Start Your Business in the UAE — the Right Way
Mainland, Free Zone or Offshore — we choose the optimal structure for your goals and handle the licence, approvals and paperwork from start to finish.
What's included
- Jurisdiction & activity consultation
- Trade name reservation & initial approval
- Trade licence issuance
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Establishment card
- Guidance on visa & bank account next steps
The right structure, set up right
Setting up in the UAE means choosing the right jurisdiction, activity and legal structure before a single document is filed. Get it wrong and you overpay or hit restrictions later. eTaxBridge advises on the best fit, then does the heavy lifting — so you get a compliant, bank-ready company without the guesswork.
Three ways to set up in the UAE
The right structure depends on where your customers are and how you'll operate. Here's a quick guide — we'll confirm the best fit in your free consultation.
Mainland Company
Trade freely across the entire UAE market
- Sell directly to the UAE market with no restrictions
- 100% foreign ownership on most activities
- Eligible for government & corporate contracts
- Ideal for retail, services and UAE-facing businesses
Free Zone Company
100% ownership, built for global trade
- 100% foreign ownership & full profit repatriation
- Fast, cost-effective setup with flexi-desk options
- Tax-efficient for international trade & services
- 40+ free zones — we match you to the right one
Offshore Company
For holding & international structuring
- Ideal for asset holding and international business
- No physical office required in the UAE
- Privacy and efficient corporate structuring
- Note: does not grant UAE residence visas
How we help with business setup
Jurisdiction advice
Mainland vs free zone vs offshore — matched to your activity, ownership and budget.
Licensing & approvals
Trade name reservation, initial approval, activity selection and final licence issuance.
Documentation
MOA, shareholder docs, attestations and all government paperwork prepared correctly.
Bank-ready setup
We structure the company so your corporate bank account application is far smoother.
Simple, transparent steps
- 1
Free consultation
We understand your activity, goals and budget, then recommend the right structure.
- 2
Choose structure & name
Select jurisdiction, business activity and reserve your trade name.
- 3
Approvals & documents
We file initial approvals and prepare your incorporation documents.
- 4
Licence issued
Receive your trade licence — ready for visas and a bank account.
An authorised partner of leading UAE free zones
Frequently asked questions
Still have questions? Talk to an advisor — the first consultation is free.
It depends on where your customers are. Mainland is best if you sell directly within the UAE market; a free zone is ideal for trading internationally with 100% ownership and tax efficiencies. We recommend the right fit in your free consultation.
Yes. Free zones have always allowed 100% foreign ownership, and most mainland activities now permit it too. We confirm this for your specific activity.
Many free zone licences can be issued within a few working days once documents are ready. Mainland timelines vary by activity and approvals required.
For many structures, much of the process can be started remotely. Certain steps (like bank account opening) may require a visit. We'll tell you exactly what's needed.
Other ways we help
Ready to start your UAE journey?
Book a free, no-obligation consultation. We'll map out the right setup, visas, banking and bookkeeping for your goals.