Trusted by Entrepreneurs in 40+ Countries — Dubai, UAE

Your Dubai company, ready in 72 hours.

Free Zone Formation for Remote Entrepreneurs

Set up your Dubai free zone company remotely — no flights, no local partner required. We match you to the right free zone (IFZA, Meydan, SHAMS, or DMCC), handle the paperwork, and deliver your trade license in as little as 72 hours.

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40+
Nationalities Served
100%
Foreign Ownership
0%
Corporate Tax
5 days
Average Setup
Who We Serve

Built for founders operating across borders.

Whether you're billing one client or scaling a distributed team, Dubai free zones are built for your model.

01
The Freelancer

You bill clients globally and need a legitimate business structure that doesn't lock you into one country's tax system. Simplicity and low cost are priorities.

→ Legitimate structure.
No tax lock-in.
02
The E-Commerce Founder

You run an online store and need a credible company to access payment processors, international suppliers, and reliable logistics partners.

→ Access payments,
suppliers & logistics.
03
The Digital Nomad

You work from different countries and want a stable registered address, a UAE residence visa option, and a structure with zero administrative drag.

→ Stable address.
UAE visa option included.
04
The Remote Consultant

You advise high-value clients across multiple jurisdictions and require a premium, credible legal structure with full legal clarity on substance requirements.

→ Premium credibility.
Full legal clarity.
The Process

Three steps.
No flights required.

Designed to remove every friction point. From first contact to receiving your license, the entire process runs remotely.

01 — Questionnaire

Answer five questions

We match every non-resident entrepreneur to the optimal free zone based on their business activity, visa requirements, and budget. Takes under two minutes.

02 — Advisory Call

Fifteen-minute consultation

A specialist walks you through your recommended UAE company formation structure, confirms the legal implications, and delivers a full cost breakdown — before you commit to anything.

03 — Formation

We manage the rest

We coordinate documents, applications, and approvals with your chosen Dubai free zone authority. Your trade license is delivered online — to your inbox, not a physical office.

Start the questionnaire → How long does it take? →
Free Zone Comparison

Which free zone fits your profile?

Your business activity, budget, and visa requirements determine the right jurisdiction. Not all free zones are equal.

A UAE free zone is a designated economic area offering 100% foreign ownership, 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, and full profit repatriation — with no requirement for a local UAE sponsor. There are over 45 free zones in the UAE, each governed by its own authority and suited to specific business types. For non-resident entrepreneurs, free zones are the most accessible and cost-effective way to establish a legitimate international business structure.

Choosing between IFZA, Meydan, SHAMS, and DMCC depends on four factors: your primary business activity, your visa allocation requirements, your setup budget, and the credibility profile you need for banking and client relationships. IFZA suits consultants and tech businesses with broader activity permits. Meydan is optimised for e-commerce and digital agencies. SHAMS offers the lowest entry cost for creative and media businesses. DMCC carries the most institutional weight, preferred by commodity traders and finance-adjacent businesses requiring maximum banking credibility.

IFZA Meydan SHAMS DMCC
Starting Cost (AED) From 12,900 From 12,500 From 11,500 From 20,000+
Setup Timeline 3–5 business days 3–5 business days 2–4 business days 5–10 business days
Best For Consulting, tech, services E-commerce, trading, media Creative, media, freelance Trading, commodities, finance
Visa Allocation Up to 6 visas Up to 3 visas Up to 2 visas Up to 6 visas
Remote Setup Fully remote Fully remote Fully remote Fully remote
Ideal Profile Solo founder, startup E-com, digital agency Media, content creator Established trader
Not sure? Take the 2-minute quiz →
Key Facts — UAE Free Zones
45+
Free zones operating across the UAE, each with its own regulatory authority and permitted activity list.
Source: UAE Ministry of Economy
#1
DMCC ranked #1 Global Free Zone for 9 consecutive years — the highest-credibility free zone address in Dubai.
Source: fDi Magazine
0%
Personal income tax in the UAE. No tax on salaries, dividends, or personal capital gains for residents and non-residents alike.
Source: UAE Federal Tax Authority
100%
Foreign ownership permitted in all UAE free zones — no local sponsor or UAE national shareholder required.
Source: UAE Companies Law
48 hrs
Minimum company formation timeline. Free zone companies can be incorporated remotely in as little as 48 hours via Meydan Free Zone.
Source: Meydan Free Zone Authority
0%
Corporate tax on qualifying free zone income under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 — UAE's Corporate Tax Law effective June 2023.
Source: UAE Ministry of Finance
Our Difference

