Sirius Global Solutions Limited provides end-to-end UAE company registration services for UK businesses and individuals — covering Dubai Mainland LLC, Freezone incorporation (DMCC, ADGM, JAFZA, IFZA, SPC, RAKEZ), and offshore holding structures, fully managed from our Stanmore office. UK-UAE double tax treaty planning included.
UK to UAE · Company Registration · 100% Foreign Ownership
Register a Company
in UAE Managed from the UK, end-to-end
Sirius Global Solutions guides UK businesses and individuals through the full UAE company registration process — Mainland LLC, Freezone, or Offshore — handling documentation, licence applications, bank account introductions, and post-incorporation compliance from our Stanmore office. No UAE travel required in most cases.
Each structure serves a different commercial purpose. We recommend the right route based on your trading activities, customer geography, tax objectives, and residency requirements.
🏢Most Flexible
UAE Mainland LLC
A Limited Liability Company registered with the UAE Department of Economic Development (DED) — the most flexible structure, enabling trading across the entire UAE without restriction, bidding for government contracts, and operating from any commercial location in the emirate.
100% foreign ownership (since 2021 CCL amendment)
Trade freely across all UAE emirates
Eligible for UAE government tenders and contracts
Physical office address required in the emirate
Subject to 9% UAE Corporate Tax on taxable profits above AED 375k
🏗️Most Common for UK
UAE Freezone Company
A company incorporated within one of the UAE's 40+ designated economic freezones — offering fast setup, 100% foreign ownership, specific sector ecosystems, and Qualifying Freezone Person status for 0% corporate tax on eligible income under the UAE Corporate Tax Law.
100% foreign ownership — no UAE partner required
0% Corporate Tax on Qualifying Income (substance requirements apply)
Fast incorporation — 7 to 14 days in most freezones
Virtual or flexi-desk office options available
Direct mainland sales require distributor or dual licence
🏦Holding & IP Structure
UAE Offshore Company
An offshore holding vehicle incorporated in JAFZA Offshore or RAK International Corporate Centre (RAK ICC) — used by UK businesses to hold international assets, intellectual property, or investment portfolios without the need for physical UAE operations or UAE residency visas.
100% foreign ownership — full privacy of beneficial ownership
Ideal for IP holding, real estate, or investment portfolios
No physical UAE office or visa required
Cannot conduct commercial trading within the UAE
No UAE residency visas issued
Supported Freezones
UAE Free Zones We Register UK Companies In
Each UAE free zone has distinct sector specialisms, cost structures, and substance requirements. Sirius Global Solutions matches your business activities to the most appropriate jurisdiction.
DMCC — Dubai
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre
The world's largest free zone by registered companies. Covers commodities, trading, finance, technology, and professional services. Excellent global reputation and banking access.
Trading · Commodities · Fintech
ADGM — Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Global Market
An international financial centre with English common law jurisdiction. Preferred by financial services, fund managers, fintech firms, and professional advisory businesses targeting the Abu Dhabi market.
Finance · Legal · Professional Services
JAFZA — Dubai
Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority
Strategically located adjacent to Jebel Ali Port — the largest port in the Middle East. Ideal for logistics, manufacturing, import-export, and businesses requiring warehousing near a major trade gateway.
Logistics · Trade · Manufacturing
IFZA — Dubai
International Free Zone Authority
One of the UAE's most cost-effective and flexible freezones for general trading, consultancy, and professional services. Fully remote setup with competitive licence fees — popular with UK entrepreneurs.
Consulting · General Trading · Tech
SPC Free Zone — Sharjah
Sharjah Publishing City
A creatively focused free zone supporting media, publishing, e-commerce, digital content, and professional services. Offers multi-activity licences and low-cost entry packages suited to UK digital businesses.
Media · E-Commerce · Publishing
RAKEZ — Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone
A cost-competitive freezone in Ras Al Khaimah offering low licence fees, fast registration, and a wide range of activities. Increasingly popular with UK SMEs and entrepreneurs seeking affordable UAE market entry.
SME-Friendly · Low Cost · Fast Setup
Not sure which free zone suits your business? We assess your sector, target customers, and budget to make the right recommendation.
Every UAE incorporation managed by Sirius Global Solutions follows the same structured six-step workflow — designed to achieve registration as efficiently as possible while ensuring every compliance obligation is met from day one.
01
Jurisdiction & Structure Selection
We review your business activities, target market geography, tax planning objectives, and UAE residency visa needs to recommend the optimal structure — Mainland, Freezone, or Offshore — and the specific licensing authority.
02
Trade Name Registration & Activity Approval
We register your preferred trade name with DED or the chosen free zone authority, check name availability and compliance with UAE naming rules, and confirm the correct licensed business activities for your licence application.
