Business Setup Services
Company Formation in Dubai,
Abu Dhabi & Beyond.
From trade license to fully operational we handle UAE mainland, free zone, offshore, KSA market entry, PRO services, and document attestation. One team, everything covered.
SERVICES WE COVER
Every service under one roof
Most business setup firms hand you a license and walk away. We stay involved , from the initial trade name through to your first visa, bank account, and beyond.
| Service | What We Cover |
|---|---|
| Business Setup in Dubai | Mainland, free zone, and offshore - all jurisdictions covered. |
| Business Setup in Abu Dhabi | ADIO, KIZAD, mainland and Abu Dhabi free zones. |
| Mainland Company Formation | Full UAE market access, government contracts, physical locations. |
| Free Zone Company Formation | 100% foreign ownership across 40+ UAE free zones. |
| Company Formation in KSA | Saudi market entry, Vision 2030 pathways, local registration. |
| PRO Services | Amer, Tasheel, GDRFA, ICP — all government transactions handled. |
| Document Attestation | MOFA, embassy legalisation, notarisation, and translation. |
| Bank Account Assistance | Introductions and support across leading UAE banks. |
Your Boarding Sequence
Four Gates. One
Destination.
Company setup involves a sequence of government interactions, document filings, and approvals.
Check-in
Discovery call
A 15-minute conversation about your activity, shareholders, visa needs, and timeline. You leave knowing exactly which structure suits you and what the process looks like — no vague timelines, no surprises.
Documents
We prepare everything
Trade name application, initial approval, Memorandum of Association, shareholder documents, and any activity-specific approvals. All prepared and filed by our team — same day, all digital.
Clearance
Government Submission
We file with DET, your free zone authority, or the relevant mainland body — then follow up directly. You stay informed; we handle the queues, the queries, and any back-and-forth.
Take-off
Licence issued. You’re operational.
Your trade license is in hand. From here we coordinate visas, banking introductions, office or flexi-desk, and accounting setup — so you arrive in business ready to trade, not still working through paperwork.
Your Boarding Sequence
Four Gates. One
Destination.
Company setup involves a sequence of government interactions, document filings, and approvals.
CHOOSE YOUR ROUTE
Mainland, free zone, or offshore?
The structure you choose affects where you can trade, how much you pay, and what you can do with your profits. Here’s what each one actually means — and who each one suits.
Mainland formation (The Domestic Route)
A mainland license lets you trade anywhere in the UAE without restriction. You can bid on government contracts, open retail locations across all emirates, and work directly with the local market. Following recent UAE reforms, most activities now allow 100% foreign ownership with no local partner required. If your business is built around the UAE domestic market, this is the right route.
Best for: Retail & F&B — Construction — Professional services — Government contracts
Free zone formation (The International Hub)
Over 40 free zones operate across the UAE, each with its own licensing focus, cost structure, and setup timeline. Free zones offer 100% foreign ownership by default, competitive tax treatment, and faster setup; typically 5 to 7 working days. Trade with the UAE local market requires a distributor arrangement, but for businesses with a regional or international focus, a free zone is often the most cost-effective starting point. We work with IFZA, DMCC, Meydan, DAFZA, RAKEZ, and more.
Best for: Consultancies — Tech & SaaS — E-commerce — Media & creative — Remote-first businesses
Offshore structure (The Long-Haul Holding Structure)
Offshore companies available through JAFZA and RAK ICC are lean, efficient vehicles for holding assets, IP, or managing international trade flows. There is no requirement for a physical office, and setup is typically the fastest of any structure. This is not a trading entity for the UAE market; it is a holding and structuring tool.
Best for: Holding structures — Asset protection — IP ownership — International trading
Abu Dhabi setup (The Capital Advantage)
Abu Dhabi has its own regulatory landscape and a growing number of competitive free zones — including ADIO-backed entities and KIZAD for industrial and logistics activities. For businesses that want a presence in the capital, or industries that benefit from Abu Dhabi-specific licensing, setup here often makes more sense than defaulting to Dubai.
