Company Formation for Software & IT Services Businesses
Free Zone & Mainland, UAE
End-to-end UAE company setup for software and IT services businesses — the right structure, licence, visa and bank account, set up by an accountant who'll also keep you tax-compliant from day one.
Who we help
Free Zone vs Mainland — the decision that shapes everything
This is the first and most important choice, and it affects your ownership, costs, where you can trade, and your tax position. Free Zones offer 100% foreign ownership, fast cost-effective setup and potential 0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income — ideal for most software and online businesses. Mainland makes sense if you need to trade directly in the local UAE market. We help you choose with eyes open, not guesswork.
Choosing the right Free Zone
Not all Free Zones are equal for tech. They differ on cost, permitted activities, visa quotas and reputation — IFZA and Meydan are popular for cost-efficiency, DMCC for scale and credibility, and Dubai Internet City for a dedicated tech ecosystem. We match the jurisdiction to your activities, budget and growth plans, so you don't overpay or outgrow it in year one.
Licence, visa and bank account
We handle the trade licence end to end — activity selection, name reservation, approvals and incorporation documents — then guide you through residence visas and the corporate bank account, which is often the trickiest part for new tech companies. The result: you're properly set up and operational.
Set up compliant from day one
Because we're accountants, not just a setup agent, we don't stop at the licence. We register you for Corporate Tax and VAT where required and set up your bookkeeping — so you launch fully compliant and never face a nasty surprise down the line.
How we work
Advise
We understand your business model, clients and budget, then recommend the right structure — Free Zone or Mainland — and the best-fit jurisdiction.
Licence
We handle the trade licence: activity selection, name reservation, approvals and incorporation documents.
Set up
We guide your residence visa and corporate bank account, and get you operational.
Stay compliant
We register you for Corporate Tax and VAT where needed and set up your bookkeeping — so you start fully compliant.
What our company formation service includes
Company Formation FAQs
Free Zone or Mainland — which is right for my tech business?
It depends on who you sell to and how you operate. Free Zones offer 100% foreign ownership, a fast, cost-effective setup and potential 0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income, and suit most software, SaaS and online businesses. Mainland suits you if you need to trade directly within the UAE market or win certain local/government contracts. We weigh it up for your specific case.
Can I own 100% of my company?
Yes. Free Zone companies have always allowed 100% foreign ownership, and most Mainland activities now do too. We confirm the rules for your chosen activity and jurisdiction.
Which Free Zone is best — and cheapest — for a tech company?
It varies by cost, permitted activities, visa quota and reputation. Popular options for tech include IFZA and Meydan for cost-efficiency, DMCC for prestige and scale, and Dubai Internet City for a dedicated tech ecosystem. We match the zone to your goals and budget.
Do I need a physical office?
Many Free Zones offer flexi-desk or shared-desk packages that satisfy the requirement without a full office, which keeps early costs down. We pick a package that fits your needs and visa requirements.
Can I run my UAE company from abroad?
Often yes, depending on the structure and your substance and tax obligations. There are important Corporate Tax substance considerations to get right, which we'll walk you through before you decide.
Will I get a residence visa?
Most company formations include visa eligibility for the owner and, depending on the package, employees. We guide you through the visa process as part of setup.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is general guidance only and does not constitute financial, tax, legal, or business-setup advice. UAE Free Zone, Mainland and tax regulations change, and every situation is different. Please consult a qualified professional — such as Khizr UAE — before making any financial or business decision. Khizr UAE accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on the content of this page.
Set up your UAE tech company the right way.
Book a free consultation with Sadik Panjwani, ACA, to choose the right structure and launch compliant from day one.
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