How much does it cost to set up a business in Dubai?

The cost of setting up a business in Dubai starts from AED 5,750 for free zone setup and AED 12,000 for mainland. All-inclusive packages with visa and bank account range from AED 15,000-25,000. Entityz offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees.

Can foreigners own 100% of a company in UAE?

Yes, foreigners can own 100% of a company in UAE. Free zones have always allowed full foreign ownership. Since 2021, mainland companies also permit 100% foreign ownership for most business activities under the Commercial Companies Law amendments.

How long does it take to set up a company in UAE?

Free zone company registration takes 1-5 business days. Mainland license takes 5-10 days. Visa processing requires 7-14 days. Bank account setup takes 2-4 weeks. Complete business setup typically takes 2-4 weeks total.

What is the difference between free zone and mainland in UAE?

Free zones offer 100% foreign ownership, 0% corporate tax up to AED 375,000, and duty-free imports but limit trading to free zone or exports. Mainland licenses allow trading anywhere in UAE, working with government clients, and have no local market restrictions.

What is the best free zone in Dubai for ecommerce?

The best free zones for ecommerce are: IFZA (most affordable, fast processing), Meydan (good for startups), Shams in Sharjah (budget-friendly), DMCC (premium, commodities), and Dubai CommerCity (dedicated ecommerce zone). IFZA and Meydan are most popular for online businesses.

Do I need to be in Dubai to start a company?

No, you can start a UAE company remotely. Most free zones offer complete online registration. Physical presence is only required for Emirates ID biometrics, visa stamping, and some bank account openings. Many entrepreneurs complete the initial setup without traveling to Dubai.

What documents are needed to start a business in UAE?

Required documents include: passport copy (valid 6+ months), passport-sized photos with white background, proof of address (utility bill or bank statement), NOC from current employer if UAE resident, and business plan for certain activities. Entityz assists with all documentation.

What is a UAE Golden Visa?

UAE Golden Visa is a 10-year renewable residence visa for investors, entrepreneurs, and exceptional talent. Eligibility includes: AED 2 million+ investment in property or business, successful entrepreneurs, or exceptional professionals in science, art, or sports.

How much is VAT in UAE?

UAE VAT is 5% on most goods and services. Businesses with taxable supplies exceeding AED 375,000 annually must register for VAT. Some items are zero-rated (exports, international transport) or exempt (residential property, local transport, financial services).

Can I get a visa for my family with a UAE business?

Yes, UAE business owners can sponsor family visas including: spouse, children (unlimited), parents (with salary requirement), and domestic helpers. Family visa costs approximately AED 3,500-5,000 per person and is valid for 2-3 years, renewable.

HomeServicesVAT Registration for Amazon and Marketplace Sellers

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VAT Registration for Amazon and Marketplace Sellers

If you are not resident in the UAE, the Federal Tax Authority says your VAT registration threshold is in effect nil. Amazon does not carry this for you.

Check If You Must Register WhatsApp

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Two things about marketplace selling in the UAE are widely believed and both are wrong. The first is that the AED 375,000 threshold applies to everyone. It does not. In its E-Commerce VAT Guide the Federal Tax Authority states that a person who is not resident in the UAE must register if it makes any taxable supplies here, unless another person in the UAE is responsible for accounting for the VAT, and that for non-resident suppliers the registration threshold is in effect nil. The second is that Amazon handles the VAT. Where a marketplace acts as a disclosed agent, meaning the buyer knows it is dealing with an agent of a seller, Article 9(1) of Federal Decree-Law 8 of 2017 treats the supply as made by the seller, and the guide says the VAT obligations remain with that seller. A third party listing that names you as the seller is a disclosed agency. The tax is yours.

Abstract geometric line drawing: a stepped warehouse silhouette with a single parcel outline crossing its threshold, the parcel in teal, gold hairlines on dark navy.

Key Features

Residence tested first, because it decides which rule applies: a place of establishment or a fixed establishment in the UAE makes you resident, and the AED 375,000 mandatory and AED 187,500 voluntary thresholds are resident tests
Non-resident position set against the guide, which states that for non-resident suppliers the registration threshold is in effect nil, and that a non-resident may not register voluntarily on the basis of taxable expenses
Your fulfilment model mapped to the place of supply rule, because goods first imported into the UAE and then sold to the buyer are a local supply, while goods sent to the buyer from outside the UAE have their place of supply outside the UAE
Marketplace relationship read as the guide reads it, disclosed agent against undisclosed agent against principal, since only that decides whether the platform or you accounts for the tax
You supply your trade licence or foreign incorporation documents, your marketplace seller reports, and where your stock physically sits, which is what decides the obligation before any form is filed

Benefits for Your Business

You find out whether you are registrable before a marketplace, a bank or the authority asks you.
Stock held in a UAE fulfilment centre treated as what it is, a local supply, rather than as an export that it is not.
The registration filed with your own documents so the tax registration number belongs to you, not to an agent.
Returns put on a calendar at the same time, because registration without filing is a penalty waiting to happen.

General information, not tax advice. The registration rules, the thresholds and the agency treatment above were read in the Federal Tax Authority E-Commerce VAT Guide, Federal Decree-Law 8 of 2017 and Cabinet Decision 52 of 2017 on 16 September 2026. The guide sets out the rules for marketplaces in general and does not name any platform. How they apply to your sales depends on your contracts and on where your stock sits, and we confirm your position before registering you.