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Company formation in the UAE, handled end to end
Mainland, free zone or offshore: Lexoford recommends the right structure, prepares the paperwork and coordinates your trade licence, depending on the jurisdiction, the business activity and the competent authority's review.
IFZA Authorized Professional Partner, SHAMS Authorized Partner, and Expo City Dubai Free Zone Channel Partner. Can assist with company registration in Meydan Free Zone, DMCC, RAKEZ and SPC Free Zone, and on Dubai mainland.
What's included
Mainland vs. free zone vs. offshore, matched to your activity, ownership plan and budget.
Activity selection, name reservation and licensing with the relevant authority.
MOA and AOA, board resolutions, POA drafting and notarization coordination.
Document preparation and coordination with banks for corporate account opening.
Government liaison for approvals, renewals and amendments.
Ultimate Beneficial Owner registration and declaration compliance.
Lexoford service fee from AED 3,999; government and free-zone fees are extra, paid at cost. Estimate your itemised total.
0–1 visa: Starter AED 3,999. 2–3 visas: Business AED 4,999. 5 visas: Premium AED 7,999. Each additional visa adds AED 1,000 service fee beyond the visas your tier includes. Customer pays = government/free-zone fees at cost + Lexoford service fee.
What should you decide before registering a UAE company?
Activity and customers
Describe what you sell, where customers are based and whether you need physical premises. Use the mainland vs free-zone guide to prepare a shortlist for review, rather than choosing on licence price alone.
First-year and renewal budget
Compare the itemised licence, premises, visa and service-fee scope. The cost calculator is a starting point; ask for a written quotation and the renewal scope before paying.
Residence and banking
Tell Lexoford whether the shareholders and employees need residence visas, and whether you need a corporate account. These are separate applications with their own document checks; read the investor/partner visa guide.
Records after licensing
Plan who will maintain the books and check tax obligations when the company starts operating. See bookkeeping, VAT and corporate-tax coordination and the first 90 days after licensing.
How it works
Confirm your planned activity, customer locations, ownership and residence needs.
Compare the proposed jurisdiction, documents, service fee and authority fees in writing.
Prepare the agreed application documents and follow up with the licensing authority.
Identify the separate banking, residence and ongoing bookkeeping steps you need.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on the jurisdiction, business activities and authority review; Lexoford gives an estimate after checking your documents.
Compare the permitted activity, customer locations, premises, ownership and visa requirements for your shortlisted jurisdictions. Lexoford explains the trade-offs against your business plan; see the mainland vs free-zone guide. Decision guide.
A DET branch or activity-permit route may be available. Check the permitted activity and required approvals before committing. This framework concerns Dubai; it does not grant automatic access across the UAE. Dubai Government explanation.
Use the Dubai mainland permit checklist to prepare your inquiry.
Share your location and proposed activity so Lexoford can confirm which licensing steps can be handled remotely and which visa, Emirates ID or bank steps require your presence.
Not necessarily — an all-in sticker can hide markup and missing items, so compare the itemised year-one total. Ask every agent to split free-zone / government licence fees, visa and Emirates ID government fees, premises, and the agent’s service fee. Lexoford’s service fee is Starter AED 3,999, Business AED 4,999 or Premium AED 7,999; government and free-zone fees are extra, paid at cost. Checklist: fee honesty vs all-in quotes.
Verify the agent’s UAE trade licence, get a written split of service fee vs government fees, and pay only to a corporate account. Walk away from guaranteed bank or visa outcomes and same-day payment pressure. The Lexoford Services trade licence is 2651822.01 - check Lexoford the same way. Full checklist: how to choose an agent.
Lexoford does not guarantee visa or Golden Visa approval, corporate bank account opening, search rankings or AI citations — banks and authorities decide independently. Lexoford coordinates documents and process within the agreed scope and explains the risks before you pay. Lexoford is not a law firm. Full list: What Lexoford Does Not Guarantee.
Discuss your company setup
For a useful first reply, describe your activity, customer locations, number of shareholders, residence needs and target start date. A summary is enough; do not send passports or financial records through this form.
You will receive a written reply after submitting.