Mainland, Free Zone, Offshore or Holding, we advise on the structure BEFORE the licence is issued, so you don't restructure two years in.
The Ministry's clarification narrows the definition of "qualifying activities" and reintroduces substance thresholds. Here's the practical practical explanation for holding structures.
Read the briefing →DED-licensed, 100% foreign ownership on eligible activities, full-scope CT. Best for domestic trade and services.
40+ Free Zones, DMCC, JAFZA, ADGM, DIFC, RAKEZ, SPC, MEYDAN. Selected by activity, cost, and QFZP fit.
RAK ICC, JAFZA offshore. For asset holding, IP holding, and international structures with substance elsewhere.
DIFC / ADGM holding vehicles, family office structures with participation exemption baked in.
Initial stage · Activity mapping, tax structuring, jurisdiction selection, ownership design.
Documentation stage · MOA, AOA, shareholder resolutions, notarisation, translation, attestation.
Authority stage · Application submitted, followed by licence, immigration and establishment-card processing where applicable.
Post-licensing stage · Support with bank applications, tax-registration assessment and EmaraTax onboarding. Banking approval remains at the bank’s discretion.
Confirm the actual activities, customer locations, premises, ownership, visa requirements and whether Mainland or Free Zone operating restrictions matter.
Plan Corporate Tax and VAT registration, invoicing, bookkeeping, related-party records and the first financial reporting period before transactions begin.
Prepare ownership, source-of-funds, business-plan and expected-transaction evidence. Bank onboarding remains subject to each institution’s independent review.
No. Activity permissions, premises, visas, banking, customer access, tax treatment and renewal costs should be assessed together.
No. Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions, qualifying income, substance, transfer pricing and other requirements must be tested for each tax period.
No. Timelines depend on the authority, activity, approvals, document readiness and the independent compliance review performed by the selected bank.
Book a 30 minute consultation to discuss your accounting, tax or business requirements. If we are not the right fit, we'll say so and point you to someone who is.
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