Mainland Company Setup
In the last two decades or more, UAE has emerged as the number one business destination in the Middle East, for foreign companies. The tax-free regime and the business-friendly policies of the rulers have brought multinationals and SMEs across industry verticals to the country in large numbers. This has created a cosmopolitan lifestyle in cities such as Dubai, which boasts of world-class shopping malls, hospitals, schools and residential complexes. Interestingly, most of the population speaks English making communication seamless across the country.
Free Zone Company Setup
While onshore companies have several restrictions on foreign ownership, Free Zones have no such restrictions and offer several advantages. Companies here can have 100% foreign ownership, need not pay taxes, and enjoy several privileges at the customs. All these factors have made the free zones, the most popular and suitable location in the Middle East to have international operations, which includes offices, factories and warehouses.
Offshore Company Setup
Mainland Company Formation or Free Zones are all about setting up offices or industries in the UAE, either as independent entities or as branches of the foreign office.
In addition to these, UAE offers a third option where global MNCs, or even an overseas company based out of a single country, can set up offshore companies in UAE. Being midway between the Far East and the West, UAE is the ideal location for a virtualized office or company setup Dubai. Unlike Mainland and Free zone companies which come with various restrictions, Offshore companies do not have any restriction, and are ideal for overseas companies who would like to invoice their international clients, from UAE. This helps them overcome trade and taxation barriers in their home country (or other countries), thereby increasing their reach to a global market and also optimize the cost of their offerings.