UAE Business Setup: What SM Concierge Coordinates
The detailed comparison of mainland, free zone and offshore, plus indicative costs and a document list, is in Dubai Business Setup: The Definitive Guide. This page is the short version: what we coordinate, and what we do not.
What to decide first
- The activity on the licence (this drives the zone and whether 100% foreign ownership is available).
- Whether you need to trade with UAE customers onshore, or mainly hold assets / trade internationally.
- How many residency visas you expect, because office size and licence type affect quota.
- Whether banking is required in the UAE — that timeline is often longer than the licence.
What SM Concierge does
We sequence the brief, introduce qualified local partners for formation, PRO, visas and banking introductions, and keep one thread so you are not chasing each authority yourself. Read the full setup guide before you send documents.
We are not a law firm, tax adviser or immigration adviser. Corporate tax now applies in the UAE above a federal threshold; historic “zero tax” marketing is not a substitute for current advice.
Typical licence timelines are measured in weeks once documents are complete; banks and visas are separate. Nothing is confirmed until the relevant authority or bank says so.
Discuss a UAE setup. Send the activity, likely headcount and whether you need to trade onshore.