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Compare jurisdictions side by side

See 2 or 3 jurisdictions side by side: all-in cost for year 1 and year 2, headline tax, audit, registers and time to form. UAE · DMCC Free Zone is a good fit for commodities, trading, residency visas. UAE · Dubai Mainland is a good fit for trading in the UAE market.

UAE · DMCC Free Zone compared with UAE · Dubai Mainland: cost, tax, reporting and setup
Comparing2 jurisdictions
Free zone · DMCC CompanyUS$4,290Year 1 all-inStart in UAE DMCC Free Zone
Onshore · LLCUS$3,490Year 1 all-inStart in UAE Dubai Mainland
Cost
Year 1 all-inUS$4,290US$3,490Lowest
From year 2US$3,090US$2,510Lowest
3-year cost (Starter)US$10,470US$8,510Lowest
Tax & reporting
Headline tax0% qualifying / 9%Best9% above AED 375k
Annual auditYesYes
Public registerLimitedLimited
Setup
TypeFree zoneOnshore
EntityDMCC CompanyLLC
Minimum directors11
Legal systemMixedMixed
Time to form2–4 weeks3–5 weeks
Best forCommodities, trading, residency visasTrading in the UAE market
A green tick marks the stronger value in a row. Prices include government fees and, for Singapore, the resident director a non-resident needs. Yearly costs the law requires but that we quote separately are named under the figure; rows with such costs show no tick. Headline tax rates are a summary; your specialist confirms how they apply to you before you pay.

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AI answers from OCC’s published prices & facts · no sign-up

Which one for your situation

  • You need a business bank account soon

    UAE · Dubai Mainland. Banks usually find onshore companies easier to assess, but each bank decides.

  • You want a lower running cost

    UAE · Dubai Mainland, from US$2,510 a year based on published year-2 prices.

  • You only hold shares or other assets

    UAE · DMCC Free Zone. Your home country may still tax the income, so check that first (confirm with your specialist).

  • You need it fast

    UAE · DMCC Free Zone, typically 2–4 weeks after KYC approval.

Need both? Some owners hold one company under another. We quote the whole structure as one package.Get a structure quote

General guidance based on headline rules, not tax or legal advice. Your specialist confirms how tax residency, substance and banking apply to you before you pay.

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