03
Document Preparation & UK Notarisation
We prepare the Memorandum of Association and application forms, advise on UK passport notarisation and apostille requirements for overseas documents, and coordinate any Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation where required by the UAE authority.
04
Licence Submission & Certificate Issuance
We submit the complete licence application to the UAE authority, manage any responses, queries, or additional information requests, and obtain your UAE trade licence, certificate of incorporation, and memorandum of association.
05
Corporate Bank Account Introduction
We introduce your new UAE entity to appropriate banking partners — Emirates NBD, Mashreq, RAKBANK, and challenger options — and prepare your account opening documentation for the bank's enhanced due diligence review of foreign-owned entities.
06
Post-Incorporation Compliance Setup
We establish your UAE UBO register, advise on ESR notification obligations, arrange UAE VAT (5%) registration where applicable, and set up a dual UK + UAE compliance calendar — ensuring no filing deadline or annual licence renewal is ever missed.
What You Need
Documents Required for UAE Company Registration
UK applicants — whether individuals or corporate shareholders — need a specific set of documents for UAE authority submission. We advise on notarisation and apostille requirements for each item based on your chosen jurisdiction.
Certified true copy of each shareholder's and director's UK passport. Some freezones require notarisation by a UK notary public and apostille from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office.
UK Residential Address Proof
Utility bill, bank statement, or HMRC correspondence confirming UK residential address — dated within the last three months. For corporate shareholders, a registered office address confirmation is required.
UK Certificate of Incorporation
Required when a UK-registered company is the UAE entity's shareholder. Must be notarised and apostilled, along with a certified copy of the UK company's Memorandum and Articles of Association.
Business Activity Description
A written description of the proposed UAE business activities, including target customers, expected revenue streams, and any relevant industry licences required for the specific activities.
Source of Funds Declaration
UAE banks and some freezones require a source of funds declaration or a reference letter from a UK bank confirming the applicant's financial standing — particularly for entities with higher share capital or banking in regulated sectors.
No Objection Certificate (If Applicable)
If any director or shareholder is already employed or operating a business in the UAE, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their existing UAE employer or sponsor may be required by the new licensing authority.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Mainland vs Freezone vs Offshore — Full Comparison
Use this table to compare the three UAE structures across the criteria that matter most to UK business owners before deciding on your registration route.
✔ = Yes / available | ✗ = No / not available | ~ = Partial / conditions apply
Criteria
Mainland LLC
Freezone Company
Offshore Company
100% Foreign Ownership
✔
✔
✔
Trade Across UAE Mainland
✔
~ (via distributor)
✗
UAE Government Contracts Eligible
✔
✗
✗
Physical Office Required
✔
~ (flexi-desk available)
✗
UAE Residency Visa Available
✔
✔
✗
0% Corporate Tax on Qualifying Income
✗
✔ (QFP rules apply)
~ (no UAE income)
Typical Setup Timeline
14–30 days
7–14 days
5–10 days
Audit Requirement
✔ (annual)
✔ (most freezones)
~ (varies by authority)
Remote Registration from UK
~ (POA may be needed)
✔ (most freezones)
✔
ESR Notification Obligations
✔ (entity-level)
✔ (entity-level)
~ (activity-dependent)
Best for: International Trading & Export
✔
✔
✗
Best for: IP Holding & Investments
~
~
✔
Tax Clarity
The UK-UAE Double Taxation Agreement Explained
The UK and UAE signed a comprehensive Double Taxation Agreement in 2016, in force since 2017. It establishes rules that prevent the same income being taxed in both countries and provides a framework for determining which territory has taxing rights over different categories of income.
Understanding how the DTA interacts with UK Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules, UAE Corporate Tax (9%), and UK personal tax on overseas income is essential for UK individuals and companies with UAE entities. We map the full tax position before you commit to any structure.
UAE does not levy withholding tax on dividends paid to UK shareholders
UK residents must declare and pay UK tax on income extracted from their UAE company
UK CFC rules may attribute undistributed UAE profits to UK corporate shareholders
UAE Freezone QFP status achievable with proper substance — 0% on qualifying income
UAE Corporate Tax at 9% applies to profits above AED 375,000 for non-qualifying entities
UAE VAT at 5% applies if taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000 — registration required
DTA Article 5 permanent establishment rules apply if UK staff manage UAE entity from UK
Sirius Global Solutions models the full dual-jurisdiction tax position before incorporation
Why Choose Us
Why UK Businesses Choose Sirius Global Solutions for UAE Setup
6+
Freezones Supported
DMCC, ADGM, JAFZA, IFZA, SPC, and RAKEZ — we match you to the freezone that fits your sector, budget, and substance requirements.
7–21
Days to Incorporation
Freezone incorporations as fast as seven days once documents are complete. We prepare everything to maximise speed without sacrificing compliance accuracy.
