Best for
Founders who want full foreign ownership, a quick setup and a company that mainly serves clients outside the local market.
Free Zone Company Setup in the UAE with 100% Foreign Ownership
Want 100% foreign ownership, 0% corporate tax on qualifying income and a fast setup process? Skyo helps you choose the right free zone, prepare your license and open your corporate bank account, often within days. Share your details below for a free consultation.
At a glance
What you get
Help choosing the right free zone, preparing your licence application and opening a corporate bank account.
How we start
We compare a few zones against your activity and budget, then walk you through the shortlist.
01Overview
Free zone company setup in the UAE
The UAE has more than 40 free zones, each with its own activities, license types, visa quotas and fee structure. Choosing the right one affects your costs, your visa allowance and even which banks will open an account for you.
Skyo compares free zones against your business activity, budget and visa needs, so you only pay for what your business actually requires.
Free zone companies do not need a local UAE sponsor or partner, whatever your business activity.
You keep full control of shares, decisions and profits from day one.
Most free zone companies qualify for 0% corporate tax on qualifying income under the UAE free zone tax regime, alongside 0% personal income tax.
We confirm your qualifying activity status as part of setup, so your tax position is clear from the start.
Free zones such as IFZA, DMCC, RAKEZ, SHAMS and DIFC differ in cost, allowed activities, office requirements and reputation with banks.
We match you to the free zone that fits your activity and budget, not the one that pays the highest commission.
Your trade name has to meet the free zone authority naming rules and be available for registration.
We reserve your name and secure initial approval before you commit to a license package.
Free zone licenses generally cover trading, consultancy, service, industrial and e-commerce activities.
Most free zones allow multiple activities under one license, and we confirm which combination suits your business.
Free zones do not usually require a physical office. Flexi-desks, shared workspaces and virtual offices are accepted for most license types.
We help you choose an office option that satisfies your visa quota without overpaying for space you do not need.
Your visa quota depends on your license package and office size, from zero-visa packages to multi-visa packages for larger teams.
We process investor, employee and dependent visas once your license is issued.
Free zone companies can open corporate bank accounts in the UAE, though requirements vary by bank and business activity.
We prepare your documentation and introduce you to banks whose criteria match your business profile.
Free zone companies trading internationally can register for a customs code to import and export goods.
We handle customs registration alongside your license application where relevant.
Standard requirements include passport copies, passport photos and proof of address for each shareholder.
- Proposed trade names
- Shareholder and manager details
- Passport copies
- No objection certificate, if currently employed in the UAE
Free zone packages typically start from around AED 11,500 for a zero-visa license, rising to around AED 20,000 or more for packages that include one or more employee visas.
Additional business activities and visas are usually charged separately, and we provide a full cost breakdown before you commit.
Free zones suit businesses that trade internationally, need fast and affordable setup, or do not need to trade directly with UAE mainland customers.
If you need to serve UAE government contracts or trade freely across the mainland, mainland company setup may be a better fit, and we can advise on either.
Free zone licenses are renewed annually alongside visas and Emirates IDs.
We track your renewal dates and handle corporate tax registration and other compliance filings so nothing lapses.
02Our process
How Skyo approaches free zone company setup
At Skyo, we manage free zone company formation from free zone selection to your first invoice.
We compare the free zones that fit your activity and budget, then handle documentation, licensing and banking introductions. See our full range of business setup services or compare with offshore company formation.
Free Consultation
We learn about your business, target markets and budget to confirm free zone is the right fit.
Free Zone Comparison
We compare free zones against your activity, visa needs and cost expectations.
Trade Name and Initial Approval
We reserve your trade name and secure initial approval from the chosen free zone authority.
License Package Selection
We help you choose the license package and visa quota that matches your team size.
Document Submission
We prepare and submit your shareholder documents, application forms and fees.
License Issuance
We track your application through to trade license issuance.
Corporate Bank Account Support
We prepare your banking documentation and introduce you to suitable banks.
Visa Processing
We process investor, employee and dependent visas under your license quota.
Ongoing Compliance and Renewal
We manage license renewal, visa renewal and other annual compliance requirements.
03Why Skyo
Why Choose Skyo for Free Zone Company Setup
Not every free zone suits every business, and the cheapest package is not always the right one.
We look at your activity, visa needs, banking plans and growth timeline before recommending a free zone.
Skyo supports free zone company formation in the UAE with a focus on:
- Independent free zone comparison
- Transparent, itemised pricing
- Fast document turnaround
- Banking introductions
- Visa and Emirates ID processing
- Ongoing renewal and compliance support
We do not default every client to the same free zone. Your activity, visa needs and banking requirements decide the right fit, and if free zone is not right for you, we can also advise on mainland company setup or offshore company formation.
?Good to know
About Free Zone Company Setup
Free zone costs and timelines depend on the zone you choose, your license package and your visa quota. The answers below cover the questions we hear most often.
Free zone packages typically start from around AED 11,500 for a zero-visa license, with packages that include employee visas starting from around AED 20,000.
Your final cost depends on the free zone, activity and number of visas, and we provide a full breakdown before you commit.
Yes. Every free zone in the UAE allows 100 percent foreign ownership, with no requirement for a local sponsor or partner.
No. Most free zones accept flexi-desks, shared workspaces or virtual offices, so a dedicated physical office is rarely required.
Your visa quota depends on your license package and office size, ranging from zero-visa packages to multi-visa packages for larger teams.
Generally no. A free zone company usually needs a local distributor or a mainland branch to trade directly with mainland UAE customers, and we can advise on the right structure if this applies to you.
→Related
Explore more
→Related reading
From our blog
→ Next step
Ready to
make some
noise?
Tell us where you want to go. We'll help you work out how to get there.
Let's talk