Company Formation Services in the UAE and Worldwide
Establish the right company. In the right jurisdiction. With the right corporate structure.
Business setup is not simply a matter of selecting the lowest-cost licence. The jurisdiction, legal form and licence you choose affect where you can operate, how you transact, your visa eligibility, banking profile, tax treatment and future expansion. Avyanco provides advisory-led company formation — we evaluate your operations before recommending a structure.
- Up to 100% ownership
- Mainland · Free Zone · Offshore · International
- Partner-led since 2020
In brief: UAE business setup opens three pathways: Mainland gives the right to invoice across the UAE domestic market under a Department of Economic Development licence; Free Zone gives a foreign-owned regional hub with a single sector regulator; and Offshore gives a non-resident vehicle for international holding, IP and treaty access. Avyanco runs formation, banking and visas as one partner-led engagement.
Trusted by Founders, Family Offices, and Global Enterprises.
One Business Objective Can Have Several Structuring Options
A UAE business may generally be established in the mainland, a free zone or an offshore jurisdiction — and international structures may also be appropriate where shareholders, customers, investments or operations extend beyond the UAE. No single jurisdiction is suitable for every investor. Avyanco identifies the structure that aligns with your actual commercial model — not a jurisdiction chosen merely because it offers a promotional licence package.
Before recommending a company formation option, our advisors consider:
- The proposed business activitie
- Whether the company will trade locally or internationally
- Import, export, customs and warehousing requirements
- The number and nationality of shareholders
- Residence visa and employee requirements
- Banking and payment-processing requirements
- Corporate Tax and VAT considerations
- Economic substance and operational requirements
- Future fundraising, restructuring or international expansion
- The location of customers and suppliers
- Whether the business supplies goods, services or both
- Expected transaction values and volumes
- Individual or corporate shareholding
- Office, warehouse, retail or industrial premises
- Expected annual revenue and profitability
- Regulatory and external approval requirements
- Ownership of investments, real estate or intellectual property
Following this assessment, we provide a jurisdiction comparison, proposed legal structure, incorporation roadmap and a transparent cost estimate.
Business Setup Options Available Through WeCan
UAE Mainland Company Formation
A mainland company is licensed by the competent economic department of the relevant emirate and — depending on the activity and legal form — may trade throughout the UAE, contract directly with local customers, lease commercial premises and sponsor employee visas. The UAE permits up to 100% foreign ownership for many commercial and professional activities, though conditions may apply to strategic or regulated activities (U.AE).
Consider mainland when you will
- Sell goods or services directly across the UAE
- Open a shop, clinic, salon or physical outlet
- Undertake construction, contracting or maintenance
- Run a real estate brokerage
- Bid for government or large private contracts
- Recruit a substantial UAE-based workforce
Common legal forms
- Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- Sole Establishment
- Civil Company
- Branch of a UAE or foreign company
- Private / Public Joint Stock Company
- Representative office
Mainland by emirate
Each emirate’s DED runs its own licensing and cost base — Dubai’s DET sits above the lower-cost northern emirates. Each links to its own guide.
Dubai Mainland
DET Licensed
The UAE's business capital.
Abu Dhabi Mainland
ADDED Licensed
Energy, government and corporate hub.
Sharjah
SEDD Licensed
Cost-effective onshore setup.
Ajman Mainland
Ajman DED Licensed
Cost-efficient mainland licensing.
Ras Al Khaimah Mainland
RAK DED Licensed
Industrial and trade-friendly.
Fujairah Mainland
Fujairah Licensed
East-coast trade and port access.
Umm Al Quwain Mainland
UAQ DED Licensed
Cost-efficient mainland option.
Legal structures
Four forms cover almost every mainland setup. The right one depends on the activity, shareholder count and liability profile.
Limited Liability Company LLC
— one or more shareholders, liability limited to capital. The workhorse structure for trading and services.
Sole Establishment
— a single professional owner trading in their own name (unlimited liability).
Branch of an existing company
— a UAE or foreign parent operating under its own name.
Civil Company
— a partnership for recognised professions (consultants, engineers, and similar).
Not sure if your activity allows 100% ownership?
Tell us your activity and emirate — we’ll confirm the ownership rule and cost, free.
100% foreign ownership
The 2021 amendments to the Commercial Companies Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020) removed the long-standing 51% Emirati-ownership requirement for most commercial, professional and industrial activities from 1 June 2021. Foreign founders can now hold 100% of the shares in their own name — no local partner, no nominee arrangement.
A short list of strategic-impact activities(defence, certain oil & gas and security activities, some fiduciary services) still requires Emirati participation under Cabinet Decision No. 55 of 2021 and the emirate activity lists. We confirm exactly which rule applies to your activity before licensing, so there is no surprise.
How a mainland company is formed
- Choose activity & emirate — and confirm the ownership rule for that activity.
- Reserve the trade name — subject to UAE naming rules.
- Initial approval — from the DED, plus any external approvals the activity needs.
- MoA & office (Ejari) — draft and notarise the MoA and register a tenancy.
- Issue the licence — the DED issues the trade licence.
- Bank, visas & tax — open the account, process investor and staff visas, register for Corporate Tax and VAT.
See the full business setup guide, or PRO services for the government liaison.
Mainland cost
Cost depends on the emirate, activity, office (Ejari) and visa count. Dubai’s DET sits above the lower-cost northern-emirate DEDs, and adding visas and a physical office moves the figure further. See the itemised Dubai Mainland cost guide with a downloadable fact sheet, compare on the packages page, or get an instant estimate with the cost calculator.
Mainland vs free zone
Mainland lets you trade UAE-wide and with government, with 100% ownership now available for most activities. A free zone gives 100% ownership across every activity, often lower cost and access to the 0% Qualifying Free Zone Person regime, but generally needs a distributor or mainland branch to sell directly to mainland customers. For pure international holding with no UAE residency, an offshore company may fit better.
The right route comes down to who you sell to — we map all three against your model in the business setup consultation.