We are not a form-filling service.

Three things that distinguish a proper advisory from a licence reseller.

01 — Legal

You know exactly what you're signing.

Unlike generic Dubai company formation platforms, Zonova's partner is a licensed UAE tax attorney registered in the UAE. Your structure is reviewed for compliance with both UAE free zone regulations and your home country's tax obligations. You receive a written legal summary before you proceed.

02 — Pricing

No invoice surprises. Ever.

Most UAE free zone advisory services obscure costs until the final invoice. Zonova provides a full itemised breakdown — government fees, free zone charges, and our advisory fee — before you commit. Transparent company setup costs, no surprises at renewal.

03 — Service

A real person. Not a ticket.

As a dedicated Dubai company formation specialist, we respond to all new enquiries within one business day. You speak with a real advisor — not a support ticket or automated system. We remain available and accountable from first call to license delivery.

Free Zone Finder

Find your ideal free zone in two minutes.

Answer five questions and we'll recommend the right structure for your business profile and budget.

Question 1 / 5

What best describes your business?

Select the closest match to your primary activity.

Question 2 / 5

Where are you currently based?

Your personal tax residency affects the recommended structure.

Question 3 / 5

Do you require a UAE residence visa?

A visa changes the licence type and overall cost.

Question 4 / 5

What is your approximate setup budget?

All-in, including government fees and advisory.

Question 5 / 5

What is your intended timeline?

This helps us prioritise your enquiry appropriately.

Your Recommendation
IFZA
International Free Zone Authority

Based on your profile, IFZA offers the most appropriate structure.

    Book a Free 15-min Call → WhatsApp

    French nationals: please see our partner site for French tax advisory. Zonova serves non-French international entrepreneurs only.

    Common Questions

    Frequently asked questions.

