The wrong UAE structure costs you in fees, blocked banking, or visas you can't get. We pick the right one first — Mainland (LLC, Sole Establishment), Free Zone (DMCC, IFZA, RAKEZ, Dubai Internet City), or Offshore (JAFZA Offshore, RAK ICC) — then run the trade licence, Emirates ID, residence visas, and bank-account opening to the finish. We form the entity and handle the filings; the relevant UAE authority grants the licence and visas.
From $2,500 Free Zone, Mainland, or Offshore — quoted to your structure
Entity formed
State-filed & compliant
Papers in order
Bylaws · EIN · agreements
Stays compliant
Annual filings tracked
Trusted by founders and brands worldwide
How it works
Sixty to ninety minutes. We weigh Mainland against Free Zone against Offshore for your business activity, visa needs, ownership structure, and corporate-tax position. The structure decision drives everything that follows, so we settle it first.
We reserve the trade name, draft the Memorandum of Association and shareholder resolutions, and secure initial approval and the final trade licence. Free Zone typically runs two to three weeks; Mainland three to five weeks after DED approval and notarisation.
Once the licence issues, we run Emirates ID and residence-visa applications for shareholders, then support corporate bank-account opening with banks such as Emirates NBD, ADCB, and HSBC, which usually takes four to eight weeks.
What it costs
UAE Company Formation starts from $2,500. UAE setup cost depends on the structure — Free Zone, Mainland, or Offshore — and the business activity and visa count. We scope it on the structure call and quote the attorney fee in writing before any work begins, so you approve the fee upfront. UAE government, free-zone, registry, and visa fees are passed through at cost.
What's included
GTC forms the entity and prepares the filings. The relevant free-zone or mainland authority grants the licence and the bank decides on the account; no licence, visa, or account outcome is guaranteed. We coordinate a tax adviser where needed — this is not tax or investment advice.
Get started
Tell us about your business and a GTC attorney will recommend the right jurisdiction and email a flat-fee quote scoped to your structure.
Brand details
Your preferred trade name. We check availability with the relevant UAE authority.
Mainland can trade across the UAE and sponsor unlimited visas; Free Zone gives 100% ownership and tax advantages but limited mainland trading; Offshore is a holding vehicle with no physical presence.
Your main business activity — this drives the license type and which free zone fits best.
Visa quota depends on the structure and office space. Free Zones bundle a set number; Mainland scales with office size.
UAE bank-account opening is the trickiest step; we guide you through HSBC, Emirates NBD, ADCB, and others.
Why GTC
An attorney weighs Mainland, Free Zone, and Offshore against your activity, visa needs, and corporate-tax position before any fee is paid. The wrong zone is what causes blocked banking and visas you can't get.
Trade name, MOA, initial approval, trade licence, Emirates ID, residence visas, and bank-account support are sequenced as one engagement, so nothing stalls waiting on a missing approval.
We register the entity for UAE corporate tax and, where the turnover threshold applies, VAT, and we model the corporate-tax position on the structure call. We coordinate a tax adviser where the position is complex — we don't give tax advice.
After formation we hand over a clear renewal calendar — trade-licence renewal, visa renewals, and ongoing filings — so the company stays in good standing year on year. Renewal can stay an ongoing service if you want it carried.
Your Customer Success Team
Every GTC client gets a dedicated Account Manager and a Senior Account Manager who learn your business and stay with you from first email to final filing. They are named people who pick up the phone and already know your matter, so every step moves forward without delay.
Your day-to-day point of contact, who coordinates every matter, keeps things moving, and already knows your file. They have your full history, so you start every conversation where the last one left off.
Senior oversight on strategy and escalations, stepping in as your needs grow, so every important detail stays on track.
A named person, on email or a call, at every step.
How we compare
| What you get | GTC | Online filing services | Doing it yourself |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney recommends the structure before you pay | A DIY filing service (LegalZoom-style): no — you pick blind | A DIY filing service (LegalZoom-style): no — you pick blind | |
| Mainland, Free Zone, and Offshore all on the table | DIY filing service: limited to its panel of zones | DIY filing service: limited to its panel of zones | |
| Trade licence, Emirates ID, and visas run end to end | |||
| Corporate bank-account opening support | |||
| Flat-fee quote scoped to your structure upfront | A big law firm: hourly, opaque, far higher rate | A big law firm: hourly, opaque, far higher rate | |
| Annual compliance and renewal handover | DIY filing service: renewal upsells, no calendar | DIY filing service: renewal upsells, no calendar |
Attorney recommends the structure before you pay
Mainland, Free Zone, and Offshore all on the table
Trade licence, Emirates ID, and visas run end to end
Corporate bank-account opening support
Flat-fee quote scoped to your structure upfront
Annual compliance and renewal handover
The timeline
Free Zone setups move fastest; Mainland and bank accounts take a little longer. We sequence the work so nothing waits on a missing approval.
Mainland vs. Free Zone vs. Offshore decided against your activity, visa needs, ownership, and corporate-tax position.
Trade name reserved, MOA and shareholder resolutions drafted, and initial approval secured from the relevant authority.
Final licence issued — Free Zone in two to three weeks, Mainland in three to five weeks after DED approval and notarisation.
Emirates ID and residence visas processed, then corporate bank-account opening with Emirates NBD, ADCB, or HSBC — typically four to eight weeks.
In their words
One accountable team across every practice, operating since 2016.
UAE Company Formation FAQ
UAE company formation
Set up in the UAE with the right structure, not the costly one. Book a structure consultation and a GTC attorney will recommend Free Zone, Mainland, or Offshore and send a flat-fee quote scoped to your setup.
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