The UAE is the Middle East's most established business destination — 47+ free zones, 0% personal tax, and a formation process completed in under a week. Melqart identifies the right structure, handles the process, and gets you operational fast.
Understanding Your Options
Your structure determines where you can trade, your tax position, your banking relationships, and how quickly you can start. Get it right from the beginning — restructuring later is costly and time-consuming. Melqart assesses your business model and makes a clear recommendation before you commit to anything.
| Factor | Free Zone | Mainland (LLC) |
|---|---|---|
| Trade within UAE | Zone or international only* | ✓ Unrestricted — anywhere in UAE |
| Government contracts | ✗ Not eligible | ✓ Fully eligible |
| Foreign ownership | ✓ 100% always | ✓ 100% (most sectors since 2021) |
| Corporate tax | 0% on qualifying income (QFZP) | 9% on profits above AED 375,000 |
| Office requirement | Flexi-desk or virtual accepted | Physical Ejari lease required |
| Setup time | 3–7 business days (typical) | 2–4 weeks |
| Visa allocation | Fixed quota by package/office | Scales with office — no ceiling |
| Business activities | Zone-approved list only | 2,000+ DET activity codes |
| Banking | Tier 1 zones fastest (DMCC, DIFC) | Moderate — more documentation needed |
| Best for | International trade, consulting, digital, holding | UAE domestic market, retail, F&B, government |
* Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025 now allows free zone companies to apply for mainland trading permits without a separate entity — narrowing the gap significantly for many business types.
Not sure which structure fits your business?
Melqart provides a free structure assessment — no commitment required.Top Free Zones — 2026
With 47+ free zones, selecting the right one is one of the most important decisions in your UAE setup. Your zone determines your banking relationships, visa quotas, tax position, and how counterparties perceive your business. Here are the zones Melqart works with most — and exactly who each one is right for.
Named Global Free Zone of the Year for 9 consecutive years. 25,000+ companies from 180 countries. The gold standard for banking credibility — major UAE banks actively onboard DMCC companies. Dual licensing allows simultaneous free zone and mainland operations without a separate entity.
Choose DMCC if: You need institutional banking from day one, plan to raise investment, run a trading company, or need room to scale your team.
* First year estimate includes licence, registration, flexi-desk, and 1 investor visa. Source: DMCC official schedule of charges, 2026.
The only UAE free zone under English common law with its own courts — DIFC Courts, enforceable in 65+ countries. The highest-prestige address in the UAE. No bank declines a DIFC company. Essential for any business whose clients or investors require English law contracts and international enforceability.
Choose DIFC if: You're in financial services, legal, investment management, or need English law jurisdiction for institutional counterparties.
* Wide range reflects significant variation between non-regulated and regulated entity types. Contact Melqart for a specific quote.
Abu Dhabi's international financial centre — also under English common law. Located adjacent to ADIA, Mubadala, and ADQ — the world's largest sovereign wealth funds. If your business involves fundraising, asset management, or government-linked partnerships, ADGM's location is a strategic advantage no other zone can replicate.
Choose ADGM if: You're in asset management, private equity, family offices, or fintech — and proximity to Abu Dhabi's sovereign capital matters.
* Costs vary significantly by entity type. Regulated entities carry higher fees. Contact Melqart for a tailored quote.
The most cost-effective reputable free zone with a Dubai address. Licence from AED 12,900 (zero visa). Up to 3 activities on one licence at no extra charge. Banks widely accept IFZA companies with standard KYC. The go-to for startups and SMEs wanting a credible Dubai company without the DMCC premium.
Choose IFZA if: You're a startup, consultant, or SME wanting a legitimate Dubai company at a competitive price with up to 6 visas.
* First year estimate with 1 visa: AED 14,900 licence + establishment card + visa processing. Verified from IFZA agent pricing, 2026.
Established 1985 — the region's oldest and largest free zone, directly connected to Jebel Ali Port, the world's 9th largest container port. If your business moves goods — imports, exports, warehousing, or manufacturing — no zone in the UAE can match JAFZA's infrastructure and customs relationships.
Choose JAFZA if: You import, export, warehouse, or manufacture goods — the undisputed choice for goods-based businesses needing port access.
* Costs vary significantly depending on warehouse, office, or industrial space. Contact Melqart for a quote based on your requirements.
The UAE's most affordable legitimate free zone — 30,000+ companies from 100+ countries. Leader for physical infrastructure at the lowest cost: warehouses, factories, and industrial plots at a fraction of Dubai prices. Popular with freelancers and early-stage startups testing their model before committing to a Dubai address.
Choose RAKEZ if: Cost is the primary concern, you need physical industrial space, or you're a freelancer testing your model before scaling.
* Banking at RAKEZ can be challenging — some major UAE banks decline RAKEZ applications. Factor this into your decision if banking access is important.
Which free zone fits your business?
We assess your activity, visa needs, and banking requirements — then give you a specific recommendation and cost breakdown.The Hidden Factor Most Miss
UAE banks formally assess your free zone as part of their KYC review. Choosing a cheaper zone to save AED 10,000 upfront can result in 3–6 months of failed bank account applications and minimum balance requirements of AED 200,000+. Melqart factors banking outcomes into every zone recommendation — not just setup cost.
The Hidden Factor Most Miss
UAE banks formally assess your free zone as part of their KYC review. Choosing a cheaper zone to save AED 10,000 upfront can result in 3–6 months of failed bank account applications and minimum balance requirements of AED 200,000+. Melqart factors banking outcomes into every zone recommendation — not just setup cost.
Visas & Residency
Every UAE company gives the owner the right to apply for an investor visa — UAE residency, an Emirates ID, and the ability to sponsor your family and employees.
How It Works
Most UAE companies are operational within 3–4 weeks of engaging Melqart. We manage every step — you never have to visit a government office, chase a document, or wonder what happens next.
The process starts with a free consultation where we assess your business model, recommend the right structure, and give you a clear cost breakdown before you commit to anything.
Start the Process →We assess your business model, target market, visa plan, and banking needs — then recommend the right zone or mainland structure with a full cost breakdown.
Trade name reserved and checked for conflicts. All documents prepared, translated where required, and submitted to the relevant authority.
3–7 days (free zone) or 2–4 weeks (mainland). Your legal foundation — everything else follows from this document.
We coordinate all three simultaneously — investor visa, Emirates ID processing, and bank account submission — to minimise your overall timeline.
Ready to get started today?
Most UAE companies are operational within 3–4 weeks of engaging Melqart.Start Your UAE Company
Tell us about your business — the activity, team size, and jurisdiction — and a Melqart advisor will come back within 24 hours with a specific structure recommendation and cost breakdown. No paperwork, no commitment.