Best for: Financial services — Energy & logistics — Industrial — Government-adjacent
KSA company formation (Your Gateway to the Gulf's Largest Market)
We handle company formation in KSA end-to-end: from choosing the right legal structure and registering with the Ministry of Investment (MISA), through to commercial registration, municipality licensing, and Saudisation compliance. KSA setup is more involved than the UAE. Documentation requirements are stricter, the regulatory bodies are different, and Saudisation (Nitaqat) obligations need to be planned for from day one. We make sure you go in prepared, structured correctly, and compliant from the start.
Best for: Businesses targeting the Saudi domestic market — Regional HQ structures — Retail & hospitality expansion — Construction & contracting — Professional services entering the Gulf
CHOOSE YOUR ROUTE
Mainland, free zone, or offshore?
The structure you choose affects where you can trade, how much you pay, and what you can do with your profits. Here’s what each one actually means — and who each one suits.
Mainland formation
A mainland license lets you trade anywhere in the UAE without restriction. You can bid on government contracts, open retail locations across all emirates, and work directly with the local market. Following recent UAE reforms, most activities now allow 100% foreign ownership with no local partner required. If your business is built around the UAE domestic market, this is the right route. Best for: Retail & F&B — Construction — Professional services — Government contracts
Free zone formation
Over 40 free zones operate across the UAE, each with its own licensing focus, cost structure, and setup timeline. Free zones offer 100% foreign ownership by default, competitive tax treatment, and faster setup; typically 5 to 7 working days. Trade with the UAE local market requires a distributor arrangement, but for businesses with a regional or international focus, a free zone is often the most cost-effective starting point. We work with IFZA, DMCC, Meydan, DAFZA, RAKEZ, and more. Best for: Consultancies — Tech & SaaS — E-commerce — Media & creative — Remote-first businesses
Offshore structure
Offshore companies available through JAFZA and RAK ICC are lean, efficient vehicles for holding assets, IP, or managing international trade flows. There is no requirement for a physical office, and setup is typically the fastest of any structure. This is not a trading entity for the UAE market; it is a holding and structuring tool. Best for: Holding structures — Asset protection — IP ownership — International trading
Abu Dhabi setup
Abu Dhabi has its own regulatory landscape and a growing number of competitive free zones — including ADIO-backed entities and KIZAD for industrial and logistics activities. For businesses that want a presence in the capital, or industries that benefit from Abu Dhabi-specific licensing, setup here often makes more sense than defaulting to Dubai. Best for: Financial services — Energy & logistics — Industrial — Government-adjacent
KSA company formation
We handle company formation in KSA end-to-end: from choosing the right legal structure and registering with the Ministry of Investment (MISA), through to commercial registration, municipality licensing, and Saudisation compliance. KSA setup is more involved than the UAE. Documentation requirements are stricter, the regulatory bodies are different, and Saudisation (Nitaqat) obligations need to be planned for from day one. We make sure you go in prepared, structured correctly, and compliant from the start. Best for: Businesses targeting the Saudi domestic market — Regional HQ structures — Retail & hospitality expansion — Construction & contracting — Professional services entering the Gulf
Your Boarding Sequence
Setting up a company in Dubai is a sequence, not a scramble. Here's how the journey works when you fly with us.
Check-In
Discovery Call We understand your business, your goals, and your timeline. You leave the call knowing exactly what jurisdiction, license, and visa structure fits you.
Ticket Issued
Documentation We prepare every document: trade name application, initial approval, MOA, shareholder documents, and any activity-specific approvals.
Security Clearance
Government Submissions We submit and follow up with DET, the relevant free zone authority, immigration, and any specialist regulators. You stay informed; we handle the queues.
Boarding
License Issued Your trade license is issued. The company is legally yours. Time to fasten your seatbelt.
WHY FLY ARABIAN STARTWAYS
We’ve done this 40,000 times.
We know every route
Licensing rules, free zone activity codes, and visa categories change regularly. Our consultants track every update, so your setup doesn’t get delayed by something that shifted last month.
Government-approved
Officially authorised by GDRFA, Ministry of Human Resources, ICP, and Dubai Health Authority. When we submit your application, it goes through approved channels, not around them.
