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Tax-free zones with global connectivity
Region
MIDDLE EAST
Corporate Tax
9%
Setup Time
2 weeks
Currency
AED
Dubai, the UAE's business capital, has established itself as a global commercial hub combining tax efficiency with world-class infrastructure. The emirate's multiple free zone options support diverse business setup strategies.
With Dubai's population of 3.5 million (UAE total 10 million), the emirate offers cosmopolitan living with extreme modern development. Arabic is official, with English predominant in business. The climate is hot desert with extreme summer temperatures.
Healthcare is excellent through private facilities. Safety is outstanding. The cost of living is high but manageable with tax savings.
The international character, shopping, and entertainment create unique lifestyle.
The UAE introduced 9% corporate tax on profits above AED 375,000, with free zone companies maintaining 0% on qualifying income. No personal income tax exists. VAT applies at 5%.
The UAE dirham is pegged to the US dollar. Dubai's economy is diversified across trade, tourism, real estate, and financial services. Free zones number over 30 with various specializations.
Company registration varies by structure—mainland through DED, free zones through respective authorities. Free zone companies offer 100% foreign ownership. Mainland recently permitted 100% foreign ownership in most activities.
Company formation takes approximately 1-3 weeks depending on structure. Free zone requirements vary. Annual compliance includes licensing renewal and accounting.
Dubai Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) licenses crypto activities with comprehensive framework. Free zones including DIFC and DMCC also offer crypto licensing pathways.
Dubai has actively positioned for crypto business with clear regulatory frameworks.
Gambling is prohibited in the UAE consistent with Islamic law. No gambling license opportunities exist.
Multiple structures (mainland, various free zones) require careful selection. Substance requirements are increasing. The ownership landscape has evolved substantially.
Banking access is available through major international and UAE banks. Professional services are extensive.
Dubai suits regional headquarters, trading companies, and businesses seeking Middle East positioning for their business setup.
Local: LLC
Local: PJSC
Local: Branch
| Corporate Tax Rate | 9% |
| Personal Income Tax Rate | 0% |
| VAT / Sales Tax | 5% |
| Capital Gains Tax | 0% |
| Withholding Tax | 0% |
| Reduced Corporate Tax Available | Yes |
| Non-Resident Withholding Exempt | Yes |
| Tax Treaty Network | Yes |
| Banking Access | EXCELLENT |
| Financial Privacy | MEDIUM |
| Currency Controls | NONE |
| Local Bank Account Required | No |
| Non-Resident Bank Account Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Presence for Banking | Yes |
| Banks Restrictive (High Risk) | No |
| AML Officer Required | No |
| MLRO Required | No |
| Compliance Officer Required | No |
| Data Protection Officer Required | No |
| Bookkeeping Frequency | Annual |
| Local Bookkeeping Required | No |
| Mandatory Audit | No |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | No |
| Local AML Director Required | Yes |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Required Share Capital | $500,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | FATF Travel Rule compliant, Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) from 2027 |
| Business Plan Required | Detailed business plan with financial projections, operational setup, compliance policies, and technology governance framework required |
| Personnel Required | Two Responsible Individuals (UAE residents or citizens approved by VARA), CEO, AML/MLRO officer, Compliance Officer |
| Insurance Required | No |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | VARA Licensed VASP Registry publicly available on vara.ae |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | No |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | No |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | No |
| Regulators | Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) for Dubai; DFSA for DIFC; FSRA for ADGM; SCA for federal scope |
| Licensing Fee | $40,000 |
| Licensing Fee Details | Initial application fee AED 40,000, annual supervision fees range from AED 63,800 (advisory) to AED 78,300+ (exchange/custody) depending on activity type. Company setup costs additional AED 12,000-35,000+ |
| Permitted Business Models | Exchange, Custody, Broker-Dealer, Advisory, Transfer and Settlement, Lending and Borrowing, Management and Investment, VA Issuance |
