UAE
Operational-ready setup for day-to-day trading and service delivery with practical licensing.
Key Benefits
Designed for day-to-day trading and service delivery with practical licensing for commercial activity.
A streamlined process can enable a faster go-live once KYC and activity selection are complete.
Commercial licensing supports a wide range of services and trading models, subject to approved activities.
Often more cost-effective than premium financial centres while still offering UAE free zone benefits.
Useful for cross-border invoicing and supplier/customer relationships, subject to bank onboarding requirements.
Supports upgrades over time as the business expands (activities, visas where eligible, facilities).
Tax Overview
UAE Corporate Tax
0% may apply to Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZPs) on qualifying income; otherwise 9% may apply. The AED 375,000 0% band generally applies to non-QFZPs; QFZPs instead follow the qualifying/non-qualifying income rules.
VAT
Applies where the company registers for VAT and makes taxable supplies in the UAE.
Withholding Tax
The UAE does not currently levy withholding tax on outbound payments under the federal Corporate Tax regime.
Customs Duties
May apply depending on import/export flows and whether goods enter the UAE mainland.
Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (DMTT)
May apply to UAE entities that are part of large multinational groups (Pillar Two threshold) to ensure a 15% minimum effective tax rate in the UAE.
Formation Process
Collect KYC, confirm ownership/manager, select activities and prepare name options.
Prepare incorporation and license application package for submission.
Submit incorporation and license applications; respond to clarifications if requested.
Receive license/registration documents upon approval and fee settlement.
Deliver the digital corporate document pack and standard documents.
Pricing
Formation Package
$2,000
Annual Maintenance
$7,000/year
Add-ons
Formation of a Meydan FZ (Commercial License) in UAE typically takes 2-10 business days once KYC documents have been submitted and verified.
The formation package starts at $2,000. Annual maintenance is $7,000/year. All-inclusive — no hidden fees.
UAE applies the following taxes to this entity type: UAE Corporate Tax: 0-9% (0% may apply to Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZPs) on qualifying income; otherwise 9% may apply. The AED 375,000 0% band generally applies to non-QFZPs; QFZPs instead follow the qualifying/non-qualifying income rules.). VAT: 5% (Applies where the company registers for VAT and makes taxable supplies in the UAE.). Withholding Tax: 0% (The UAE does not currently levy withholding tax on outbound payments under the federal Corporate Tax regime.). Customs Duties: N/A (May apply depending on import/export flows and whether goods enter the UAE mainland.). Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (DMTT): up to 15% (May apply to UAE entities that are part of large multinational groups (Pillar Two threshold) to ensure a 15% minimum effective tax rate in the UAE.).
The package includes: Incorporation application preparation and filing (Meydan Free Zone), License application preparation and submission, Completion of standard incorporation documents required by Meydan Free Zone, Establishment card application preparation (if visas are required), Basic shareholder/manager appointment documentation (standard set), Coordination of government portal steps and fee payments, Digital corporate document pack (formation set).
Form your Meydan FZ (Commercial License) in UAE and have your entity ready in 2-10 business days.
Entity Engine is a private facilitation platform, not a government agency or law firm. Information is general only (not legal/tax advice). Filings are completed by regulated third-party partners. Terms.