Company Formation
Timeline Estimator

A straightforward free zone company with a professional activity is typically licensed in 3–7 business days, with residence visas adding another 7–10, so most founders are fully done in 2–3 weeks. Mainland setups usually take slightly longer (licence in 1–2 weeks) because more government touchpoints are involved.

Several free zones issue licences in 1–2 days — sometimes the same day — when the activity needs no external approvals and all documents are ready. Choosing a professional (non-regulated) activity, a flexi-desk package, and having clear passport copies prepared upfront removes almost every common delay.

The big four: regulated activities needing external regulator approval (can add 1–3+ weeks), foreign document attestation (a week or more if not started early), trade name rejections (avoid restricted words and famous brands), and incomplete shareholder documents. Starting attestation in parallel with the licence application saves the most time.

Yes — most free zones complete the licence fully remotely with scanned documents and video KYC. You only need to be physically present for the residence visa stage: the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics must be done in the UAE.

Once the licence and establishment card are issued, each visa runs roughly 7–10 business days end to end: entry permit or status change (2–4 days), medical test and Emirates ID biometrics (2–3 days), then residency stamping (3–5 days). VIP/express medical channels can compress this by several days.

Yes. Activities supervised by an external regulator — healthcare (DHA/DoH), education (KHDA), food (municipality), financial services (SCA/DFSA) — need that regulator's approval before or alongside the licence, typically adding one to three weeks, and considerably more for financial licences.