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With AceZone, you can get your trade license and company registration completed in as little as 3-5 business days for Free Zone companies and 7-10 business days for Mainland companies, depending on the jurisdiction and business activity chosen.

The timeline typically breaks down as follows: Day 1-2: Trade name reservation and initial approval. Day 2-3: Preparation and submission of MOA (Memorandum of Association) and all incorporation documents. Day 3-5: License issuance and company registration. Additional services like visa processing typically take another 5-7 working days after the license is issued.

Certain business activities that require special approvals from regulatory bodies (such as healthcare, education, or financial services) may take longer — usually 2-4 additional weeks. Our team works to expedite every step and keeps you updated throughout the entire process.

Mainland companies are registered under the Department of Economic Development (DED) of each emirate. They can trade directly anywhere in the UAE market, take government contracts, and have no restrictions on the number of visas they can apply for. Since 2020, mainland companies also allow 100% foreign ownership for most business activities.

Free Zone companies are registered within a specific free zone authority (e.g., DMCC, IFZA, SPC). They offer significant advantages including: 0% corporate and personal income tax guarantees, 100% foreign ownership, 100% repatriation of profits, and no currency restrictions. However, free zone companies traditionally cannot trade directly with the UAE local market — they need a local distributor or a dual license.

Key differences at a glance: Mainland offers unlimited market access but requires a physical office; Free Zone provides tax benefits and easier setup but with trade limitations. Offshore companies are ideal for international trade, asset protection, and holding structures, with no physical office requirement in the UAE. Our consultants will analyze your business model and recommend the best option for your specific needs.

The UAE Golden Visa offers 5-year and 10-year long-term residency, allowing you to live, work, and study in the UAE without the need for a national sponsor. Here are the main eligibility categories:

Investors: Real estate investors with property worth AED 2 million or more; or public investment fund investors with deposits of AED 2M+. Entrepreneurs: Owners of SME projects worth at least AED 500,000, or startup founders with approved incubator projects. Specialized Talent: Doctors, engineers, scientists, IT professionals, artists, and athletes who have exceptional achievements in their fields. Outstanding Students: High school students with 95%+ GPA, or university students from top-ranked institutions with 3.75+ GPA.

Key benefits include: No sponsor required, ability to sponsor family members (spouse and children of any age), stay outside the UAE for unlimited periods without losing residency, and the visa is renewable. Recent updates in 2025/2026 have expanded eligibility to include more categories of professionals and reduced the minimum investment thresholds for certain programs. AceZone handles the entire application process from document preparation to submission.

The good news is that most of the company formation process can be completed remotely. Many free zones like IFZA, SPC, Meydan, and Shams offer fully digital onboarding, meaning you can sign documents electronically and receive your trade license without visiting the UAE.

For Mainland companies, some steps may require physical presence or a Power of Attorney (POA) arrangement where AceZone acts on your behalf. We regularly assist international clients in setting up companies entirely from abroad through POA arrangements.

However, there are certain steps that require physical presence: obtaining your Emirates ID (biometric data collection), visa stamping in your passport, opening a corporate bank account (most banks require an in-person meeting), and signing certain notarized documents. We coordinate all these appointments efficiently so you can complete everything in a single short visit to the UAE, typically 2-3 business days.

Business setup costs in the UAE vary based on several factors including jurisdiction type, business activity, number of visas, and office space requirements. Here's a general breakdown:

Free Zone Companies: Starting from AED 5,750 to AED 25,000+ depending on the free zone. This typically includes trade license, company registration, and establishment card. Popular affordable options include SPC (from AED 5,750), IFZA (from AED 6,200), and Shams (from AED 5,750). Premium zones like DMCC start from AED 15,000+.

Mainland Companies: Starting from AED 12,000 to AED 30,000+. Costs include DED trade license, initial approval, MOA drafting, company stamp, and a Memorandum of Association. Additional costs apply for office space (Ejari), which is mandatory for mainland companies.

Additional costs to budget for: Visa processing (AED 3,000-5,500 per visa), Emirates ID (AED 370), medical test (AED 320), office/flexi-desk rental (AED 3,000-15,000/year), PRO services for document clearing. We guarantee 100% transparent pricing — the quote we give you is exactly what you pay, with no hidden fees or surprise charges.

Absolutely! Opening a corporate bank account in the UAE can be one of the most challenging steps, and this is where AceZone's strong banking relationships make a significant difference. We assist with both corporate and personal bank account opening across all major UAE banks.

Banks we work with include: Emirates NBD, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), Mashreq Bank, RAK Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD), Dubai Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, and Wio Bank (digital). Each bank has different requirements, minimum deposits, and approval timelines — we match you with the right bank for your business profile.

What we handle for you: Preparation of the complete document package (trade license, MOA, passport copies, proof of address, business plan), scheduling appointments with relationship managers, accompanying you to bank meetings when needed, and following up on your application until the account is activated. Typical timeline is 1-3 weeks from application to account activation, though some digital banks like Wio can approve within 48 hours.

We also assist with multi-currency account setup, payment gateway integration (for e-commerce businesses), and POS terminal arrangements for retail businesses.