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UAE business setup guides

Clear, practical guides to setting up and running a company in Dubai and the UAE, from free zones and visas to banking and tax.

A smiling founder in a bright, colourful office
A smiling founder at Dubai MarinaHow to Set Up a Business in Dubai in 2026: A Step-by-Step GuideHow to set up a business in Dubai, step by step: choosing your activity, mainland or free zone, trade name, license, visas and bank account.Read the guide
A relaxed founder at his desk in a colourful officeMainland vs Free Zone vs Offshore: Which UAE Company Is Right for You?Mainland vs free zone vs offshore in the UAE: ownership, where you can trade, office, visas and tax compared, with examples of which suits your business.Read the guideTwo founders laughing in a meeting with a laptopCheapest Free Zones in the UAE: How to Find the Lowest-Cost Setup in 2026Which are the cheapest free zones in the UAE? Where low-cost setups usually are, what really drives the price, and how to compare quotes without hidden costs.Read the guideA woman looking out at the Dubai skyline from the waterfrontBest Free Zones in Dubai for Your Business (2026 Guide)The best free zones in Dubai by business type: trading, consulting, tech, e-commerce, media, finance and logistics, with what each zone is known for.Read the guideA calculator, pencil and colourful charts on a bright deskUAE Corporate Tax Explained: A Guide for Small BusinessesUAE corporate tax for small businesses: the 9% rate, the AED 375,000 threshold, free zone 0%, Small Business Relief, registration and filing deadlines.Read the guidePassports and colourful travel postcardsHow to Get a UAE Residence Visa Through Your Own CompanyHow to get a UAE residence visa through your own company: investor and partner visas, entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, family sponsorship and documents.Read the guideA smiling founder paying with a card on her phoneHow to Open a Corporate Bank Account in the UAEHow to open a corporate bank account in the UAE: documents, choosing a bank, the application steps, common reasons for rejection and tips to get approved.Read the guideTwo people reviewing and signing documents at a tableHow to Make a Will in the UAE: A 2026 Guide for ExpatsHow to make a will in the UAE as an expat: who can register, DIFC and Abu Dhabi options, what to include, documents, costs and the steps to registration.Read the guideA mother hugging her smiling daughterWhat Happens If You Die Without a Will in the UAE?What happens if an expat dies without a will in the UAE: default inheritance rules, frozen bank accounts, property, company shares and guardianship of children.Read the guideA smiling father with his young child outdoorsDIFC Will vs Abu Dhabi Will: Which Is Right for You?DIFC will vs Abu Dhabi (ADJD) will compared: who can register, assets covered, process, language and cost, with examples of which suits your situation.Read the guide

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