M&A, corporate strategy and major deals in the region
RAKEZ is one of the UAE’s most affordable and versatile free zones, offering SME packages from AED 5,999 with flexible warehouse options in Ras Al Khaimah. RAKEZ supports over 15,000 companies across trading, services, industrial, and consulting
ADGM is Abu Dhabi’s international financial free zone, operating under an independent English common-law framework regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA). ADGM offers non-financial licences from USD 5,500 (approximate
DIFC is the UAE’s premier financial free zone under English common law. Non-regulated licence from AED 65,000, Innovation Licence USD 1,500/year.
JAFZA is the UAE’s premier logistics free zone with 9,000+ companies adjacent to Jebel Ali Port. General trading licence AED 30,000/year.
DMCC is the UAE’s largest free zone with 25,000+ companies in JLT Dubai. Trading company setup costs AED 35,000-45,000 year one.
The cheapest UAE business licence in 2026 costs AED 4,888 at Ajman NuVenture. Among Dubai free zones, Meydan starts at AED 12,500 and IFZA at AED 12,900.
A UAE offshore company is registered in JAFZA Offshore, RAK ICC, or Ajman Offshore for international business, asset holding, and IP structures. 0% tax on international income.
A UAE free zone company can be incorporated within 5 to 10 working days. A mainland company takes 2 to 4 weeks. An offshore company takes 5 to 7 working days.
The UAE offers three main company structures: LLC, sole establishment, and branch office. An LLC is the default for most foreign-owned businesses with limited liability.
No. Since the 2021 reform, most UAE mainland businesses no longer require a local sponsor or a 51% UAE national partner. The Local Service Agent requirement has also been removed in most activities.
