Company Formation Guidance in the UAE
Mainland or free zone, we help you pick the right structure from over 40 free zone options and guide you through the full setup process.
Company Formation Guidance in the UAE
Mainland or free zone, we help you pick the right structure from over 40 free zone options and guide you through the full setup process.
Company Formation Guidance in the UAE
Mainland or free zone, we help you pick the right structure from over 40 free zone options and guide you through the full setup process.
Bespoke company formation advice
Most formation agents in Dubai optimise for speed: pick a free zone, fill in a form, get a licence in days. That works until the structure doesn't fit how the business operates, a free zone company that later needs mainland clients, or an ownership setup that complicates a UK-UAE consolidation down the line.
We start the other way round. Before recommending a structure, we look at where your customers are, any UK ties to manage and your corporate tax position once you're trading.
Mainland or free zone
Free zone companies allow 100% foreign ownership and are the default choice for founders who don't need to trade directly with mainland UAE customers. Most free zones now also expect annual audited financial statements as a condition of licence renewal, and free zone companies must meet specific conditions to access the 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income.
Mainland companies can trade freely across the UAE, including directly with government entities and mainland customers, but sit under the UAE Commercial Companies Law, which requires an appointed auditor and audited financial statements every year regardless of size.
Neither route is automatically cheaper or simpler once you look past the initial licence fee. We'll walk you through the real difference for your specific business rather than defaulting to whichever is easiest to sell.
Mainland or free zone
Free zone companies allow 100% foreign ownership and are the default choice for founders who don't need to trade directly with mainland UAE customers. Most free zones now also expect annual audited financial statements as a condition of licence renewal, and free zone companies must meet specific conditions to access the 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income.
Mainland companies can trade freely across the UAE, including directly with government entities and mainland customers, but sit under the UAE Commercial Companies Law, which requires an appointed auditor and audited financial statements every year regardless of size.
Neither route is automatically cheaper or simpler once you look past the initial licence fee. We'll walk you through the real difference for your specific business rather than defaulting to whichever is easiest to sell.
Mainland or free zone
Free zone companies allow 100% foreign ownership and are the default choice for founders who don't need to trade directly with mainland UAE customers. Most free zones now also expect annual audited financial statements as a condition of licence renewal, and free zone companies must meet specific conditions to access the 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income.
Mainland companies can trade freely across the UAE, including directly with government entities and mainland customers, but sit under the UAE Commercial Companies Law, which requires an appointed auditor and audited financial statements every year regardless of size.
Neither route is automatically cheaper or simpler once you look past the initial licence fee. We'll walk you through the real difference for your specific business rather than defaulting to whichever is easiest to sell.
What's included
Structure & Setup Guidance
Guidance on mainland versus free zone, and which of the 40-plus free zones fits your activity, budget and ownership needs
Your company live in less than 2 weeks
Post Setup Support
Post-setup support connecting you with local banking and insurance providers.
Ongoing compliance
Why Rise Accounting
Chartered Accountants & Tax Experts
Combining local market knowledge and international experience.
Chartered Accountants & Tax Experts
Combining local market knowledge and international experience.
More than compliance
We get close enough to your business to advise on the decisions that actually move the needle: structuring, growth planning, cross-border complexity.
More than compliance
We get close enough to your business to advise on the decisions that actually move the needle: structuring, growth planning, cross-border complexity.
One team, two markets
Our London and Dubai offices share the same standards and approach. If you have afairs in both locations, work directly with one team.
One team, two markets
Our London and Dubai offices share the same standards and approach. If you have afairs in both locations, work directly with one team.
Supporting the UAE's most ambitious founders
Hear from our clients:
S
Salin Awad, Founder at Bakersfield Consulting Group
"Coming to Dubai from Europe we were looking for somebody that could cover all our concerns when it comes to understanding the tax legislative landscape. One year later I can safely say that Rise has been nothing short of excellent."
S
Salin Awad, Founder at Bakersfield Consulting Group
"Coming to Dubai from Europe we were looking for somebody that could cover all our concerns when it comes to understanding the tax legislative landscape. One year later I can safely say that Rise has been nothing short of excellent."
P
Pete Robins, Founder at Project5
"Project5 is the 5th business I’ve started, so I knew the importance of getting a partner to help me on the trials, tribulations, odd rules and hence frustrations of the various accountancy aspects of a start-up. Now in our scale-up stage, I’ll be sticking with Rise Accounting as they've simply delivered on what I needed."
