Customers
Direct UAE market access
Physical premises
Depends on activity and authority
Visa requirements
Planned around establishment and premises
Operating footprint
Local operating company
Decide
Three routes. Different operating logic.
Choose one route to see the variables that actually change. This is a decision aid, not a package selector.
Customers
Market access depends on activity and route
Physical premises
Authority-specific workspace options
Visa requirements
Linked to the selected package/facility
Operating footprint
Free-zone licensed company
Customers
Structure-specific rather than local retail operations
Physical premises
Typically no conventional operating office
Visa requirements
Not treated as a residence-visa package
Operating footprint
Holding / international structure
60-second briefGive us the four things
Give us the four things
that shape the setup.
No long form. Choose what you know and we’ll open WhatsApp with a structured brief you can edit before sending.
01
Start with how your business will operate
The best setup begins with your business model. A consultant working with overseas clients, a retailer serving customers in Dubai and a company holding international investments have different requirements. The lowest advertised licence price may not cover the permissions, facilities or banking profile you need.
01
01.01↗
Mainland company
Explore a locally licensed operating business, with activity and premises requirements set by the relevant emirate.
02
01.02↗
Free zone company
Compare the permitted activities, workspace, visa arrangements and market access of individual free zones.
03
01.03↗
Offshore company
Assess a structure for permitted international or holding purposes. It is not a substitute for an operating licence or a residence visa.
02 · Four decisions
Make the setup follow the business.
Scroll through the four inputs that change the route. The visual stays simple because the decision is the point.
Activity
The permitted activity shapes the authority, legal form and any extra approvals.
Customers
Market access and operating geography help distinguish mainland, free-zone and other structures.
Ownership
Shareholders, managers and beneficial ownership information affect the incorporation file.
Visas
Visa needs can affect facility choices, immigration setup and the real first-year cost.
Decision framework01 / 04
Activity
The permitted activity shapes the authority, legal form and any extra approvals.
03 · Process
From enquiry to a practical launch plan.
The line advances with the actual reading position. Each phase stays visible long enough to understand what changes next.
Define the business
Clarify what you will sell, where your customers are, who will own the company and whether you need premises or residence visas.
Compare the route
Review the activity, legal form, authority requirements and a written estimate that separates authority charges from professional support.
Prepare and submit
Organise the application and supporting documents, resolve authority queries and track the approval stages.
Plan the next steps
After incorporation, arrange the applicable immigration, banking and tax work. Each has its own eligibility checks and timeline.
04
Know what your quote includes
A starting licence price is only one part of a business setup budget. Ask for a written scope covering the authority fees, workspace, immigration file, visa processing and MNK service fee relevant to your application. Confirm renewal costs as well as the first year.
Fees and processing times depend on the activity, owners, premises, visa requirements and approvals. Bank accounts and visas remain subject to the relevant institution’s decision. Request a current, itemised quotation before making a commitment.
FAQQuestions founders
Questions founders
actually ask.
Can I complete the setup remotely?+
Some application stages can be handled remotely. Identity checks, document signing, medical screening, biometrics or bank onboarding may still require your presence. We will explain the requirements for the route you select.
Does a licence include a residence visa?+
A licence and a residence visa are separate. A package may include visa eligibility, an allocation or some processing charges. Check the exact inclusions and the applicant’s eligibility in the written quotation.
Will a corporate bank account be guaranteed?+
No. Banks carry out their own customer and business checks. MNK can help prepare the application and supporting documents, but the bank controls approval, account terms and timing.
Primary sourcesCheck the authority,
Check the authority,
not the rumour.
We use official guidance to frame the conversation. Requirements, fees and approval conditions can change, so confirm the current authority position for your activity before filing.
Next step
Make the next decision with the full picture.
Share your activity, ownership, visa needs and target timeline. MNK can compare the route and prepare a current itemised scope.