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Company formation and licenses
We choose the right structure, activity and jurisdiction with you, and manage the whole licensing file until issuance.
Learn moreTadween Company Formation
Company setup in Dubai and the UAE under a legal team's supervision
From license to contracts — and a written quote with no hidden fees
30 minutes free ConsultationA written quote No hidden feesReal lawyers No middlemen
Dubai · Abu Dhabi · Sharjah
A written quoteno surprises
An established formation firmIn partnership with Ben Khadem & Partners
Notary publicContract notarisation through Tadween centers
Dubai · Abu Dhabi · SharjahWe cover the main emirates
Quick WhatsApp repliesDuring working hours
Company formation services
Everything your company needs. Under one legal roof.
From idea to daily operations — one team responsible for everything.
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Residencies and visas
Investor residency for you, your family and your team — we prepare the files and follow them up until the residency stamp.
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Corporate bank accounts
We prepare your file the way banks want it and accompany you to the interviews until the account is opened.
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Contracts and legal protection
Formation, partnership and employment contracts — drafted by lawyers to protect your share and your decisions.
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Tax and accounting
Registration for corporate tax and VAT, and regular books from day one.
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PRO services and government transactions
License, residency and labor card renewals — we follow them up on your behalf.
Learn moreCompany formation packages
One partner, from idea to operations.
Choose the package that fits your stage. Every package is managed by specialist lawyers from start to finish.
Launch package
For those starting from zero who want a correct setup the first time.
- Choosing the structure, activity and jurisdiction with a lawyer
- The whole licensing file until the license is issued
- Notarised articles of association, legally reviewed
- Opening the establishment file with the official authorities
Starts fromAED 9,000*
Depending on jurisdiction and activity — a written quote before any commitment.
Growth package
For those who have set up their company and want to settle in and operate with confidence.
- Everything in the Launch package
- Investor residency + family and employee residencies
- Preparing the bank account file and accompanying you to the interview
- Registration for corporate tax and VAT
Starts fromAED 15,000*
Depending on jurisdiction and activity — a written quote before any commitment.
Protection package
For those who built their company and want to sleep easy every night.
- Everything in the Growth package
- Partnership and employment contracts drafted to protect your share
- An annual legal review of your contracts and obligations
- A lawyer who answers you in any dispute or critical decision
InvestmentCustom quote
We design the protection to fit your company — your first consultation is free.
Why formation under lawyers' supervision, not a broker?
Most formation companies just sell you paperwork. We protect your investment — because every formation file goes through lawyers from our partner Ben Khadem & Partners.
| The traditional brokerCompletes the transaction… then disappears | The Tadween wayWe form your company like a case: airtight | |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | ✕ Sells you the cheapest license without explaining its risks | ✓ We choose the right structure with you, legally and tax-wise, before any paperwork |
| Contracts | ✕ Ready-made contracts that don't protect your share in a dispute | ✓ Formation and partnership contracts drafted by lawyers that actually protect you |
| Fees | ✕ Fees that appear later and were never mentioned at the start | ✓ A written quote — the full cost from day one |
| Support | ✕ No one answers when things get complicated | ✓ The legal team stays with you after setup and doesn't disappear |
A defining decision
Mainland, free zone or offshore? Where do you set up your company?
Three paths for setting up a company in the UAE, three different philosophies. Hover over them and discover which one was designed for your ambition.
Mainland
To work inside the UAE with full freedom
Mainland — the whole local market is yoursA license from the Department of Economy lets you deal with the local market and government entities without restrictions — the widest option for most activities.
- Direct access to the UAE market and government tenders
- Full foreign ownership for most activities
- Flexibility in the number of visas depending on the size of the business
- Offices anywhere — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah
Free zone
Full ownership and fast procedures
Free zone — start fastDozens of specialised free zones: 100% foreign ownership, fast procedures, and benefits designed for your sector — ideal for cross-border business.
- Full 100% foreign ownership, always
- Specialised zones: media, technology, trade, logistics
- Fast setup procedures and flexible packages
- Ideal for international trade and remote services
Offshore
For international business and asset management
Offshore — a quiet structure for a global ambitionFor companies operating outside the UAE: a low-cost structure, high privacy, and flexible asset management — with no need for a physical office.
