Question 1

Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in the UAE?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Free zone companies have always allowed full foreign ownership, and since the 2021 amendments to the Commercial Companies Law, 100% foreign ownership is also available for most mainland activities. A small number of strategic-impact activities still require an Emirati partner or agent — we confirm the position for your specific activity before you commit to a structure.

Question 2

Should I set up in the mainland or a free zone?

Accepted Answer

It depends on where your customers are. A mainland licence lets you trade directly with the UAE local market and bid for government contracts without a distributor. A free zone licence is usually faster and cheaper to establish and is ideal for international trade, consulting and holding structures, but selling into the local market normally requires a mainland distributor or a branch. We compare both against your activity and give you the total cost of each.

Question 3

How long does UAE company formation take?

Accepted Answer

A straightforward free zone licence is typically issued within a few working days of complete documentation. Mainland formation usually takes longer because of notarisation and external approvals, and any activity requiring a regulatory approval — for example financial services, healthcare or education — adds time. We give you a realistic timeline for your specific case at consultation stage rather than a generic promise.

Question 4

Do I need a physical office to get a trade licence?

Accepted Answer

Some form of registered address is always required, but the threshold varies. Many free zones accept a flexi-desk or shared workstation package that satisfies the licensing requirement at low cost, while mainland licences generally require a tenancy contract registered through Ejari. Your visa quota is usually tied to the office space you hold, so we size the package to the number of visas you actually need.

Question 5

Do I have to be in the UAE to set up my company?

Accepted Answer

Not for the whole process. A large part of formation can be completed remotely with notarised and attested documents or a power of attorney. You will normally need to be in the country for biometric capture and medical screening when your residence visa is processed, and most banks require the signatory to attend in person or complete a video verification before the account is activated.

Question 6

What does it cost to set up a company in Dubai?

Accepted Answer

Cost is driven by jurisdiction, business activity, number of shareholders, visa quota and office type, so any single headline figure is misleading. Use our cost calculator for an indicative range in a couple of minutes, and a consultant will confirm the exact figure — including government fees — in writing before anything is filed.

Question 7

How long does a UAE residence visa take?

Accepted Answer

For a standard investor or employment visa, the entry permit is usually issued within a few working days, and medical screening, Emirates ID biometrics and stamping typically complete within one to two weeks after that, depending on appointment availability. Golden Visa applications take longer because they require additional verification of the qualifying criteria.

Question 8

Do I need to leave the country to activate my visa?

Accepted Answer

Often not. Many applicants can change status in-country, which avoids an exit and re-entry. Whether that option is open to you depends on your current visa type and nationality, so we confirm it at eligibility stage before you book anything.

Question 9

How many visas can my company sponsor?

Accepted Answer

Free zone packages generally include a fixed visa allocation that can be increased by upgrading your facility, while mainland quotas are assessed against your registered office space. If headcount is a priority, tell us the target at setup and we will size the licence and premises to it.

Question 10

Can I sponsor my family on an investor visa?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Once your own residence visa is issued and your Emirates ID has been produced, you can sponsor a spouse, children and in some cases parents, subject to salary or income thresholds, attested marriage and birth certificates, and suitable accommodation evidenced by a registered tenancy contract.

Question 11

What is the medical fitness test for?

Accepted Answer

All residence applicants over eighteen complete a medical fitness screening — a blood test and chest X-ray — at an approved centre. It is a standard requirement for the visa to be stamped, and results are normally available within a few working days, with same-day options at some centres.

Question 12

How long does it take to open a UAE corporate bank account?

Accepted Answer

For a well-prepared file with a clean profile, a few weeks from submission to activation is a realistic expectation. Complex ownership structures, higher-risk activities, or shareholders from jurisdictions requiring enhanced due diligence take longer. Anyone promising a guaranteed few days is describing an outcome no bank actually guarantees.

Question 13

Why do UAE banks reject corporate account applications?

Accepted Answer

The most common reasons are an unclear or undocumented source of funds, a business activity outside the bank's current risk appetite, a jurisdiction the bank has paused onboarding for, shareholder nationalities requiring enhanced due diligence, or simply an incomplete file. Most of these are addressable before submission, which is precisely why the preparation stage matters more than the application itself.

Question 14

Do I need to visit the UAE to open the account?

Accepted Answer

In most cases yes. Banks generally require the authorised signatory to attend in person for verification and signature capture, though some now offer video verification for eligible profiles. We confirm each bank's current requirement before you book travel.

Question 15

Is there a minimum balance requirement?

Accepted Answer

Almost always. Minimum average balance requirements vary considerably by bank and account tier, and falling below the threshold triggers a monthly charge rather than closure. We include the minimum balance and fee schedule in the shortlist so you can weigh it against the account's features.

Question 16

Can Corpenta guarantee my account will be approved?

Accepted Answer

No, and neither can anyone else — the approval decision belongs to the bank's compliance function alone. What we can do is materially improve the odds by matching you to banks that onboard your profile and submitting a file that answers their questions in advance.

Question 17

What does a market entry study actually contain?

Accepted Answer

Market size and demand evidence for your specific segment, competitor and pricing analysis, the regulatory and licensing requirements that apply to your activity, the distribution and hiring options open to you, a cost model for the first two to three years, and a recommended entry route with the risks stated. It ends in a decision, not a summary.

Question 18

Do you help with fundraising?

Accepted Answer

We prepare businesses to raise: financial model, cap table and structure review, data room preparation and investor materials. We are advisors rather than a licensed placement agent, so we do not solicit investment or arrange deals on your behalf.

Question 19

Can you advise on expanding out of the UAE?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The UAE is often used as a regional headquarters for GCC, wider MENA, African and South Asian expansion. We advise on holding structures, substance, intra-group arrangements and the practical route into each target market, and coordinate local counsel where a jurisdiction requires it.

Question 20

How are consultancy engagements priced?

Accepted Answer

Defined-scope engagements such as a market entry study or a financial model are quoted as a fixed fee against a written scope. Ongoing advisory runs on a monthly retainer. We do not bill open-ended hourly work without an agreed cap.

Frequently asked questions

Jump to a topic

Business Setup

Visa Assistance

Corporate Banking

Business Consultancy

Still not sure?