Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about UAE business setup, licensing, visas, and our services.
Mainland: Allows you to trade directly in the UAE market, require a local service agent for some activities, and operate across all 7 emirates. Freezone: 100% foreign ownership, tax exemptions, but typically restricted from trading directly in the UAE mainland market without a distributor. Offshore: No physical office required, primarily used for holding companies, asset protection, and international trade — no UAE local trading rights.
The best Freezone depends on your business activity, budget, and visa requirements. Popular options include IFZA and SHAMS (budget-friendly, flexible), DMCC (commodities, trading), JAFZA (logistics, import/export), DIFC (financial services), and KIZAD (manufacturing, industrial). Axiscrest analyzes your specific needs and recommends the most cost-effective and strategically aligned Freezone for you.
Yes. Since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reforms, foreigners can own 100% of mainland companies in many activities. All Freezone and Offshore entities already allow 100% foreign ownership. Our consultants will confirm the specific ownership structure available for your activity.
Typically: valid passport copy of all shareholders and directors, passport-size photos, Emirates ID (for UAE residents), proof of address (utility bill or bank statement), business plan (for certain activities), and any professional certifications for licensed activities (medical, legal, etc.). We provide a full personalized checklist once we assess your setup type.
We maintain active relationships with the Department of Economic Development (DED) for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ajman mainland setups, as well as Freezone authorities including IFZA, SHAMS, DMCC, JAFZA, KIZAD, RAKEZ, DAFZA, Meydan, and DIFC/ADGM. This allows us to ensure the fastest possible approvals.
Costs vary widely by Freezone and activity type. Freezone packages start from approximately AED 12,500–18,000/year for a basic single-shareholder license. Mainland setups range from AED 15,000–30,000+ depending on the emirate and activity. We offer a transparent, all-inclusive quote with no hidden fees — covering license, registration, visa eligibility, and government charges.
Freezone setups can be completed in as little as 3–7 business days with all documents ready. Mainland setups typically take 7–14 business days. Offshore setups can be done in 2–5 days. Complex activities requiring special approvals (healthcare, education, financial services) may take 3–6 weeks.
Yes. UAE trade licenses are renewed annually. Renewal costs are typically 60–80% of the initial setup cost. We provide renewal reminders and handle the entire renewal process on your behalf, including visa renewals, to keep your business fully compliant.
Yes. A UAE trade license entitles you to sponsor residence visas — the number of visas depends on your license type, office space, and Freezone rules. Most packages include 1–3 investor visas. Employee visas can be added based on your visa quota. UAE residency visas are typically valid for 2 or 3 years and are renewable.
Bank account opening in UAE has become more stringent since 2020. We guide you through the entire process — selecting the right bank for your business type (local banks like Emirates NBD, ADCB, Mashreq, or international banks), preparing KYC documentation, drafting business plans, and accompanying you to meetings if needed. We have established relationships with key banking relationship managers to streamline approvals.
Some fintech and neo-bank solutions (like Wio, Mashreq Neo, or international banks with UAE presence) allow remote account opening. Traditional UAE banks generally require in-person visits. We advise on the best solution based on your situation — whether you're a UAE resident or a non-resident owner.
Yes. We assist with the UAE Golden Visa application process for investors, business owners, professionals, and entrepreneurs who meet the qualifying criteria (typically AED 2M+ real estate investment or approved business investment). We also handle the 5-year and 10-year Green Visa categories for skilled professionals and entrepreneurs.
Not always. Many Freezones offer flexi-desk, virtual office, and shared workspace options that satisfy the office requirement for your license at a much lower cost than a dedicated office. Mainland companies may need a tenancy contract (Ejari) depending on the activity. Offshore companies do not require a physical office at all. We help you choose the most cost-efficient option.
Our digital solutions include: custom website and web application development, mobile app development (iOS & Android), e-commerce platform setup (Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento), SEO and performance marketing, CRM implementation (Salesforce, HubSpot), ERP integration, and full digital transformation consulting. We also build bespoke digital infrastructure for UAE-based businesses looking to scale regionally.
Absolutely. We offer full-stack digital branding — from logo and brand identity design to website development, social media setup, and content strategy. Our team builds professional, conversion-optimized websites with UAE-specific SEO so your business is found by the right audience online from day one.
We offer: AI-powered customer service chatbots, document processing automation using OCR and NLP, predictive analytics dashboards, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for repetitive workflows, custom Large Language Model (LLM) integrations for internal knowledge bases, and AI-driven marketing personalization tools. Our solutions are tailored to your specific business processes and ROI objectives.
Most clients see measurable efficiency gains within 45–90 days of deployment. For document processing and customer service automation, cost reductions of 30–60% are common within the first quarter. Full ROI realization typically occurs between 6–12 months depending on the scale of implementation. We provide detailed ROI projections before any project begins.
As of June 2023, UAE Corporate Tax is set at 9% on taxable profits exceeding AED 375,000. Qualifying Freezone entities that comply with substance requirements can still benefit from a 0% tax rate on qualifying income. We provide corporate tax structuring advice to ensure your entity is optimally positioned for the new tax regime.
UAE VAT is 5% and applies to businesses with taxable supplies exceeding AED 375,000 annually (mandatory registration) or AED 187,500 (voluntary registration). Most Freezone entities trading internationally may have zero-rated or exempt transactions. We connect you with certified UAE tax consultants to ensure full VAT compliance from day one.
Unlike document-processing consultants, Axiscrest is a full-service strategic partner. We combine business setup with long-term growth consulting — covering AI automation, digital marketing, e-commerce, banking, and corporate governance. Our clients get a single trusted partner for both the formation of their company and everything needed to make it grow sustainably in the UAE market.
Still have questions? Our consultants are available 24/7.