2-in-1
UK + UAE Compliance
A single relationship managing both your UK and UAE compliance calendars — no gaps, no confusion between two independent advisors operating in silos.
2017
DTA Expertise
UK-UAE Double Tax Agreement in force since 2017. We plan your structure against both the DTA and UAE Corporate Tax Law — protecting you from double taxation exposure.
Video Guide
Watch: UAE Company Registration from the UK Explained
In four minutes, our UAE incorporation advisors walk through every decision point — structure selection, key free zones, the six registration steps, UK-UAE tax treaty planning, and what annual compliance looks like once you're trading.
Yes. Following the UAE's landmark Commercial Companies Law amendment in 2021, foreign nationals — including UK citizens and UK-registered companies — can own 100% of a UAE Mainland LLC in the vast majority of business sectors without requiring a UAE national partner. Certain strategic sectors such as oil and gas exploration, banking, and insurance retain local ownership requirements, but these represent a minority of commercial activities. Sirius Global Solutions confirms your sector's ownership eligibility before starting any incorporation process.
A Freezone company is incorporated within a designated economic zone — typically faster to set up (7 to 14 days), cheaper in licence fees, and eligible for 0% corporate tax on Qualifying Income under the UAE Corporate Tax Law. However, Freezone companies cannot sell directly to UAE mainland customers without either appointing a mainland distributor or obtaining a dual licence. A Mainland LLC has no geographic trading restriction within the UAE, can bid for government contracts, and generally suits businesses with significant UAE domestic market ambitions. Both structures now permit 100% UK ownership. We model both options against your specific activities before recommending a route.
In most cases, no. The majority of Freezone incorporations — including IFZA, RAKEZ, and SPC Free Zone — can be completed entirely remotely using notarised and apostilled UK documents. DMCC and ADGM may require a virtual or in-person compliance interview. Corporate bank account opening typically requires either a virtual or in-person meeting with the bank's compliance team, as UAE banks apply enhanced due diligence to foreign-owned entities. We prepare you thoroughly for every bank meeting and, where possible, introduce you to institutions with streamlined non-resident onboarding processes.
The UK-UAE Double Taxation Agreement — signed in 2016 and in force since 2017 — prevents the same income being taxed in both countries. The UAE does not levy withholding tax on dividends paid to UK shareholders, so profits can be repatriated to the UK without UAE deduction. However, UK residents must still report and pay UK income tax or corporation tax on those profits under UK domestic rules, subject to any treaty-based reliefs. UK CFC rules may also attribute undistributed UAE company profits to UK corporate shareholders. The specific treatment depends on your UK residency status, the nature of UAE profits, and whether the entity is managed and controlled from the UAE or the UK. Sirius Global Solutions models the full UK-UAE tax position for each client before incorporation.
The UAE introduced federal Corporate Tax (CT) at 9% on taxable profits above AED 375,000 for financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023. Qualifying Freezone Persons (QFPs) — Freezone entities meeting substance, audited accounts, and non-qualifying income requirements — benefit from a 0% rate on their Qualifying Income. Income from mainland UAE customers, passive income from UAE sources, or revenues failing the qualifying conditions is subject to the 9% standard rate. All UAE entities must register with the Federal Tax Authority and file an annual corporate tax return. We review your revenue mix to determine QFP eligibility and structure activities to maintain that status where possible.
Under standard Freezone operating conditions, a Freezone company cannot conduct direct commercial activities with UAE mainland customers without either appointing a registered mainland distributor or commercial agent, or obtaining a dual licence (Freezone licence plus mainland branch). Since June 2023, direct mainland sales also risk the Freezone entity losing its Qualifying Freezone Person status for corporate tax purposes, making the 9% rate applicable to those revenues. We help clients structure mainland access correctly — through distribution agreements, dual licences, or a separate mainland entity — preserving commercial flexibility without sacrificing tax efficiency.
Ongoing annual compliance for a UAE Freezone company includes: trade licence renewal (typically AED 5,000 to AED 25,000+ depending on the freezone and activities); audited financial statements prepared by a UAE-registered auditor (required by most freezones and mandatory for corporate tax registration); Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) register maintenance and disclosure to the relevant authority; Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) annual notification and, where triggered, substantive report submission; UAE Corporate Tax registration with the Federal Tax Authority and annual corporate tax return filing; and UAE VAT registration (5%) if taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000. Sirius Global Solutions maintains a coordinated dual UK + UAE compliance calendar for every incorporated client, ensuring no renewal or filing is missed.
Start Your UAE Registration
Speak to Our UAE Incorporation Team
Complete the enquiry form and one of our UAE incorporation advisors will contact you within 24 hours to discuss structure selection, costs, timelines, and UK-UAE tax planning.