- Setting Up a Company
Setting Up a Company in Dubai: Guided Personally by a Trusted Advisor
Dubai has become one of the world’s most prominent business hubs, connecting the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Africa from a single strategic location. With world-class infrastructure and business-first policies, it attracts entrepreneurs and investors who want growth without unnecessary hassle. Today, Dubai hosts hundreds of thousands of active companies across finance, technology, consulting, trade, and digital services.
What sets Dubai apart for international investors is its tax-efficient environment. Many business structures operate with a corporate tax rate of 0% to 9%, no personal income tax, no currency restrictions, and full foreign ownership in approved jurisdictions. Compared to the United States, where federal and state taxes can quickly reduce profits, Dubai allows businesses to scale faster while retaining more of what they earn.
Want to set up a business in Dubai? Contact Chetaan Kumbhar. For over a decade, I’ve personally helped U.S. founders and investors set up companies in Dubai. I’m not selling pre-made packages or rushing registrations. Instead, I am helping you choose the right jurisdiction, the right license, and the right structure from day one, so your business works for you. When done correctly, setting up a company in Dubai isn’t just an international expansion but also a strategic advantage.
Why Set Up a Free Zone Company or Mainland Company in the UAE
Dubai is a fully established global business center with nearly 990,000 active business licenses by the end of March 2025. It is around 59% of all commercial or trade licences issued across the entire UAE.
What makes this emirate a powerful place to build a company is:
Strategic Business Location
You can operate across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East from one time zone. A Dubai-based company can serve global clients efficiently while staying connected to U.S. markets.
100% Foreign Ownership
Most business structures allow full ownership to foreign investors. It gives you complete control over your company without the need for a local partner or shareholder.
No Currency Restrictions
Capital can move freely in and out of the UAE. There are no exchange controls, no repatriation limits, and no barriers to managing international cash flow.
Stable Government
The UAE offers long-term political stability, clear commercial laws, and a regulatory environment designed to attract and protect international businesses.
Direct access to Global Markets
Dubai is home to major banks, logistics hubs, and international trade routes. Whether you’re running a consultancy, car rental, alarm and safety systems, fire equipment, or trading company, global expansion becomes simpler from this UAE market.
Comparison of Business Setup in Dubai to the United States
For many U.S. founders, the decision to set up a business in Dubai starts with the number. However, it’s the experience that ultimately convinces them. Compared to the United States, Dubai offers a dramatically different environment for entrepreneurs who want to conduct business efficiently, scale globally, and retain more profit.
Here are the key differences you need to know about:
Corporate Tax Advantage
In the U.S., corporations face a 21% federal corporate tax, with additional state taxes that can push the effective rate even higher. In Dubai, most companies operate under 0% corporate tax, with a 9% rate applying only beyond specific profit thresholds.
0% Personal Income Tax
American entrepreneurs are accustomed to federal, state, and self-employment taxes reducing their personal income. Dubai imposes no personal income tax, which allows business owners to legally retain 100% of their earnings.
| Tax Category | Dubai (UAE) | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate Income Tax | 0% for most businesses 9% only on taxable profits above AED 375,000 | 21% federal corporate tax + 0–12% state corporate tax |
| Personal Income Tax | 0% | Up to 37% federal + state income tax (0–13.3%) |
| Value Added Tax (VAT) | 5% (select goods/services only) | No federal VAT Sales tax 0–10% (state-level) |
| Property Tax (Commercial) | 0% | 1–3% of assessed value annually |
Lower Regulatory Burden
In the U.S., compliance often involves multiple agencies at the federal, state, and local levels. Dubai centralizes oversight through the Digital Government Regulatory Authority, the Department of Economic Development, and other government entities to make licensing and approvals more streamlined.
Speed of Business Setup in the UAE
Setting up a limited liability company, private joint stock company, or even a public joint stock company in Dubai can take as little as 5–10 business days, depending on the business activity. In the U.S., similar processes can take months due to banking, tax registrations, compliance checks, and several other factors.