N
Nick Kuan, Director of Finance Fertifa
"Communication was great from the very first interaction, through onboarding and now working together. It was fast and straightforward to progress which is important given how quickly we’re moving."
D
Kim Nguyen
"I'd tried saving money on accountant fees in the past, but it became obvious that the lower cost came with a much lower level of knowledge and expertise. In the end, it actually created more problems and cost me more time and money. Rise has been the complete opposite. It's fantastic value for money. The support is personal, practical and genuinely human. I never feel judged or talked down to. I feel understood, supported and confident that everything is being done properly."
A
Ajay Corotana
"Excellent Firm. The team handle everything professionally and have provided valuable advice on the best ways to save money within my business. They are not just accountants, but genuine business advisors who take the time to support growth and long-term planning."
D
Dimas Urgal, Finance Lead at Proxima Fusion
"Very good and experienced accountants. They are more than service providers, they are partners."
L
Laurent Zhubi
"Fantastic company! Highly professional, responsive, skilled and lovely team to deal with. I honestly could not recommend them enough! I have been using them for years."
T
Timothy Doyle
"Absolutely fantastic company which I highly recommend."
F
Federica Spotti
"I contacted Rise as I needed assistance in Accounting and VAT Advisory. The service is timely and very professional, would definitely recommend."
Supporting the UAE's most ambitious founders
Hear from our clients:
F
Federica Spotti
"I contacted Rise as I needed assistance in Accounting and VAT Advisory. The service is timely and very professional, would definitely recommend."
T
Timothy Doyle
"Absolutely fantastic company which I highly recommend."
L
Laurent Zhubi
"Fantastic company! Highly professional, responsive, skilled and lovely team to deal with. I honestly could not recommend them enough! I have been using them for years."
L
Laurent Zhubi
"Fantastic company! Highly professional, responsive, skilled and lovely team to deal with. I honestly could not recommend them enough! I have been using them for years."
A
Ajay Corotana
"Excellent Firm. The team handle everything professionally and have provided valuable advice on the best ways to save money within my business. They are not just accountants, but genuine business advisors who take the time to support growth and long-term planning."
D
Kim Nguyen
"I'd tried saving money on accountant fees in the past, but it became obvious that the lower cost came with a much lower level of knowledge and expertise. In the end, it actually created more problems and cost me more time and money. Rise has been the complete opposite. It's fantastic value for money. The support is personal, practical and genuinely human. I never feel judged or talked down to. I feel understood, supported and confident that everything is being done properly."
S
Salin Awad, Founder at Bakersfield Consulting Group
"Coming to Dubai from Europe we were looking for somebody that could cover all our concerns when it comes to understanding the tax legislative landscape. One year later I can safely say that Rise has been nothing short of excellent."
A
Aleck O'Neill, Altair Aviation Services
"Setting up a business in the UAE from abroad can feel pretty daunting, and I wasn't sure where to start. Rise Accounting made the whole process a lot more straightforward than I expected. Their insight has had a meaningful impact on my tax position."
P
Pete Robins, Founder at Project5
"Project5 is the 5th business I’ve started, so I knew the importance of getting a partner to help me on the trials, tribulations, odd rules and hence frustrations of the various accountancy aspects of a start-up. Now in our scale-up stage, I’ll be sticking with Rise Accounting as they've simply delivered on what I needed."
N
Nick Kuan, Director of Finance Fertifa
"Communication was great from the very first interaction, through onboarding and now working together. It was fast and straightforward to progress which is important given how quickly we’re moving."
Supporting the UAE's most ambitious founders
Hear from our clients:
S
Salin Awad, Founder at Bakersfield Consulting Group
"Coming to Dubai from Europe we were looking for somebody that could cover all our concerns when it comes to understanding the tax legislative landscape. One year later I can safely say that Rise has been nothing short of excellent."
S
Salin Awad, Founder at Bakersfield Consulting Group
"Coming to Dubai from Europe we were looking for somebody that could cover all our concerns when it comes to understanding the tax legislative landscape. One year later I can safely say that Rise has been nothing short of excellent."
P
Pete Robins, Founder at Project5
"Project5 is the 5th business I’ve started, so I knew the importance of getting a partner to help me on the trials, tribulations, odd rules and hence frustrations of the various accountancy aspects of a start-up. Now in our scale-up stage, I’ll be sticking with Rise Accounting as they've simply delivered on what I needed."
