Questions. Answered directly.

Free zone companies: 3–7 business days. Mainland structures: 2–4 weeks, depending on activity and DED approvals. DIFC and ADGM: 2–3 weeks. We provide an accurate timeline estimate at your free discovery call.

For most free zone setups, no. Around 70% of our formations complete entirely remotely. Some mainland structures and premium free zones (DIFC, ADGM) may require a one-time UAE visit. We coordinate this efficiently when required.

Yes. All free zone companies allow 100% foreign ownership. Following the 2021 UAE Companies Law, most mainland activities now permit full foreign ownership without a local sponsor. A small number of strategic activities still require Emirati shareholding — your consultant will confirm which category your activity falls into.

A free zone licence lets you operate within the zone and internationally — but not directly with UAE mainland customers without a distributor. A mainland licence gives you full access to the UAE domestic market, all seven emirates, no geographic restrictions. The right choice depends on your target customers and business model.

Typically: valid passport copy, proof of residential address (utility bill or bank statement), and a basic business activity description. For mainland structures, a Memorandum of Association is also required. Your ConsultNex consultant provides a precise checklist at Step 2.

Yes. Most licences support multiple related activities — the exact limit depends on the jurisdiction. Additional activities may carry a small additional fee. Your consultant confirms the activity list at the discovery call.

ConsultNex service fees cover all formation activities — name reservation, application submission, authority correspondence, and licence issuance. Government authority fees are additional and clearly itemised in your written quote before any commitment.

Yes. Your trade licence must be renewed annually. Renewal fees depend on your jurisdiction and visa allocation. Your establishment card, flexi-desk, and any visa stamps also have annual renewal components. We include a full recurring cost projection in your initial quote — no surprises in year two.

Yes. Your discovery call and initial written cost estimate are completely free.

Government authority fees — set by each free zone independently — vary significantly. IFZA and RAKEZ are designed for budget-conscious startups. DMCC, DIFC, and ADGM are premium jurisdictions with higher fees but greater prestige, superior banking access, and industry-specific ecosystems. ConsultNex service fees remain consistent regardless of which zone you choose.

Visa allocation depends on your jurisdiction and office space tier. A flexi-desk package typically allows 2–3 investor or employee visas. Larger office spaces allow more. Dubai Mainland structures have no fixed quota — allocation is based on office space ratio. Your consultant advises the correct allocation at discovery.

Yes. As a UAE resident visa holder you can sponsor your spouse, children, and parents. Dependent visa costs are additional to your company setup fees. Our visa team handles all dependent applications end-to-end.

The UAE Golden Visa is a 10-year renewable residency programme for investors, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals. Qualifying investors must hold AED 2 million or more in UAE property or business capital. Entrepreneurs with AED 1 million or more in annual business revenue may also qualify. ConsultNex manages the full application.

Yes. You can own a UAE company without being a UAE resident. Many of our clients hold non-UAE residency and manage their UAE company from abroad. A residency visa is optional — your consultant explains the practical implications at discovery.

Corporate account opening currently takes 4–8 weeks depending on the bank, your nationality, business activity, and documentation completeness. We prepare a pre-vetted application package to minimise delays and reduce rejection risk significantly.

We have established relationships with Emirates NBD, Mashreq, ADCB, RAKBank, First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), and Commercial Bank of Dubai. For international structures, we can advise on alternative banking options.

No firm can guarantee bank account approval — UAE banks conduct independent KYC and compliance reviews. We significantly improve your chances by matching you to the right bank for your profile and submitting a well-prepared, complete application.