- Low setup and running costs
- High privacy for the ownership structure
- Ideal for intellectual property and asset management
- No physical office needed in the country
SETUP LOCATIONS
Choose the emirate that fits your plan
Explore company setup considerations across the UAE.
The company setup steps in brief
01
Free consultation
We understand your activity and goals in 30 minutes.
02
Choosing the path
We recommend mainland, free zone or offshore.
03
A written quote
The full, itemised cost before any commitment.
04
Applications and approvals
We submit the applications and follow up with the authorities.
05
License and contract
You receive your license and the notarised articles of association.
06
Residency and bank
We complete the residencies and the bank account opening.
The cost of setting up a company in Dubai
Three paths, one trust.
Starting prices for each path — and the final quote is in writing before you commit to anything.
Mainland
Starts from15,000* AED
- Department of Economy license
- Articles of association reviewed by lawyers
- The investor's residency file
- Bank account opening support
Free zone
Starts from12,500* AED
- Choosing the best zone for your activity
- License + articles of association + notarisation
- The residency and visa file
- Bank account and tax registration support
Offshore
Starts from9,000* AED
- The full offshore company setup
- The registered agent and official address
- A legally reviewed ownership structure
- International bank account guidance
* Indicative prices, for a starting point only — the final quotation is provided in writing, itemised line by line, before any commitment. Learn what the cost consists of · Calculate your cost
Business activities
Which activity will you start with? We choose the right license for you.
The leading activities investors set up in Dubai — and the licenses each activity needs.
2026
Technology and AI
The fastest-growing sector — flexible tech licenses and specialised free zones.
Technology and AI2026Real estate and development
Record demand for brokerage and property management — under a sound legal structure.
Real estate and development2026E-commerce
A market expanding daily — an e-commerce license and investor residency together.
E-commerce2026Consulting and professional services
Your expertise is your capital — a professional license with a low entry cost.
Consulting and professional servicesLearn before you launch
Your business formation guide, written by lawyers.
Clear answers in simple language, with no complicated jargon.
How do you start a business and set up a company in Dubai?
The three decisions that determine the success of setup, and its steps from idea to license.
Read the guideWhat does setup really cost? No surprises
The components of government fees and service fees — and how to spot hidden fees before signing.
Read the guideFrom the license to the Golden Visa
Residency paths for the investor and their family, with the documents and realistic timelines.
Read the guideContracts that protect your share before you need them
Why a contract drafted by a lawyer differs from a ready-made one, and what happens in a dispute.
Read the guideTalk to a lawyer before you sign anything.
Thirty minutes with a formation adviser — we understand your venture and map the right path and the real cost. No obligation.
Straight answers
Common questions, clear answers.
How much does it cost to set up a company in Dubai?
Indicative starting prices are AED 9,000 for offshore, AED 12,500 for a free zone and AED 15,000 for mainland, and the activity determines the final price. We give you a written, itemised quote before any commitment.
How long does setup take?
From a few days to a few weeks, depending on the licensing authority and the activity. We give you the realistic timeline for your case in the free consultation.
Can I set up a company in the UAE without being present?
In many cases yes, through a notarised power of attorney that we follow up for you. Some residency steps, such as the medical test and biometrics, require you to be present.
What is the difference between mainland and a free zone?
Mainland lets you deal directly with the local market, while a free zone suits international business with full ownership. We recommend the best fit once we understand your activity.
Do you help with residency and a bank account?
Yes. We prepare and follow up your residency files, and prepare your bank account file and accompany you to the interview. The decision to open the account rests with the bank.
How do I make sure there are no hidden fees?
We give you a written, itemised quote before any commitment: what you see is what you pay.
Why set up my company under lawyers' supervision?
Because your contracts and company structure decide the fate of your investment in any dispute. Specialist lawyers build them right from day one and stay with you afterwards.
Still have a question?
Talk to a lawyerThirty minutes with a formation adviser. No obligation.
The first step
Your first consultation is free.
Tell us about your idea — we reply within working hours with a clear roadmap.
Request a callback
Fill the form and our adviser will call you back.
Call us+971 50 722 0216WhatsAppFast reply in working hoursEmailinfo@tadween.ae
Our locationsDeerfields Mall & Bawabat Al Sharq Mall — Abu Dhabi