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Dubai company formation for UK founders

Start your Dubai company from the UK, with one team on the ground

Free zone or mainland licence, UAE residence visa, bank account support and accounting. We handle the paperwork remotely and stand next to you in Dubai when you land.

250+ companies set up 20 yrs corporate experience Office & team in Dubai English & Turkish

Who we help

Three kinds of UK client, three different setups

Relocating

You're moving to Dubai

Company, residence visa and life admin in one plan, so you arrive with the essentials already moving.

  • Licence plus investor or employment visa
  • Emirates ID, medical and biometrics booked for you
  • Bank account and accounting set up from day one

Staying in the UK

You're building an international business

A UAE entity for clients in the Gulf, Middle East or beyond, set up without leaving the UK.

  • Remote free zone formation
  • Structure reviewed against how and where you'll run it
  • We work alongside your UK accountant

Türkçe destek

You're a Turkish-speaking founder in the UK

The same service, explained in Turkish or English, whichever you prefer. One contact person throughout.

  • Türkçe ön görüşme
  • Documents explained in both languages
  • WhatsApp updates in either language

What's included

From choosing a structure to filing your first return

Structure advice

Free zone or mainland, licence type and activity codes matched to your business.

Company formation

Application, documents and local coordination with the authority.

Residence visa

Investor or employment visa, medical, biometrics and Emirates ID.

Digital bank support

Application preparation for UAE digital banks and payment platforms.

Traditional bank support

Introductions and compliance file preparation for high-street UAE banks.

Tax & compliance

Corporate tax and VAT registration, ongoing filings.

Accounting

In-house bookkeeping and year-end accounts after setup.

After-setup support

Renewals, amendments, extra visas and changes as you grow.

Software & SaaSConsulting & agenciesE-commerceTrading & re-exportTech companiesLogistics & textiles

Free zone or mainland

Most UK founders start in a free zone

Both allow 100% foreign ownership for most activities. The difference is where you can trade and what it costs.

Usually recommended

Free zone company

Setup
Fully remote
Best for
International clients, online and service businesses
Budget
Lower entry cost, packages to suit
Office
Flexi-desk options available

IFZA · Meydan · DMCC · RAKEZ · Ajman · UAQ

For local trade

Mainland company

Setup
Partly in person
Best for
Selling directly to UAE customers, shops, physical operations
Budget
Higher, office lease usually required
Office
Physical premises in Dubai

Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)

How it works

Five steps, one contact person

  1. Free consultation

    We look at your business model, clients and where you'll live.

  2. Structure

    Free zone or mainland, licence and activity codes.

  3. Itemised quote

    Government fees and our service fee, listed separately.

  4. Application

    We prepare the documents and coordinate locally.

  5. Bank, visa & tax

    Bank applications, residence visa and tax registration.

Licence in around 5 working days once documents are complete.

Tax, plainly

Corporate tax follows where your company is run

Living in the UK doesn't rule out UAE corporate tax for your company. What decides it is where the company is managed and where the work is done.

UAE corporate tax

  • 0% on taxable profit up to AED 375,000, 9% above it.
  • 0% on qualifying income for free zone companies that meet the conditions.
  • No personal income tax on salary in the UAE.
  • VAT is 5%, with registration above the turnover threshold.

When your profits fall under UAE tax

  • Key decisions are made in the UAE, with board meetings held in Dubai.
  • The people who manage the company day to day are based in the UAE.
  • The company has real substance there: office, contracts and bank account.
  • The work isn't carried out through a fixed place of business in the UK.

UK corporation tax for comparison: 19%–25%

What stays the same if you live in the UK

  • Salary and dividends you take are taxed in the UK as personal income.
  • A company run day to day from the UK can be UK tax resident and pay UK corporation tax.
  • Work done in the UK can create a taxable UK presence for the company.
  • We plan the structure with you and your UK accountant. Take independent UK tax advice before you set up.

Packages

With or without a UAE residence visa

Your quote lists government and free zone fees line by line, so you can see exactly what goes to the authority and what goes to us.

Company only

from £1,950 / setup

  • Trade licence and company documents
  • Fully remote, no travel needed
  • Digital bank application support
  • WhatsApp updates and one contact person
  • Suits founders staying in the UK
Get my quote

Company + residence visa

from £4,650 / setup

  • Everything in Company only
  • Investor residence visa and establishment card
  • Medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID booked for you
  • One short trip to Dubai
  • Suits founders moving to Dubai
Get my quote

Add-ons: in-person support in Dubai (airport pick-up, we come with you to every appointment), accounting, and traditional bank account support.

Why us

A Dubai firm, not a reseller

Office in Dubai

A licensed firm with a local team that handles your file in person.

One contact person

You deal with the same person from first call to licence.

In-house accountants

Bookkeeping and tax filings stay with the team that set you up.

Fintech experience

Practical knowledge of how UAE banks and payment providers onboard.

Live updates

Every step confirmed on WhatsApp, so you're never chasing.

On the ground

We meet you in Dubai and come with you to appointments.

Questions

Before you get started

Can I set up a Dubai company without travelling?

Yes. A free zone company can be formed fully remotely. If you also want a UAE residence visa, you'll need a short trip to Dubai for the medical test and biometrics.

Is a bank account guaranteed?

No one can guarantee it. We prepare your application and compliance file, but the final decision rests with the bank or payment provider.

Will my company pay UAE or UK corporate tax?

It depends on where the company is managed and where the work is done. A company run from the UAE, with decisions and day-to-day management there, falls under UAE corporate tax (0% up to AED 375,000, 9% above). A company run from the UK can be treated as UK tax resident. We plan this with you before setup.

Can I keep living in the UK?

Yes. The Company only package is designed for that. Your personal income from the company is still taxed in the UK, and the company needs to be managed from the UAE to fall under UAE corporate tax.

What is the difference between the two packages?

Company only gives you a licensed UAE company, set up remotely. Company + residence visa adds a UAE investor visa and Emirates ID, which needs one short trip to Dubai for the medical test and biometrics.

Do I need a local Emirati partner?

Not for free zone companies. On the mainland, most activities now allow 100% foreign ownership; a few regulated activities still have restrictions.

How long does it take?

Around 5 working days for the licence once your documents are complete. Visa and bank account timelines depend on the authorities and the bank.

Is accounting included?

No. Accounting is an ongoing service after setup, priced separately.

Free consultation

Tell us what you're planning

We'll come back to you with the structure we'd recommend and a first cost estimate.

WhatsApp+971 50 357 0734
Emailinfo@dubaisetupuk.com
HoursMon–Sat, 09:00–18:00 Dubai time
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