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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 · RAK ICC is a good fit for holding, property in UAE. UAE · Dubai Mainland is a good fit for trading in the UAE market.

UAE · DMCC Free Zone compared with UAE · RAK ICC compared with UAE · Dubai Mainland: cost, tax, reporting and setup
Comparing3 jurisdictions
Free zone · DMCC CompanyUS$4,290Year 1 all-inStart in UAE DMCC Free Zone
Offshore · International Business CompanyUS$1,390Year 1 all-inStart in UAE RAK ICC
Onshore · LLCUS$3,490Year 1 all-inStart in UAE Dubai Mainland
Cost
Year 1 all-inUS$4,290US$1,390LowestUS$3,490
From year 2US$3,090US$1,000LowestUS$2,510
3-year cost (Starter)US$10,470US$3,390LowestUS$8,510
Tax & reporting
Headline tax0% qualifying / 9%Best0% / 9%Best9% above AED 375k
Annual auditYesNoBestYes
Public registerLimitedNot publicLimited
Setup
TypeFree zoneOffshoreOnshore
EntityDMCC CompanyInternational Business CompanyLLC
Minimum directors111
Legal systemMixedMixedMixed
Time to form2–4 weeks3–7 days3–5 weeks
Best forCommodities, trading, residency visasHolding, property in UAETrading 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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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 · RAK ICC, from US$1,000 a year based on published year-2 prices.

  • You only hold shares or other assets

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

  • You need it fast

    UAE · RAK ICC, typically 3–7 days after KYC approval.

Need all three? 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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