Setting Up a Free Zone Company in Dubai: My Complete Experience

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Setting Up a Free Zone Company in Dubai: My Complete Experience

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Setting up a free zone company in Dubai in 2023 was one of the most confusing processes I've ever gone through. Over 40 free zones to choose from, hundreds of agents with questionable reviews, wildly different pricing from £3,000 to £100,000 and zero clarity on who to trust. In this episode, I walk you through the exact process I followed to set up my Dubai free zone company in May 2023, including the mistakes I avoided, the hidden fees I uncovered and why I decided to go direct with the free zone instead of using an agent. If you're thinking about setting up in Dubai, already started the process or just want to understand what's involved before committing thousands, this episode will save you time, money and a lot of frustration. Moving to Dubai or splitting time between countries? Roam Rule helps you track tax residency days, visa limits and Schengen stays from your iPhone. Start your 14 day free trial here: https://roamrule.com/download/bm Want to start a business in Dubai but not sure how? Get Referred to directly to a free zone: https://aaronhenriques.com/dubai or Check Eligibility with Entry Expert: https://theentryexpert.com/aaron Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction: Why I'm Sharing My Dubai Company Setup Experience 00:00:27 The Agency Trap: Do You Really Need a Setup Agent? 00:01:37 Choosing Your Free Zone: Research Process and Red Flags 00:03:47 Understanding Business Categories and Trading Restrictions 00:05:36 Office Space Requirements and Lease Agreements 00:06:07 The Real Costs: £3,700 Annual Fee Breakdown 00:07:18 Navigating the Application Process and Business Categories 00:10:19 Residency Visa Decision and Share Capital Requirements 00:16:26 Making Payment: Avoiding Credit Card Fees with Wise 00:19:35 Documents You'll Receive and What They Mean 00:21:33 The Banking Challenge: Opening Your UAE Business Account 00:23:50 Tax Residency Reality Check and Double Tax Treaties 00:24:54 Final Thoughts: Why Going Direct Was the Right Choice Connect with Aaron Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aaronhenray/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aaronhenray Website: https://aaronhenriques.com/ © 2026 Handlr Media Ltd. All rights reserved. This content is for general information only and is not financial, legal, tax or professional advice. Some links may be affiliate or referral links, which means we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclaimer: https://aaronhenriques.com/disclaimer

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