Your business activity, passport copies for shareholders, and a chosen jurisdiction. We match your activity to the right licence and tell you exactly what else is needed.
Yes. Most free zone, mainland and offshore licences can be issued without visiting. You only need to be in the UAE for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics.
The licence can come through within days. The full route to visas, Emirates ID, corporate tax and bank account usually takes a few weeks.
Costs depend on the jurisdiction, activity and number of visas. Use our cost calculator for an estimate in 60 seconds, or call an adviser.
Sarsan Corporate Services is a Dubai-based business setup and advisory firm specializing in UAE company formation, corporate bank account facilitation, and Corporate Tax compliance. Unlike standard setup agents, we build the full operational infrastructure your business needs — license, banking, and tax structure — under one roof.
Sarsan's core differentiator is our Banking-First approach — we identify the right bank for your business before recommending a license authority, eliminating the account rejection risk that affects over 40% of new UAE businesses. We also provide Corporate Tax readiness and post-setup operational support that most setup firms simply don't offer.
Foreigners can set up a business in Dubai by choosing a Free Zone or Mainland structure, submitting required documents to the relevant authority, and obtaining a trade license — the process takes 3–15 business days depending on the structure. Sarsan manages the entire process on your behalf, from structure selection to license issuance and bank account opening.
The most common hidden costs in UAE business setup include: bank minimum balance requirements (AED 25,000–250,000 depending on the bank), annual license renewal fees (typically 80–90% of the initial setup cost), mandatory medical insurance per visa (AED 700–3,500/person/year), Corporate Tax registration (mandatory for all entities), and bookkeeping fees required for CT compliance. Sarsan provides a 3-year total cost of ownership projection at consultation.
Mainland lets you trade directly in the UAE. Free zones offer 100% ownership and suit international and service businesses. Offshore suits holding and international trade; a standard RAK ICC company does not include UAE residence visas.
Usually yes, if the activities are in the same group. Some free zones allow several unrelated activities on one licence.
Licences are renewed every year. We track your renewal date, prepare the documents and file the renewal before it expires.
The four main UAE business structures are: Free Zone Company (100% foreign ownership, ideal for international trade), Mainland LLC (required for UAE domestic market access), Branch Office (extension of a foreign company), and Offshore Company (for asset holding and tax-efficient structures). Sarsan recommends the right structure based on your banking profile, target market, and Corporate Tax exposure.
A Free Zone company offers 100% foreign ownership and simplified setup but has restrictions on selling directly to the UAE domestic market. A Mainland company allows full access to UAE consumers and government contracts but requires a local trade license from the Department of Economic Development (DED). Both are subject to UAE Corporate Tax if annual taxable income exceeds AED 375,000.
UAE trade license renewal typically costs 80–90% of the original setup fee, payable annually to the relevant free zone authority or DED. Renewal is mandatory to maintain legal status, active visas, and corporate bank account standing. Sarsan manages the annual renewal process on behalf of clients to avoid lapses in legal compliance.
It is your company's immigration card, the official registration with immigration. Your company needs it before any visa can be issued.
In a free zone, the package decides your quota. On the mainland, it depends on your office size. We recommend the setup that fits your hiring plan.
Yes, once you hold a residence visa and meet the income requirement.
Yes. All UAE companies must register with the Federal Tax Authority, including free zone companies.
Registration is mandatory once taxable turnover exceeds AED 375,000 over 12 months, and voluntary from AED 187,500.
Yes — UAE Free Zone companies are subject to 9% Corporate Tax on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000 per financial year. Free Zone entities may qualify for a 0% rate on "qualifying income" if they meet specific economic substance and activity conditions set by the Ministry of Finance. All UAE entities must register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) regardless of income level.
UAE Corporate Tax is a 9% federal tax on business profits exceeding AED 375,000 per year, introduced under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 and effective for financial years starting on or after June 1, 2023. It applies to all businesses operating in the UAE, making proper accounting and financial records mandatory for the first time for most UAE companies.
Yes. We prepare your company file and introduce you to the bank, so your company can receive and make payments.
No. Scorp.ae is a private business consultancy and is not affiliated with any government authority in the UAE. We assist clients with documentation and business setup support.
To open a UAE corporate bank account, you need a valid trade license, shareholder documents, a business plan, proof of address, and a source-of-funds declaration. Banks assess your business activity, transaction profile, and risk category before approving. Sarsan profiles your business against UAE bank criteria before the license is issued to maximize approval chances.
UAE banks reject corporate accounts due to unclear business activity descriptions, high-risk nationalities or sectors, incomplete KYC documentation, or a mismatch between the trade license activity and the declared business model. Tightened AML and KYC regulations since 2021 have made this the biggest operational pain point for new UAE businesses.
The best bank for your new Dubai company depends on your nationality, business activity, and expected transaction volume. Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAKBank, ADCB, and FAB are among the main options, while digital alternatives like Wio Business and Liv Business suit lower-volume startups. Sarsan matches your profile to the right institution — not just the fastest or cheapest option.
