UAE Business Setup — Complete Answer Hub

Free zone licenses start from AED 4,166 all-in with GoldenKey's current offers (Ajman Free Zone). Typical ranges: Ajman AED 4,166–12,000, RAKEZ from AED 4,508, SHAMS from AED 5,760, SPC from AED 8,050, IFZA and Meydan from ~AED 12,500. Mainland company formation usually starts around AED 12,000–18,000 depending on activity. Every GoldenKey quote is written and itemised before you pay.

With Ajman Free Zone — where GoldenKey's head office sits — a business license can be issued in under 60 minutes once documents are in order. Most other free zones take 2–5 working days; mainland licenses typically take 3–7 working days.

Yes. All UAE free zones offer 100% foreign ownership, and since 2021 most mainland commercial and professional activities also allow full foreign ownership without a local sponsor.

For most free zones: passport copy, passport-size photo, and a short application. Some zones ask for a simple business plan or CV. No UAE entry is required to start — GoldenKey can incorporate remotely with e-signatures.

Mainland companies (DED-licensed) can trade anywhere in the UAE and take government contracts. Free zone companies get 100% ownership, fast setup and tax advantages but trade mainly within their zone and internationally. Offshore companies (RAK ICC, JAFZA Offshore, Ajman Offshore) are holding vehicles for assets and international trade with no UAE office.

Ajman Free Zone at AED 4,166 (GoldenKey offer pricing) is currently among the cheapest, followed by RAKEZ from AED 4,508, Umm Al Quwain from AED 4,675, and ANC from AED 4,888 which renews at the same rate.

Visa quota depends on the package and zone: 0-visa packages are cheapest; 1–6 visa packages are standard; some zones (e.g., SPC, Fujairah Creative) offer larger quotas. Mainland quotas scale with office space.

The Golden Visa is a 10-year self-sponsored residency for investors (AED 2M+ in property or deposits), entrepreneurs, skilled professionals earning AED 30k+/month, scientists, and outstanding students. GoldenKey handles the complete file including medical, Emirates ID and stamping.

A typical free zone investor visa costs AED 3,500–5,500 in government fees per person (entry permit, change of status, medical, Emirates ID, stamping), plus insurance. GoldenKey quotes each line item in writing.

Yes — once your investor/partner visa is stamped and you meet the minimum salary/income threshold (typically AED 4,000–10,000 depending on emirate), you can sponsor a spouse, children and parents.

Yes — with a compliance-ready file. GoldenKey prepares the business profile, expected activity summary and documents, then matches you to the right bank; our clients see roughly a 96% approval success rate. Timelines: 1–4 weeks depending on the bank.

Yes — 9% corporate tax applies on taxable profits above AED 375,000 since June 2023. Qualifying Free Zone Persons can keep a 0% rate on qualifying income. Every GoldenKey license includes FREE corporate tax registration.

VAT registration is mandatory once taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000 in 12 months, and voluntary above AED 187,500. The standard VAT rate is 5%.

A free zone company that meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions pays 0% on qualifying income and 9% on non-qualifying income. Registration with the FTA is still mandatory — GoldenKey includes it free with every license.

Licenses renew annually. GoldenKey tracks your expiry, re-quotes the renewal in writing each year, and processes it same-day in most free zones. Late renewal attracts authority fines, so we remind you 60/30/7 days before.

PRO (Public Relations Officer) services handle your government paperwork: visa processing, labour and immigration cards, document attestation, license amendments and renewals. GoldenKey's in-house PRO team works the portals daily.

The authority applies monthly fines, blocks visa services, and can eventually cancel the license and blacklist the company. If you're behind, GoldenKey can regularise the file and negotiate a clean renewal path.

Company cancellation involves clearing visas, closing the establishment card, obtaining clearances and publishing notices where required. A full free zone cancellation file with GoldenKey is typically around AED 8,253 including government lines.

GoldenKey BCS is a CEO-led UAE business setup consultancy headquartered in Ajman Free Zone (B1 Building, Level 03, Office 318), led by Chairman Mohammad Sajid with 20+ years of UAE expertise. 1,477+ companies formed for 39+ nationalities. Phone/WhatsApp: +971 55 671 5001.

Written itemised quotes before any payment, a license in under 60 minutes via Ajman Free Zone, FREE corporate tax registration and bank account assistance with every license, instalments via Tabby & Tamara, and one advisor handling license, visas, bank and tax end-to-end.

Ajman, ANC, UAQ, RAKEZ, Fujairah, Hamriyah, SPC, SRTIP, SHAMS, IFZA, Meydan, Dubai South, Masdar City, DMCC and JAFZA — plus mainland formation across all seven emirates.

Yes — a large share of our 39+ nationalities are from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. We handle everything remotely or in person, including bank introductions that understand South Asian business profiles.