Anyone from around the world, subject to AML and security checks. Free-zone companies allow 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor or partner, and you can start with a single shareholder.

Get an instant quote using our online platform based on your activity. Visas, office space and extra activities are priced on top, so your final cost depends on your setup — a specialist confirms the exact figure at consultation.

Licensing typically takes between 1 and 3 working days, depending on the licence type, your documents and whether any activity needs prior approval.

No. The application, document submission and licence issuance can be completed remotely without visiting Abu Dhabi; physical presence is only needed for the biometrics stage if you’re taking a UAE residence visa.

Masdar City centres on technology, clean energy, sustainability, life sciences, AI, mobility and space — but it also accepts many other types, including consulting, media, healthcare and education. A single licence can hold multiple activities.

Yes. The company can sponsor investor and employee visas, and the quota depends on your office arrangement — a flexi-desk typically supports one to two visas, with larger offices supporting more.

There’s no personal income tax in the UAE. If your company earns only qualifying free-zone income and meets the corporate tax rules, you can qualify for 0% corporate tax; standard UAE corporate tax and 5% VAT can apply to non-qualifying activity, so it’s worth consulting an experienced tax professional.

Yes. Once your licence and incorporation documents are issued, you can open a corporate account — the One-Stop Shop team helps with introductions and the paperwork banks require.

Generally a passport copy (valid 6+ months), a photo, proof of address, and — if you’re setting up a branch or subsidiary — the parent company’s incorporation documents. Some regulated activities in areas like education, energy or research need prior approval.