Your business activity, passport copies for shareholders, and a chosen jurisdiction. We match your activity to the right licence and tell you exactly what else is needed.
Yes. Most free zone, mainland and offshore licences can be issued without visiting. You only need to be in the UAE for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics.
The licence can come through within days. The full route to visas, Emirates ID, corporate tax and bank account usually takes a few weeks.
Costs depend on the jurisdiction, activity and number of visas. Use our cost calculator for an estimate in 60 seconds, or call an adviser.
Sarsan Corporate Services is a Dubai-based business setup and advisory firm specializing in UAE company formation, corporate bank account facilitation, and Corporate Tax compliance. Unlike standard setup agents, we build the full operational infrastructure your business needs — license, banking, and tax structure — under one roof.
Sarsan's core differentiator is our Banking-First approach — we identify the right bank for your business before recommending a license authority, eliminating the account rejection risk that affects over 40% of new UAE businesses. We also provide Corporate Tax readiness and post-setup operational support that most setup firms simply don't offer.
Foreigners can set up a business in Dubai by choosing a Free Zone or Mainland structure, submitting required documents to the relevant authority, and obtaining a trade license — the process takes 3–15 business days depending on the structure. Sarsan manages the entire process on your behalf, from structure selection to license issuance and bank account opening.
The most common hidden costs in UAE business setup include: bank minimum balance requirements (AED 25,000–250,000 depending on the bank), annual license renewal fees (typically 80–90% of the initial setup cost), mandatory medical insurance per visa (AED 700–3,500/person/year), Corporate Tax registration (mandatory for all entities), and bookkeeping fees required for CT compliance. Sarsan provides a 3-year total cost of ownership projection at consultation.
Mainland lets you trade directly in the UAE. Free zones offer 100% ownership and suit international and service businesses. Offshore suits holding and international trade; a standard RAK ICC company does not include UAE residence visas.
Usually yes, if the activities are in the same group. Some free zones allow several unrelated activities on one licence.
Licences are renewed every year. We track your renewal date, prepare the documents and file the renewal before it expires.
The four main UAE business structures are: Free Zone Company (100% foreign ownership, ideal for international trade), Mainland LLC (required for UAE domestic market access), Branch Office (extension of a foreign company), and Offshore Company (for asset holding and tax-efficient structures). Sarsan recommends the right structure based on your banking profile, target market, and Corporate Tax exposure.
A Free Zone company offers 100% foreign ownership and simplified setup but has restrictions on selling directly to the UAE domestic market. A Mainland company allows full access to UAE consumers and government contracts but requires a local trade license from the Department of Economic Development (DED). Both are subject to UAE Corporate Tax if annual taxable income exceeds AED 375,000.
UAE trade license renewal typically costs 80–90% of the original setup fee, payable annually to the relevant free zone authority or DED. Renewal is mandatory to maintain legal status, active visas, and corporate bank account standing. Sarsan manages the annual renewal process on behalf of clients to avoid lapses in legal compliance.
It is your company's immigration card, the official registration with immigration. Your company needs it before any visa can be issued.
In a free zone, the package decides your quota. On the mainland, it depends on your office size. We recommend the setup that fits your hiring plan.
Yes, once you hold a residence visa and meet the income requirement.
Yes. All UAE companies must register with the Federal Tax Authority, including free zone companies.
Registration is mandatory once taxable turnover exceeds AED 375,000 over 12 months, and voluntary from AED 187,500.
Yes — UAE Free Zone companies are subject to 9% Corporate Tax on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000 per financial year. Free Zone entities may qualify for a 0% rate on "qualifying income" if they meet specific economic substance and activity conditions set by the Ministry of Finance. All UAE entities must register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) regardless of income level.
UAE Corporate Tax is a 9% federal tax on business profits exceeding AED 375,000 per year, introduced under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 and effective for financial years starting on or after June 1, 2023. It applies to all businesses operating in the UAE, making proper accounting and financial records mandatory for the first time for most UAE companies.
Yes. We prepare your company file and introduce you to the bank, so your company can receive and make payments.
No. Scorp.ae is a private business consultancy and is not affiliated with any government authority in the UAE. We assist clients with documentation and business setup support.
To open a UAE corporate bank account, you need a valid trade license, shareholder documents, a business plan, proof of address, and a source-of-funds declaration. Banks assess your business activity, transaction profile, and risk category before approving. Sarsan profiles your business against UAE bank criteria before the license is issued to maximize approval chances.
UAE banks reject corporate accounts due to unclear business activity descriptions, high-risk nationalities or sectors, incomplete KYC documentation, or a mismatch between the trade license activity and the declared business model. Tightened AML and KYC regulations since 2021 have made this the biggest operational pain point for new UAE businesses.
The best bank for your new Dubai company depends on your nationality, business activity, and expected transaction volume. Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAKBank, ADCB, and FAB are among the main options, while digital alternatives like Wio Business and Liv Business suit lower-volume startups. Sarsan matches your profile to the right institution — not just the fastest or cheapest option.