| Permitted Activities | Crypto trading, custody, wallet services, staking, exchange operations, token issuance, NFT platforms, advisory services |
| Restricted Activities | Privacy coins (Monero, Zcash) prohibited; AED-referenced stablecoins require CBUAE license; marketing requires prior VARA approval |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |
| Derivatives Allowed | Yes |
| RWA Tokenization Allowed | Yes |
| App Store Listing Allowed | Yes |
| Crypto Custody Allowed | Yes |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | No |
| Local AML Director Required | Yes |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Capital Maintained in Account | No |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | N/A for gambling |
| Business Plan Required | Comprehensive business plan required with responsible gaming framework, technical standards certification by GCGRA-approved testing laboratory |
| Personnel Required | Key personnel subject to fit-and-proper checks, AML officer required |
| Insurance Required | No |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | Yes |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | GCGRA Licensed Operator Registry |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | No |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | No |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | No |
| Regulators | false |
| Permitted Business Models | License fee (one-off) and annual maintenance fee apply; specific amounts determined by GCGRA on case-by-case basis. Market is highly restricted with limited licenses per emirate. |
| Permitted Activities | B2C Operator (one license per emirate model), B2B Vendor/Supplier |
| Restricted Activities | Lottery, Internet Gaming, Sports Wagering, Land-based Gaming Facilities (slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, craps, poker) |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | No |
| Physical Inspection Required | No |
| Player Fund Segregation | Yes |
| License Required | Yes |
| Local Director Required | Yes |
| Local AML Director Required | Yes |
| Local Legal Address Required | Yes |
| Local Physical Office Required | Yes |
| Required Share Capital | $1,000,000 |
| Capital Maintained in Account | Yes |
| Compliance Program Required | Yes |
| Travel Rule Compliance | FATF compliant |
| Business Plan Required | Detailed 3-year business plan with financial projections, governance framework, risk management policies, technology infrastructure specifications |
| Personnel Required | Senior Executive Officer (UAE resident), Finance Officer, Compliance Officer (UAE resident), MLRO (UAE resident), Internal Auditor |
| Insurance Required | Yes |
| Insurance Details | Professional indemnity insurance required depending on license category |
| Remote Incorporation Possible | No |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes |
| Min. Shareholders | 1 |
| Min. Directors | 1 |
| Shareholder/Director Same Person | No |
| Registry Public | Yes |
| Registry Access | CBUAE Licensed Financial Institutions Register |
| Renewal Period | Annual |
| Accounting Filing Required | Yes |
| Accounting Filing Frequency | Annual |
| Financial Statement Required | Yes |
| Financial Statement Frequency | Annual |
| Accounting Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Compliance Audit Mandatory | Yes |
| Technical Audit Mandatory | No |
| Corporate Income Tax Applicable | Yes |
| Dividend Tax Applicable | No |
| Capital Gains Tax Applicable | No |
| Territorial Tax Regime | No |
| VAT Applicable | Yes |
| Regulators | Central Bank of UAE (CBUAE) for mainland; DFSA for DIFC; FSRA for ADGM |
| Licensing Fee | $50,000 |
| Licensing Fee Details | Application fees vary by license category. PSP License capital: Category I AED 1.5-3M, Category II AED 1-2M, Category III AED 500K-1M, Category IV AED 100K. EMI License capital starts at AED 1M. Finance company minimum capital AED 25M with bank guarantee. |
| Permitted Business Models | Payment Service Provider (4 categories), Electronic Money Institution (Retail/Non-Retail), Stored Value Facility, Finance Company, Remittance Provider, Merchant Acquirer |
| Permitted Activities | Payment account issuance, payment instrument issuance, merchant acquiring, payment aggregation, domestic/cross-border fund transfers, payment token services, payment initiation, e-money issuance, e-wallet operations, remittance |
| Restricted Activities | Banking activities without bank license; deposit-taking without appropriate license; AED-denominated stablecoins require specific CBUAE authorization |
| Cross-Border Service Allowed | Yes |
| Physical Inspection Required | Yes |