No hidden charges
You get a clear, itemised quote before anything is filed. What we quote is what you pay, no surprise charges once the process is underway.
One advisor, start to finish
No handovers, no call centres. A single dedicated advisor manages your file from the first call through to your visa stamp and bank account confirmation.
Questions people usually ask us first
Straight answers to the things most founders want to know before they pick up the phone.
How much does it cost to set up a company in Dubai?
Setup costs vary depending on jurisdiction, business activity, visa count, and office requirements. A free zone license for a solo founder is a very different cost to a mainland company with five employees and a physical office. We don’t quote ballpark figures. Send us your details and we’ll return a clear, itemised proposal within 24 hours.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in the UAE?
Yes. All free zone companies allow 100% foreign ownership by default. Following recent UAE Company Law reforms, most mainland activities now also permit 100% foreign ownership without a local partner. A small number of regulated activities still require a UAE national arrangement, we’ll tell you upfront if yours is one of them.
How long does the business setup process take?
Free zone setups are typically 5 to 7 working days. Mainland setups run 7 to 15 working days. Offshore structures are usually completed within 3 to 5 working days. KSA timelines vary by entity type. We’ll give you a realistic timeline for your specific setup at the discovery call.
Do I need to be in the UAE to get started?
No. The majority of the process can be handled remotely. In most cases you’ll need to visit the UAE once for biometrics and visa stamping. Offshore structures are often fully remote with no physical presence required at all.
What’s the difference between a mainland and a free zone company?
Mainland lets you trade anywhere in the UAE without restriction. Free zones give you 100% ownership, faster setup, and lower costs — but limit your ability to trade directly with the UAE local market. The right answer depends on where your customers are and how you want to operate. We work through this with you on the first call.
Can I get a UAE residency visa through my company?
Yes. Your trade license entitles you to apply for an investor residency visa, which gives you a UAE residence stamp and Emirates ID. You can also sponsor employee visas and dependent visas based on your license type and office allocation. We manage the full visa process as part of every setup package.
What is a free zone and which one should I choose?
Free zones are designated economic areas with their own licensing authority and regulatory rules. There are over 40 across the UAE — each with a different focus, cost structure, and permitted activity list. IFZA and Meydan are popular for competitive pricing. DMCC suits commodity trading. The right choice depends on your activity and budget — we’ll recommend the best fit for your situation.
Do I need a physical office to set up a company?
Not necessarily. Many free zones offer flexi-desk and shared workspace options that satisfy the address requirement without committing to a full office lease. Mainland companies require a tenancy contract (Ejari) for most activities. Offshore structures typically require no physical space at all.
Can you help with opening a corporate bank account?
Yes. Corporate banking in the UAE requires more documentation and due diligence than many founders expect. We have working relationships with a number of UAE banks and can facilitate warm introductions alongside your application, which makes a meaningful difference to turnaround time.
What is document attestation and do I need it?
Attestation is the process of authenticating documents — typically educational certificates, marriage certificates, or commercial documents — for use in the UAE. It usually involves verification from the country of origin, followed by UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attestation. We handle the full attestation chain, including translation where required.
What are PRO services?
PRO (Public Relations Officer) services cover the ongoing government transactions that every UAE business needs to maintain — visa processing, Emirates ID applications, Ejari registration, Tasheel filings, ICP smart services, and more. Instead of navigating multiple government portals yourself, our PRO team handles every transaction on your behalf.
Can Arabian Startways help with company setup in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme has significantly expanded the pathways available to foreign businesses, including the Regional Headquarters (RHQ) programme. KSA company formation is a more involved process than UAE setup, with different regulatory bodies and documentation requirements. We guide you through the right structure and registration process for the Saudi market.
Continue Your Journey
Already set up? Or planning beyond the launch? Explore our other services.
Trade License Renewal
PRO Services
Golden Visa
Bank Account Assistance
Office Space & Ejar
VAT & Corporate Tax Registration
Your Setup Profile
Crafting your personalised business roadmap.
Every detail you share helps us tailor the right structure — so nothing gets missed.
