Business Setup Overview
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Overview
DIFC Foundation
DIFC Prescribed Company
Over the last 20 years, the UAE has become a global business hub, known for its location, diversification, and investor-friendly environment. From boosting all economic sectors like tourism, real estate, logistics, and trade to providing a stable platform, the UAE has attracted significant foreign investment and economic growth. Each Free Zone has its own authority, like the Dubai Zone Authority, which is responsible for company registration and issuing business licenses for foreign-owned companies. Setting up a business in a UAE Free Zone offers UK entrepreneurs zero tax on operational costs, ownership, profit repatriation, zero-profit tax, and full foreign ownership, making it an ideal choice for UK SMEs and startups to expand globally with ease.
Each Free Zone has its own authority—like Dubai Free Zone Authority—which is responsible for company registration and issuing business licenses to foreign owned companies.
With modern infrastructure, tax-free benefits, and streamlined processes, UAE Free Zones offer strategic financial benefits for UK businesses looking to go global. UAE Free Zone company formation offers many strategic financial benefits for UK investors, such as:
100% Foreign Ownership allows UK nationals to own their companies fully without local sponsorship.
Zero Corporate Tax and No Tax on Operational Costs Maximizes profits for UK investors by eliminating corporate and operational taxes.
Full Profit Repatriation enables UK entrepreneurs to transfer profits back home without restrictions.
Confidentiality in Business Operations provides a secure environment for sensitive ventures, appealing to UK startups.
Access to International Markets offers UK companies easy access to global markets, especially for export and service providers.
Lower Renewal and Setup Fees Reduce business expenses for UK SMEs compared to other regions.
Single Company Setup simplifies the setup process for UK entrepreneurs with long-term business plans.
Staff Visas, Employment, and Admin Services support UK businesses expanding abroad with visa and staff management.
Business activity decides what kinds of operations you will have for your company; therefore, choosing business activities becomes important during the UAE free zone business setup. Therefore, choose a suitable free zone company from the various free zones available.
Additionally, to choose from various trade licenses, the first step will be for you to decide on the nature of your business and which industry you want to serve. Moreover, the trade licenses you can choose from are commercial, consultancy services, educational, media, E-Commerce, freelancer, manufacturing, and industrial.
Moreover, for a freezone business setup, you can apply for two types of legal structures. However, you must ensure your business activities and type of business align with the legal structure you are applying for. Additionally, these two types of legal structures are Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ LLC) or a Free Zone Establishment (FZE).
Additionally, choose an appropriate trade name and get it approved by DED. Please ensure that your name is distinguishable from others because it presents your business identity. Consider the following before choosing any name, and those are:
Moreover, you can choose the location per your preference from the 40+ free zones available in the country. However, your office space can be chosen only after you have mentioned the employee number and the nature of your business. Additionally, you have the option to partially furnished office or a partially furnished office.
Moreover, be ready with everything submitted all the essential documents to the respective authority, and make sure you have read all the mandatory requirements. Therefore, prepare all the documents, such as the application form and plan for your business, a copy of the trade license application registration form, and a specimen signature of the company’s shareholders.
Submit all the documents and pay the fee to get the license. For UK entrepreneurs setting up a UAE Freezone company, it’s important to keep track of the payment structure as the cost may vary depending on the free zone and business activity. Many UK investors prefer free zones with flexible payment plans and low startup fees to minimize the initial capital outflow.
Colour copy of shareholder(s)’ passport and visa, if applicable
Application form
Business plan
Board resolution
Memorandum and Articles of Association (MAA)
Corporate account opening form
Board of directors’ resolution for opening of account and signatories to the account
Company’s certificate of incorporation
Share certificate
Passports of all partners in the company
The UAE’s free zones are highly popular among UK entrepreneurs and business owners for establishing companies, thanks to their tax-free status and free trading ports, allowing full ownership by the individual setting them up, irrespective of nationality.