    No visit to Dubai is required. Free zones like IFZA, Meydan, and SHAMS allow 100% remote company formation. All documents are submitted digitally — including your signed application, passport copy, and proof of address. Your trade license is issued and delivered electronically. Zonova coordinates the entire submission with the free zone authority on your behalf. The majority of our clients complete their full setup without travelling to the UAE, typically within 3–7 business days.
    A Dubai free zone company is a legal business entity incorporated within one of the UAE's 45+ designated economic zones. Each free zone has its own regulatory authority, separate from the UAE mainland. Key advantages include: 100% foreign ownership (no local sponsor required), 0% corporate tax on qualifying income under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022, 0% personal income tax, full profit repatriation, and significantly simplified incorporation procedures compared to mainland company formation.
    Yes, non-resident free zone company owners can open UAE corporate bank accounts. Traditional UAE banks (Emirates NBD, FAB, ADCB) are increasingly selective and may require a brief in-person visit. However, UAE-licensed alternatives such as Wio Business and ADIB offer remote onboarding for free zone companies. International multi-currency accounts (Wise Business, Airwallex) also integrate well. Zonova advises on the most appropriate banking solution based on your nationality, business activity, and free zone structure.
    IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) starts from AED 12,500–14,000, setup in 5–7 days, suited for consultants, tech, and digital services with broad activity permits. Meydan Free Zone starts from AED 12,500, sets up in 48–72 hours, with 100+ permitted activities — best for e-commerce and digital agencies. SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) starts from AED 5,750 and accepts 160+ nationalities — the most cost-effective option for creative and media businesses. DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) starts from AED 30,000, hosts 26,000+ companies, and has been ranked the #1 Global Free Zone for 9 consecutive years — ideal for trading, commodities, and businesses requiring maximum banking credibility.
    Yes, when structured correctly. Incorporating a company in a UAE free zone is entirely lawful. The UAE is FATF-compliant and engaged with OECD transparency frameworks. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022, qualifying free zone companies benefit from 0% corporate tax on eligible income and 0% personal income tax. The critical requirement is genuine economic substance — your company must conduct real business activity in the UAE. Your personal tax obligations in your country of residence still apply. This is why legal advisory from a licensed UAE tax attorney is included in every Zonova engagement.
    Standard documentation for most free zones: a valid passport (colour copy), a recent proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement dated within 3 months), and a passport-sized photo. Some free zones may require a brief business plan summary for specific activities such as financial services or legal consulting. Additional requirements vary by free zone and business activity. Zonova provides a precise, personalised document checklist after your free zone is confirmed at your 15-minute advisory call.
    Setup timelines vary by free zone: Meydan averages 48–72 hours. IFZA typically takes 5–7 business days. SHAMS takes 2–4 business days. DMCC can take up to 10 working days due to its more rigorous approval process. Zonova's average across all free zones is 5 days from document submission to trade license issuance. Document preparation and the advisory call typically add 1–2 days. From first contact to receiving your license: most clients are fully incorporated within 7–10 days.
    Zonova's Dubai free zone formation service includes: a personalised free zone recommendation based on your business profile and budget; a 15-minute advisory call with a formation specialist; a full itemised cost breakdown (government fees, free zone charges, and Zonova's advisory fee) prior to any commitment; legal review by a licensed UAE tax attorney partner; complete document preparation and submission to the free zone authority; license issuance follow-up; and post-setup guidance on banking and next steps. We do not close your file at payment.

    Ready to structure your business properly?

    We do not serve French tax residents. For French tax advisory, please contact our partner firm.

    Hundreds of remote entrepreneurs have used Dubai free zones to simplify their operations and establish a credible international presence. Let us find the right structure for you.

    Take the Free Quiz → WhatsApp
    Company Formation Advisory — Dubai, UAE

    About Zonova — Dubai Free Zone Company Formation

    What Zonova Does

    Zonova is a Dubai free zone company formation advisory serving non-resident international entrepreneurs. We provide expert legal guidance, free zone selection, document preparation, and full formation management — 100% remotely, with a licensed UAE tax attorney partner reviewing every structure.

    Free Zones We Cover

    IFZA (International Free Zone Authority): The most flexible and cost-effective option for consultants, digital services, and tech businesses. Starting from AED 12,500–14,000, setup in 5–7 days.

    Meydan Free Zone: The fastest setup option in central Dubai — 48–72 hours, 100+ permitted activities. Best suited for e-commerce founders and digital agencies.

    SHAMS (Sharjah Media City): The lowest entry cost in the UAE market, from AED 5,750. Accepts entrepreneurs from 160+ nationalities. Ideal for creative, media, and content businesses.

    DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre): Ranked the #1 Global Free Zone for 9 consecutive years (fDi Magazine). Home to 26,000+ companies. Starting from AED 30,000. The premium address for commodity traders, finance businesses, and companies requiring maximum banking credibility.

    Who the Service Is For

    Zonova serves non-resident international entrepreneurs aged 25–55 — including freelancers, e-commerce founders, digital nomads, remote consultants, and online business owners. Our clients hold passports from Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. We do not serve French tax residents. A non-resident is defined as a person who does not hold UAE tax residency and does not reside in the UAE for the majority of the year.