Simplified Ownership Structures
Most companies no longer require a local service agent agreement. Where it is required, it does not affect ownership or profit control. It is a major shift from older models and a key reason U.S. founders feel more confident operating here.
Faster Access to Banking
Corporate bank account opening in the U.S. as a foreign-linked business can be slow and unpredictable. In Dubai, with the right structure and documentation, banking becomes a defined process.
Most of my U.S. clients are genuinely shocked by how quickly they can go live here. Dubai doesn’t just make business easier; it makes economic development a priority. If you want to focus on growth instead of paperwork, these differences are impossible to ignore. Get in touch with Chetaan Kumbhar, a reliable and experienced business setup consultant in Dubai, to establish a company in Dubai without any hassle.
The Types of Companies Chetaan Kumbhar Helps Establish in Dubai
For many U.S. founders, the decision to set up a business in Dubai starts with the number. However, it’s the experience that ultimately convinces them. Compared to the United States, Dubai offers a dramatically different environment for entrepreneurs who want to conduct business efficiently, scale globally, and retain more profit.
Here are the key differences you need to know about:
Mainland Companies
These are licensed by the Department of Economic Development and allow you to conduct business anywhere in the UAE. Starting a business in the UAE Mainland requires a physical address, approved office space, and a registered lease contract, which makes it ideal for firms dealing with local clients.
Free Zone Establishment (FZE / FZCO)
Dubai has many free business zones, incorporating ease of starting a business in these zones. These zones are regulated by their relevant free zone authority, such as the Dubai World Trade Centre. These structures offer 100% foreign ownership and a simplified setup. They are suitable for international or service-based operations that don't depend on the local market.
Offshore Companies
These are designed for asset holding, international trading, and investment purposes. They cannot lease office space or conduct business directly within the UAE, but are commonly used for structuring global operations and wealth management.
Foreign Company Branches
They are registered through the foreign company branches ministry and allow an overseas company to operate in Dubai under its existing name. A local service agent is usually required, but ownership and control remain fully with the parent company.
| Structure Type | Where You Can Operate | Office Space Required | Local Service Agent | Business License / Trade Licence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mainland Company | UAE & International | Yes | In select cases | Required |
| Free Zone Establishment | International / Within Free Zone | Yes (flexi or physical) | No | Required |
| Offshore Company | International Only | No | No | Limited / Offshore License |
| Foreign Company Branch | UAE (as a branch of the parent) | Yes | Yes | Required |
Who Should Establish a Business in Dubai
Business setup in Dubai, UAE, suits American entrepreneurs who value speed, clarity, and long-term scalability. The business setup process is structured, and once the initial approval receipt is issued, companies can move forward quickly.
I can help the following people create a company in Dubai.
- U.S.-based founders expanding internationally with a clear business entity structure.
- Consultants and service providers who want minimal additional government approvals
- Aviation and logistics firms, including charter air transport operators from America
- Real estate businesses that are regulated under the real estate regulatory agency
- American investors looking to establish compliant holding or operating companies in Dubai.
With the right planning, Dubai offers a smooth path from approval to operation. I regularly work with American entrepreneurs who value a predictable setup process and long-term operational freedom. You can rely on me to guide you at every step of setting business in Dubai.
Start a Company in Dubai Effortlessly with Chetaan Kumbhar
Imagine launching your Dubai business without delays or uncertainty. With my guidance, you can secure your company’s legal status, select the right legal form, and navigate local government entities with ease. As a reliable business consultant, I get in touch with UAE-based law firms and the UAE government to help you set up a foreign company branch or representative office and other business operations in Dubai Internet City. From helping you find a local sponsor to preparing a particular business plan, I make every step seamless. Contact me now to become a part of a global business centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to start a business in Dubai?
Can Americans fully own a company in Dubai?
Is it necessary to live in Dubai to open a company?
How much capital is required to set up company in UAE?
It varies depending on the type of UAE company you want to start. Some free zone companies can start with minimal capital, while certain mainland companies or businesses in strategic sectors may need more substantial funds to cover initial operations.