Do I really get 100% ownership?
Yes — free-zone companies allow full foreign ownership with no local partner. That's one of the main reasons founders choose them.
Can a free-zone company trade inside the UAE?
Free-zone companies trade internationally and within their zone freely; selling directly into the mainland UAE market usually needs a distributor or a mainland presence. If that's your model, mainland may fit better — we'll advise honestly.
Which free zone is best?
There's no single best — zones differ by permitted activities, cost, visa allocation and prestige. We match the zone to your activity and plans rather than pushing one.
How many visas do I get?
It depends on your package and office/flexi-desk. Many founders start with a small allocation and scale up. We size it to your team.
Do I need an office?
Not to start — most zones offer flexi-desk packages that meet licensing and visa requirements. A physical office is optional and scales your quota.
Do free-zone companies pay corporate tax?
They can benefit from a 0% rate on 'qualifying income' if conditions are met, but not all income qualifies. We assess this properly — see our corporate tax page.