Why Are UK Businesses Setting Up in Dubai in 2026?
Key Highlights UK nationals can own 100% of most mainland companies and all free zone companies in Dubai, with no local sponsor for the majority of activities. Free zone setup typically starts from AED 12,000 to AED 34,000 in year one; mainland setup runs from AED 15,000 to AED 50,000 or more. Corporate tax is […]
Free Zone or Mainland: Which UAE Company Structure Fits Your Business?
Key Highlights Free zone companies suit businesses that don’t need to sell directly inside the UAE mainland market. Mainland companies let you trade with any UAE customer and bid on government tenders without restriction. Corporate tax applies at 0% up to AED 375,000 in taxable income and 9% above it. Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZP) […]
How to Get an Industrial License for EV Manufacturing in UAE
Key Highlights EV and auto-component manufacturers in the UAE need two separate approvals. A mainland industrial trade license and a federal MoIAT Industrial Production License are both required before legally operating a factory. The MoIAT Industrial Registry was established under Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2022. It unlocks customs duty exemptions on machinery, equipment, and […]
Tax Benefits for IT Companies in UAE Free Zones: 0% Corporate Tax, R&D Credits and Substance Rules
Key highlights Free zone IT companies get 0 percent Corporate Tax only if they qualify as a qualifying free zone person; it is not automatic for every free zone entity The new UAE R&D Tax Credit offers 15 to 50 percent back on qualifying research expenditure starting tax periods from 1 January 2026 Standalone Economic […]
Best Free Zone for EV Business Setup in Dubai: JAFZA vs Dubai South vs IFZA Compared
Key Highlights JAFZA suits EV manufacturing and export businesses through direct Jebel Ali Port access and DP World ownership. Dubai South offers a documented 5 to 15 working day setup path for EV trading and showroom licenses. IFZA fits lean EV trading or consultancy setups with tiered, lower-cost visa packages. Every free zone requires a […]
Documents Foreign Founders Need Before Registering a Company in Dubai (2026)
Key Highlights Individual shareholders need five core documents to start: passport, photo, address proof, business plan, and visa copy. Corporate shareholders face extra requirements, including incorporation certificates, board resolutions, and audited financials. Foreign corporate documents must pass through a four-step attestation chain before UAE authorities accept them. A 2026 Commercial Companies Law amendment now allows […]
Best Payment Gateway for SaaS Companies in Dubai in 2026: Stripe Alternatives Compared
Key Highlights Stripe requires a UAE trade license or freelancer permit for every business type before it will activate your account. CBUAE-licensed gateways like Ziina, Telr, and Network International offer regulated alternatives for UAE SaaS billing. Stripe’s fund freeze typically comes from internal risk scoring, not a UAE regulatory requirement. A merchant of record model […]
How to Start a FinTech Startup in Dubai: Licensing Paths, Costs, and Golden Visa Options (2026 Guide)
Key highlights Fin-tech founders must choose between a DFSA-regulated DIFC license for payments, lending, or wallets, and a non-regulated free zone license for software tools. Free zone license promotions currently start around AED 11,900 for a one-year package, though pricing is time-bound and subject to change without notice. Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2025 now […]
What the New UAE Corporate Tax Law Means for Startups and Entrepreneurs in 2026
Key Highlights The 0% tax holiday for revenues under AED 3M expires strictly on December 31, 2026. Startups must plan for a 9% tax in 2027. Starting Jan 1, 2026, unclaimed tax credits older than 5 years are forfeited permanently to the government. New 2026 amendments limit FTA audits to 5 years (except for fraud), […]
UAE Tax Refund Deadline Approaching: What Businesses Need to Know About January 2026 Changes
Key Highlights Businesses have only 5 years from the end of a tax period to claim VAT refunds, with a special one-year grace period ending December 31, 2026 for expired credits.? The Federal Tax Authority can now deny input tax deductions if suppliers are involved in tax evasion, making supplier verification a compliance necessity.? Self-invoicing […]