UAE Free Zone Company Setup
Free zone companies and the 0% qualifying income regime
- 1ChooseZone matched to activities and customers.
- 2FormLicence and registrations.
- 3QualifySubstance, books and audit maintained.
Share your details. We’ll reply on WhatsApp with the next steps and a checklist.
Pick a plan — the fee is adjusted if you hire us within 30 days.
About UAE Free Zone Company Setup
A clear overview, in simple terms — what it is, why it matters, and how we handle it.
UAE free zones offer quick company setup with 100% foreign ownership. For corporate tax, a Qualifying Free Zone Person pays 0% on qualifying income and 9% on other income, provided it maintains adequate substance in the free zone, earns qualifying income, keeps non-qualifying revenue within the de minimis limit (5% of revenue or AED 5 million), prepares audited financial statements and doesn't elect for the standard regime.
The 0% rate is not automatic. Selling directly to mainland customers, certain service income and weak substance can push a free-zone company into the 9% regime. Choosing the zone and contract structure with this in mind matters more than the licence fee.
We help select the zone, coordinate setup with partner agents, and keep the books, audit and corporate tax return aligned with the qualifying rules.
| Ownership | 100% foreign |
|---|---|
| Qualifying income | 0% corporate tax |
| Other income | 9% |
| De minimis | Non-qualifying revenue ≤ 5% or AED 5 million |
| Requirement | Audited financial statements and adequate substance |
Work that the law requires a licensed local adviser to sign or represent is delivered through Indus Tax's partner professionals; our team prepares the records, coordinates the filing and stays your single point of contact.
Who this is for
Common scenarios where this service is a good fit.
- International trading and services businesses
- Holding and IP companies
- E-commerce and tech startups
What you get
Clear deliverables so you know exactly what's included.
- Zone selection
- Setup via partner agents
- QFZP compliance plan
- Books, audit and tax returns
Expert review before every submission — not just data entry.
Working notes and reconciliations you can rely on in future notices.
Resident Indians, NRIs, expats and cross-border businesses — all served.
Documents required
A practical checklist. We'll tell you if anything else is needed based on your case.
* This is a base checklist. After a quick pre-check, we may ask for additional items specific to your case.
Process
A simple, trackable workflow — designed to avoid back-and-forth.
Zone matched to activities and customers.
Licence and registrations.
Substance, books and audit maintained.
Get a quote
We share a clear quote on WhatsApp after a quick checklist pre-check.
- Fixed quote on WhatsApp after a short look at your facts and documents.
- Work that legally needs a licensed local adviser is signed by a partner professional; we coordinate it end to end.
- Government fees, if any, are paid at actuals and shown separately.
| Factor | DIY | Indus Tax |
|---|---|---|
| Expert review | ❌ | ✅ |
| Notice risk reduction | ❌ | ✅ |
| Deduction optimisation | ❌ | ✅ |
| Audit-ready records | ❌ | ✅ |
| AIS/26AS reconciliation | ❌ | ✅ |
Share your facts and deadline. We'll reply with the right checklist and a clear quote.
Fee adjusted against our service fee if you go ahead within 30 days.
- Priority CA Call-backSkip the queue — a CA calls you within 30 minutes.₹255
- RecommendedCA Consultation (30 min)Talk one matter through properly with a CA.₹755
- In-depth CA Review (60 min)Documents reviewed before the call, written action plan after.₹1,155
Call-backs run Mon–Sat, 9 AM–6 PM IST. Booked outside these hours? We call you first thing the next working morning.
Compare the 3 plansFrequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions we get.
Official sources
Indus Tax is a private professional services firm and is not affiliated with any government authority. Rules and fees change — we confirm current positions before filing.
