WhatsApp quoteBoth a UAE free zone and the UAE mainland offer 100% foreign ownership and UAE residence visas; the differences lie in price, reputation, office options and activity lists. GoldenKey registers companies in both a UAE free zone and the UAE mainland, so this comparison reflects real files rather than brochure claims.
The most common businesses Vietnamese nationals open through GoldenKey are in electronics, textiles, agricultural exports and IT outsourcing, although free zone and mainland for Vietnamese nationals supports almost any activity. the UAE is Vietnam's largest trading partner in the Middle East, with a CEPA concluded in 2024, which gives Vietnamese entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their free zone and mainland for Vietnamese nationals licence is issued.
Ajman Free Zone vs Dubai Mainland — example comparison
| Feature | Ajman Free Zone | Dubai Mainland |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction type | Free Zone | Mainland |
| Licence from | AED 4,808 | AED 15,000 |
| Renewal fee | on request | AED 12,000 |
| Extra visa cost | on request | AED 3,500 |
| Foreign ownership | 100% | 100% for most activities |
| Trade with UAE mainland | Via distributor / dual licence | Yes, directly |
| Residence visas | Yes, per package | Yes, per package |
| Typical processing | 3 working days | 4 working days |
| Office options | Flexi-desk, Office Suite or Warehouse | Office, Shop or Warehouse |
| Best known for | among the most affordable in the uae, no audited accounts required and 100% foreign ownership | unrestricted uae-wide trading, government and corporate tenders and strongest brand recognition globally |
Our verdict for Vietnamese nationals
Choose a UAE free zone if
your customers are outside the UAE or online, you want the lowest setup cost and you are a Vietnamese founder who may run the business partly from Vietnam.
Choose the UAE mainland if
you will serve UAE customers directly, open a shop, clinic or restaurant, bid for government work or need a large visa quota for staff from Vietnam.
Documents from Vietnam
Whichever route you choose, Vietnamese nationals need the following:
- Educational certificates attested by the Vietnam authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- Attested parent-company papers and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- A police clearance certificate from Vietnam if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A passport issued by Vietnam with at least six months' validity
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
Why GoldenKey
In practice, you deal with one named consultant from the first call until your free zone and mainland for Vietnamese nationals licence, visa and bank introduction are complete, and that consultant answers your WhatsApp messages personally. Importantly, most of our free zone and mainland for Vietnamese nationals customers come to us through referrals from other founders, which is why we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing. GoldenKey builds its own CRM and client portal, so you can see the status of your free zone and mainland for Vietnamese nationals application, download your documents and pay invoices from your phone.
In practice, prefer to visit? Our Ajman office welcomes walk-ins during working hours, and we can also meet you in Dubai or Sharjah by appointment to discuss free zone versus mainland for Vietnamese founders.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Vietnamese citizen own 100% of a company in free zone and mainland for Vietnamese nationals?
Yes. Vietnamese nationals can own the full share capital of a free zone and mainland for Vietnamese nationals company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Is there a double taxation agreement between Vietnam and the UAE?
Yes. The UAE and Vietnam have a double taxation agreement, and a UAE tax residency certificate lets you claim treaty relief on qualifying income. GoldenKey can obtain the certificate once your company is established.
Do Vietnamese nationals need a UAE visa before applying for free zone and mainland for Vietnamese nationals?
No. You can apply for the licence from Vietnam with scanned documents, and the investor residence visa is processed afterwards.
How long does the process take for Vietnamese applicants?
Processing for Vietnamese nationals follows the same timeline as other nationalities. Documents from Vietnam that need attestation are the main variable, and GoldenKey guides you through that step.
