StrataLink Blog
Practical guides on company formation, free zones, Golden Visas, banking, and compliance — written for founders from India, Singapore, Hong Kong, and beyond.
The UAE freelance visa lets independent professionals live and work in the UAE without forming a full company. This guide compares the three best free zones for freelance permits in 2026, covers eligibility, costs, banking options, and the difference between a freelance permit and a standard free zone licence.
SHAMS is one of the UAE's most cost-effective free zones for digital, media, and creative businesses. This guide covers licence types, costs, visa packages, banking access, and how it compares to IFZA, Meydan, and Ajman for founders looking to keep overheads low without sacrificing UAE credibility.
A UAE holding company sits above your operating entities, holds assets, and separates ownership from operations. This guide covers the best UAE jurisdictions for holding companies, the tax and asset protection benefits, how to structure one above a free zone or mainland operating entity, and when it makes sense.
Indian founders setting up a UAE company need to navigate FEMA, the Liberalised Remittance Scheme, and Overseas Direct Investment rules before transferring money abroad. This guide covers every regulatory step, the documents UAE free zones require from Indian applicants, and how the India-UAE DTAA affects your structure.
UAE foundations established under ADGM and DIFC laws give high-net-worth families a robust structure for protecting assets, planning succession, and managing multi-generational wealth transfers. This guide covers the legal framework, setup process, and when a foundation is the right choice over a trust or holding company.
You do not need to be in Dubai to set up a UAE company. Most free zone formations are completed entirely remotely, with documents signed digitally and licences delivered by email. This guide covers every step, from jurisdiction selection to banking, for founders based in India, Singapore, Hong Kong, and beyond.
DIFC and ADGM offer regulated fund management for institutional structures. IFZA and Meydan handle investment holding companies cost-effectively. Mainland DED gives full UAE market access. This guide maps the right structure to your investment thesis, with DTAA and FEMA considerations for Indian founders.
Each guide links to the service page where you can get a quote.
Free Zone Formation
IFZA, Meydan, SHAMS, Ajman
Mainland Formation
Dubai & Abu Dhabi DED
Offshore Formation
Seychelles, Panama, IFZA Offshore
UAE Golden Visa
10-year residency for investors
Bank Account Help
6 UAE banking partners
Corporate Tax & VAT
FTA filing & compliance
Setup from Asia
India, Singapore, Hong Kong
Business Center
Flexi desks & registered address
Quick answers — sourced from the questions StrataLink clients ask most often.
UAE free zone company formation costs vary by jurisdiction, licence type, and number of visas required. The total cost includes the trade licence fee, establishment card, and mandatory medical insurance. StrataLink provides a full itemised quote before any commitment — get in touch for a personalised breakdown.
Yes. Most UAE free zone companies can be formed entirely remotely. The process involves submitting notarised copies of your passport and address proof, signing documents digitally or via courier, and receiving your licence and Emirates ID by mail. StrataLink completes the full process without requiring the founder to travel.
The UAE Corporate Tax rate is 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000. Income below AED 375,000 is taxed at 0%. Free zone companies that meet Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) conditions continue to benefit from a 0% rate on qualifying income. The UAE has no personal income tax.
UAE free zone company formation typically takes 7–10 business days from document submission to licence issuance. Mainland formation in Dubai takes 10–15 business days depending on the Department of Economy and Tourism queue. Bank account activation adds a further 2–4 weeks.
The UAE Golden Visa grants 10-year residency to investors (AED 2 million minimum property or public investment), entrepreneurs with an approved UAE business, skilled professionals in priority sectors, and outstanding students. Indian, Singaporean, and Hong Kong nationals commonly qualify via the investor or entrepreneur pathway.
Have a different question? See the full FAQ or speak to the team.
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