Do business in the UAE. Without the mess.
Zero personal income tax, free zones with 0% corporate tax for qualifying activities, and 100% foreign ownership. Commenda gets you incorporated and compliant in a market where the rules actually favor growth.
Trusted by global businesses
Why United Arab Emirates
Why the UAE is a global business hub
The UAE has built one of the world's most business-friendly jurisdictions in under two decades. Free zones like DIFC, ADGM, DMCC, and JAFZA offer 0% corporate tax for qualifying activities, full repatriation of profits, and English common law courts. The 2021 Commercial Companies Law reform opened mainland operations to 100% foreign ownership across most sectors. Corporate tax of 9% applies only to taxable income above AED 375,000, with a 0% threshold below that level. No personal income tax. No withholding tax on dividends. For finance directors evaluating regional HQ or trading hub strategies, the UAE removes most of the friction that slows expansion elsewhere.
Explore UAE incorporation options- 9%Corporate tax rateApplies only to taxable income above AED 375,000. Zero below the threshold.
- 0%Personal income taxNo personal income tax for individuals in the UAE, regardless of nationality.
- 5%VAT rateOne of the lowest VAT rates among developed economies globally.
- 5-10Business days to incorporateFree zone company setup typically completes within 5 to 10 business days.
Product Suite
One platform
Every jurisdiction, no gaps
Built for finance teams running international operations without a dedicated compliance function. This is the infrastructure you should have had from day one.
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Entity Management
Formation, maintenance, and oversight for subsidiaries across 70+ countries.
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Global Indirect Tax
VAT, GST, and sales tax obligations tracked, filed, and confirmed.
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Transfer Pricing
Intercompany policy, documentation, and filing, built to OECD standards.
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Tax & Accounting
Consolidated financial reporting and local corporate tax filings. One audit trail.
Entity types
Choose the right structure for your business
Recommended
Free Zone Company (FZCO)
The standard structure for foreign investors entering the UAE. A Free Zone Company (FZCO) provides 100% foreign ownership, 0% corporate tax on qualifying activities, and full profit repatriation within a ring-fenced jurisdiction. Each free zone has its own regulator and license categories, so choosing the right zone depends on your industry and operational needs.
Benefits
- 100% foreign ownership with no local partner required
- 0% corporate tax for qualifying free zone activities
- Full repatriation of profits and capital
- English common law courts in DIFC and ADGM for dispute resolution
- Sector-specific free zones (DIFC for financial services, DMCC for commodities, JAFZA for logistics)
Key considerations
- Direct trade into the UAE mainland requires a local distributor or agent
- Physical office or flexi-desk typically required for free zone license
- Each free zone has its own fee structure and renewal requirements
- Activities outside the licensed scope require additional approvals
How it works
From kickoff to open for business in the United Arab Emirates
Incorporating in a new country means unfamiliar filings, local requirements, and moving parts across multiple vendors.
We handle all of it so you don't have to.
Day 1
Onboarding
Your details submitted once. Entity name checked, documents collected, filings kicked off. No back-and-forth.
Days 1–3
Entity confirmed
Incorporation done. Formation documents, company number, and registered address live in your Commenda dashboard.
Week 1–2
Tax setup
Tax registrations filed, banking guidance underway. Compliance calendar set for your jurisdiction.
Week 2
Open for business
You're operational in a new market. Without a single trip to a government office.
G2 Reviews
Rated by the teams using it
Scores from finance and legal leads handling compliance globally.
Entity Management
#1 Ranked9.6/ 10Set up your entity and keep it in good standing. Filings, records, and renewals tracked in one place.
Corporate Tax & Compliance
Top Rated9.1/ 10Every tax deadline on one calendar. Corporate returns and statutory filings handled without the back-and-forth.
Sales Tax & VAT/GST
Commenda Leads9.4/ 10Register for VAT, GST, and sales tax in every country you operate in, and manage it all in one place.
United Arab Emirates resources
Everything you need for your United Arab Emirates operations
Detailed guides on tax, compliance, and business structure in the United Arab Emirates.
- Incorporation
How to Incorporate in the UAE
Step-by-step guide to UAE company formation, free zone selection, and license types.
Read guide - Compliance
UAE Corporate Tax and VAT Compliance
Overview of UAE corporate tax obligations, VAT registration, and filing requirements.
Read guide - Free Zones
Choosing the Right UAE Free Zone
Compare DIFC, ADGM, DMCC, JAFZA, and other zones by industry and cost.
Read guide - Banking
Opening a Business Bank Account in the UAE
What UAE banks require from foreign-owned companies and how Commenda helps streamline the process.
Read guide
FAQ
Common questions
Not in most cases. Free zone companies have always permitted 100% foreign ownership. For mainland LLCs, the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reform removed the local partner requirement across most commercial sectors. Some regulated activities (such as certain professional licenses) may still require a UAE national service agent, but that is a service arrangement, not an equity stake.
The UAE introduced a 9% federal corporate tax in June 2023. This rate applies only to taxable income above AED 375,000. Income at or below that threshold is taxed at 0%. Free zone entities that earn qualifying income from free zone activities may continue to benefit from a 0% rate, provided they meet the substance and ring-fencing requirements.
Free zone companies cannot sell directly into the UAE mainland without going through a licensed mainland distributor or agent, or by establishing a separate mainland entity. If your primary market is UAE domestic customers, a mainland LLC or a mainland branch of your free zone entity is the more practical structure.
It depends on your industry and how you operate. DIFC and ADGM are built for financial services and professional services, with English common law courts. DMCC is suited to commodities and trading. JAFZA works well for logistics and manufacturing. Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City cater to tech and media companies. Commenda maps your activity type and budget to the optimal zone.
No. The UAE levies no personal income tax on individuals, regardless of nationality or residency. Salaries, dividends, and investment returns are not subject to personal tax. This makes UAE residency genuinely tax-efficient for founders and senior executives.
Free zone incorporation typically takes 5 to 10 business days once documentation is complete. Mainland LLC setup runs 2 to 4 weeks due to additional DED (Department of Economic Development) approvals. Commenda manages the process end to end, including document preparation, authority submissions, and license collection.
Join hundreds of international businesses growing fast with Commenda
Tell us where you're expanding and we'll scope the requirements, handle the filing, and keep your entity compliant, usually within 24 hours of kickoff.
