Structure Your UAE Business: Banking, Residency & Compliance Done Right
Dubai company setup for founders who need a bankable UAE structure, not just a license. We align free zone vs mainland decisions with banking reality, residency needs, and ongoing corporate tax compliance.
Takes ~3 minutes. You'll receive a written first-pass plan and next steps.
What You Get
Clear deliverables. No vague advisory.
Recommended structure (Free Zone / Mainland / SPV)
Banking readiness checklist + document requirements
Cost range + step-by-step timeline
Residency pathway guidance (if needed)
Compliance plan (corporate tax, VAT thresholds, renewals)
Built For These Scenarios
Common scenarios where UAE structuring matters most (banking, residency, and compliance).
Global Founders Expanding into the UAE
You want a real operating structure, not a trade license that can't bank, invoice, or scale.
Consultants, Freelancers & Agency Owners
Stable client revenue, international billing, and scaling. You need a structure that banks, invoices, and stays compliant.
Online Business Owners
Tax-efficient structuring with substance, without unnecessary complexity or surprises.
Property Investors Using UAE SPVs
Acquiring Dubai property and need the right SPV structure, banking support, and compliance from day one.
What Makes Us Different
Most firms sell registrations.
We design bankable structures that can actually open accounts, invoice cleanly, and survive compliance.
Banking-first planning
Designed around bank requirements, not just licensing.
Transparent cost ranges
Clear ranges early. Full breakdown before you commit.
Corporate tax clarity
Plain-English guidance. Clean compliance. No gimmicks.
Residency aligned
Visa pathway aligned to structure and banking.
Compliance built in
Tax, VAT (if applicable), renewals, deadlines.
Ongoing support
Retainers available. We stay involved.
Your structure should answer:
Will this setup be accepted by UAE banks?
What are my corporate tax obligations?
Can I invoice internationally with clean documentation?
What compliance deadlines do I need to track?
If your current advisor can't answer these clearly, we should talk.
How It Works
A clear path from assessment to ongoing support.
Assess
Business model, goals, banking profile
Structure
Free zone vs mainland vs SPV, tax + residency alignment
Execute
Incorporation + documentation + banking guidance
Support
Compliance retainers + partner coordination
Want a conservative plan before spending?
Get Initial UAE Setup Guidance — structure direction, bank readiness, cost bands, and timeline.
Real Cost Ranges (2026)
Realistic ranges based on current market conditions.
Ranges vary by license activity, visa allocation, office requirement, and whether banking requires enhanced due diligence.
Exact UAE company formation cost depends on activity, banking profile, and residency needs. You'll get a breakdown before committing.
Banking Reality
What you need to know before you start.
UAE corporate bank accounts are not automatic.
Banks may require:
We plan your setup around banking reality — not after.
Your structure should match how banks assess risk. That's what we design for.
No promises. Just proper preparation.
UAE Corporate Tax — Quickly Explained
The basics — and what they mean for your structure.
0%
on profits up to AED 375,000
9%
above that threshold
VAT
applies if revenue exceeds AED 375,000
Free Zones
can offer advantages — but substance matters
We help you stay compliant while optimizing legally.
We'll tell you what applies to your situation and what doesn't.
We provide structuring guidance and coordinate licensed tax/accounting partners for formal advice and filing.
Common Setup Mistakes That Kill Banking or Create Tax Problems
Avoid these pitfalls — or pay later.
Wrong activity or license category
Banks reject applications when your license doesn't match your actual business activity.
Paper companies without substance
Structures lacking real operations fail banking checks and create tax residency issues.
Weak source-of-funds documentation
Banks need clear proof of where your capital comes from. Incomplete docs = rejection.
Mixing personal and business flows
Using business accounts for personal expenses creates compliance problems and bank scrutiny.
Ignoring tax/VAT thresholds and no ongoing compliance
Late filings mean penalties. Most agents disappear after setup — you're left managing renewals alone.
Representative Client Outcomes
Examples of what "done properly" looks like in 2026.
Examples based on common client patterns (details simplified).
International Relocator (UK/EU/Africa)
- •Company + residency structured as one plan (not separate add-ons)
- •Bank account process prepared with source-of-funds pack and activity alignment
- •Typical end-to-end timeline: 6–10 weeks (license → visa → banking readiness)
Result: Relocation-ready setup that can invoice, bank, and stay compliant.
Consultants, Freelancers & Agency Owners
- •UAE structure built to support global invoicing and clean client contracts
- •Banking readiness pack built around actual revenue flows (not vague "consulting")
- •Compliance plan set early (CT/VAT thresholds + renewals)
Result: A bankable UAE setup that looks legitimate on paper and in practice.
Property Investor (SPV)
- •SPV used to ring-fence asset risk from operating income
- •Bank readiness aligned to property purchase timeline and documentation
- •Ongoing compliance plan mapped for renewals + reporting
Result: Clean ownership structure built to acquire and hold Dubai property properly.
International Relocator (UK/EU/Africa)
Consultants, Freelancers & Agency Owners
Property Investor (SPV)
Why Clients Choose OAHKS
We build operational businesses — not paper companies.
Banking-aligned setup
Clear costs upfront
No generic templates
Long-term compliance
Cross-border expertise
Substance over paper
Common Questions
Clear answers on UAE setup, banking, and compliance.
Ready to structure your UAE business properly?
Start with the assessment. We'll map the structure, costs, timeline, and banking readiness.
Takes ~3 minutes. You'll receive a written first-pass plan and next steps.