N
Nick Kuan, Director of Finance Fertifa
"Communication was great from the very first interaction, through onboarding and now working together. It was fast and straightforward to progress which is important given how quickly we’re moving."
D
Kim Nguyen
"I'd tried saving money on accountant fees in the past, but it became obvious that the lower cost came with a much lower level of knowledge and expertise. In the end, it actually created more problems and cost me more time and money. Rise has been the complete opposite. It's fantastic value for money. The support is personal, practical and genuinely human. I never feel judged or talked down to. I feel understood, supported and confident that everything is being done properly."
A
Ajay Corotana
"Excellent Firm. The team handle everything professionally and have provided valuable advice on the best ways to save money within my business. They are not just accountants, but genuine business advisors who take the time to support growth and long-term planning."
D
Dimas Urgal, Finance Lead at Proxima Fusion
"Very good and experienced accountants. They are more than service providers, they are partners."
L
Laurent Zhubi
"Fantastic company! Highly professional, responsive, skilled and lovely team to deal with. I honestly could not recommend them enough! I have been using them for years."
T
Timothy Doyle
"Absolutely fantastic company which I highly recommend."
F
Federica Spotti
"I contacted Rise as I needed assistance in Accounting and VAT Advisory. The service is timely and very professional, would definitely recommend."
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some quick responses to the most common queries. Need more info? Just reach out to us anytime!
What does a tax consultant in Dubai actually do?
What is the Statutory Residence Test and why does it matter?
What is a Qualifying Free Zone Person?
Is there a double taxation treaty between the UK and UAE that protects me?
Not what you're looking for?
Take a look at our other services here:
Corporate Tax Advice
Guidance on mainland and free zone-specific compliance, structured to make the most of available reliefs.
Tax Residency Certificates
Full TRC application guidance and support, from eligibility through to how to submit with the FTA.
Accounting & Bookkeeping
Real-time bookkeeping and reporting, including IFRS-based financial statements where required, so you always know where you stand.
Annual Accounts
Statutory accounts prepared on time, every time.
VAT Support
Expert guidance on your ongoing VAT compliance
Payroll
Payroll processing and wage compliance, including WPS where relevant, so your team is paid correctly every time.
Management Accounts
Monthly or quarterly reporting that gives you a real, current view of performance, not just a look back at last year.
Tax Strategy
Strategic tax advice across the UK and UAE.
Not what you're looking for?
Take a look at our other services here:
Corporate Tax Advice
Guidance on mainland and free zone-specific compliance, structured to make the most of available reliefs.
Tax Residency Certificates
Full TRC application guidance and support, from eligibility through to how to submit with the FTA.
Accounting & Bookkeeping
Real-time bookkeeping and reporting, including IFRS-based financial statements where required, so you always know where you stand.
Annual Accounts
Statutory accounts prepared on time, every time.
VAT Support
Expert guidance on your ongoing VAT compliance
Payroll
Payroll processing and wage compliance, including WPS where relevant, so your team is paid correctly every time.
Management Accounts
Monthly or quarterly reporting that gives you a real, current view of performance, not just a look back at last year.
Tax Strategy
Strategic tax advice across the UK and UAE.
Not what you're looking for?
Take a look at our other services here:
Corporate Tax Advice
Guidance on mainland and free zone-specific compliance, structured to make the most of available reliefs.
Tax Residency Certificates
Full TRC application guidance and support, from eligibility through to how to submit with the FTA.
Accounting & Bookkeeping
Real-time bookkeeping and reporting, including IFRS-based financial statements where required, so you always know where you stand.
Annual Accounts
Statutory accounts prepared on time, every time.
VAT Support
Expert guidance on your ongoing VAT compliance
Payroll
Payroll processing and wage compliance, including WPS where relevant, so your team is paid correctly every time.
Management Accounts
Monthly or quarterly reporting that gives you a real, current view of performance, not just a look back at last year.
Tax Strategy
Strategic tax advice across the UK and UAE.
Ready to build your business in the UAE the right way?
Book a free consultation with a Chartered Accountant based in Dubai.
Ready to build your business in the UAE the right way?
Book a free consultation with a Chartered Accountant based in Dubai.
Ready to build your business in the UAE the right way?
Book a free consultation with a Chartered Accountant based in Dubai.