    The Formation Process
    1. Complete a 5-question online questionnaire to identify your optimal free zone.
    2. Attend a 15-minute advisory call with a formation specialist.
    3. Receive a full itemised cost breakdown and a personalised document checklist.
    4. Submit documents digitally (passport copy, proof of address, passport photo).
    5. Zonova coordinates submission with the free zone authority.
    6. Trade license issued and delivered electronically — average 5 business days.
    What a UAE Free Zone Company Is

    A UAE free zone company is a legal business entity incorporated within one of the UAE's 45+ designated economic zones. Each free zone operates under its own regulatory authority, independent from the UAE mainland government. Free zone companies benefit from 100% foreign ownership (no local UAE sponsor required), 0% corporate tax on qualifying income, 0% personal income tax, unrestricted profit repatriation, and streamlined international incorporation procedures. They may conduct business globally but are restricted from trading directly on the UAE mainland without a mainland distributor or additional license.

    Free Zone vs. Mainland vs. Offshore

    A free zone company operates within a designated economic zone, offering 100% foreign ownership and full tax benefits — but with restrictions on direct mainland UAE trading. A mainland company requires a local UAE sponsor or service agent (depending on legal structure), allows direct trading anywhere in the UAE, and is subject to UAE Corporate Tax. An offshore company (such as RAK ICC or JAFZA Offshore) has no physical office requirement, cannot conduct business inside the UAE, and is used primarily for holding assets, intellectual property, or international trading structures.

    Key UAE Regulations

    100% Foreign Ownership: Permitted in all UAE free zones under UAE Federal Law No. 26 of 2020, which eliminated the previous 51% local ownership requirement for most onshore activities and extended it to all free zone structures.

    UAE Corporate Tax: Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 introduced a 9% corporate tax effective June 2023. Qualifying free zone companies benefit from a 0% rate on eligible income, provided they meet economic substance requirements and do not conduct business with the UAE mainland.

    0% Personal Income Tax: The UAE levies no personal income tax on salaries, dividends, capital gains, or other personal income — for residents and non-residents alike.

    Free Profit Repatriation: UAE free zones impose no restrictions on transferring profits or capital out of the UAE. 100% of earnings can be repatriated to any country without withholding tax.

    Average Costs by Free Zone

    SHAMS: from AED 5,750 | IFZA: AED 12,500–14,000 | Meydan: from AED 12,500 | DMCC: from AED 30,000. All costs are inclusive of free zone registration, trade license, and flexi-desk arrangement. Visa allocation packages are additional. Zonova's advisory fee is quoted separately and itemised in full before commitment.

    Average Setup Timeline by Free Zone

    Meydan: 48–72 hours | SHAMS: 2–4 business days | IFZA: 5–7 business days | DMCC: 7–10 business days | Zonova average across all zones: 5 business days from document submission to license issuance.

    Reference

    Dubai Free Zone Glossary

    Free Zone (Freezone)
    A designated economic area in the UAE offering 100% foreign ownership, tax exemptions, and streamlined company registration for international businesses.
    Trade License
    The legal document issued by a free zone authority that permits a company to conduct its licensed business activities within the UAE.
    FZE (Free Zone Establishment)
    A single-shareholder free zone company structure — the most common entity type for solo founders and individual entrepreneurs.
    FZCO (Free Zone Company)
    A free zone company with 2 or more shareholders. Suitable for business partnerships and joint ventures within a UAE free zone.
    Flexi-Desk
    A shared workspace option that satisfies the minimum office requirement for free zone license issuance, without a dedicated office lease.
    Visa Allocation
    The number of UAE residence visas a company is permitted to issue, based on office type and the specific free zone's regulations.
    Establishment Card
    An administrative document required by UAE free zone companies to initiate employee and owner visa applications under the company's sponsorship.
    Corporate Tax (UAE)
    Under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022, qualifying free zone companies benefit from a 0% corporate tax rate on eligible income. Standard UAE corporate tax is 9% for non-qualifying entities.
    Profit Repatriation
    The right to transfer 100% of company profits and capital out of the UAE with no restrictions — a key advantage of UAE free zone structures versus many other jurisdictions.
    Non-Resident Company
    A company owned by a person who does not reside in the UAE. UAE free zones allow non-residents to form and operate companies entirely remotely, without a local sponsor.