Business setup in the UAE
Setting up in the UAE means a series of decisions that are hard to undo later: mainland or free zone, which activity, which legal form. Each one affects what you can do, where you can trade and what you will need to report.
VABS helps you work through those decisions and the paperwork that follows, then sets up the accounting and tax side at the same time — so the new company starts with clean books instead of catching up later.
What this covers
- Guidance on choosing between a mainland and a free-zone setup
- Help choosing the business activity and legal structure
- Support with the trade licence application and company documents
- Assistance opening a UAE business bank account
- VAT and Corporate Tax registration with the Federal Tax Authority
- Accounting system setup so the books are right from the first transaction
What you get out of it
- 01
Decisions made with the full picture
You choose your setup knowing what it means for licensing, banking, VAT and Corporate Tax.
- 02
One team from day one
The people who help set the company up are the ones who keep its books and prepare its returns.
- 03
No catching up later
Registrations and the accounting system are in place before the first invoice goes out.
Also worth looking at
- Accounting & BookkeepingBooks that are current, reconciled and ready for VAT, Corporate Tax and audit.
- VAT ServicesReturns filed from reconciled records, with the backup kept where you can find it.
- UAE Corporate TaxA clear position on what you owe, supported by records that back it up.
- CFO & Financial ReportingA monthly view of performance you can plan, price and hire against.
Business Setup: common questions
Can VABS help me set up a company in the UAE?
Yes. We help you choose between a mainland and a free-zone setup, pick the activity and legal structure, and work through the licence application and company documents. We also help open the business bank account and register the company for VAT and Corporate Tax, and set up the accounting so the books are right from day one.
What types of companies does VABS work with?
Startups, small and medium-sized businesses, and growing companies across the UAE — both free zone and mainland. Our clients range from single-owner companies through to established groups.
What happens during the free consultation?
A conversation, not a sales pitch. We ask how your business operates, what records you currently keep, where things are falling behind, and what your VAT and Corporate Tax position looks like. You leave with a clear view of what needs doing and what it would cost. There is no charge and no obligation to proceed.
How much do VABS accounting services cost?
Monthly accounting packages start from AED 1,000 per month for small businesses and AED 2,000 per month for medium-sized businesses. The right package depends on your transaction volume, whether you are VAT registered and what reporting you need, so the exact scope and price are confirmed after your consultation.
Talk to us about setting up a business in the UAE
Book a free consultation. We will look at where your records stand, explain what needs doing, and tell you what it costs. No charge for the conversation.
- 1We call or message you back during UAE business hours.
- 2A short conversation about your business, your records and what is due.
- 3A clear scope and price before any work starts.
Acico Business Park, Office 202, Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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