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OnboardClient onboarding (KYC/CDD)ShieldClients' regulatory complianceLedgerClients' FTA compliance

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VerifySanctions, PEP and adverse-media screeningLexaraUAE rulebook libraryVaultStatutory records storageScopeWhat applies to you
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I'm setting up a company in the UAEScout — Choose the right free zone or mainland licence before you pay for one.I run a UAE companyComply — Know what applies to your company and stay on top of it, whether it's a trading firm, a DNFBP or licensed by a financial regulator.I'm a firm serving clientsOnboard · Shield · Ledger · Verify — Deliver compliance, bookkeeping or KYC for many clients from one workspace.I'm researching UAE regulationLexara — Read the law itself and get answers that cite the article.

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UAE free zonesCosts and visas by zoneFree zone price indexFree zone cost calculatorMainland vs free zoneDIFC vs ADGM

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Mainland licence activitiesBusiness activity look-upActivity permissions by zoneIncorporation document checklistSample setup report

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ComplyYour compliance managerGovernGovernance and board complianceOnboardClient onboarding (KYC/CDD)ShieldClients' regulatory complianceLedgerClients' FTA complianceScoutPlanning your UAE setupVerifySanctions, PEP and adverse-media screeningLexaraUAE rulebook libraryVaultStatutory records storageScopeWhat applies to you

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I'm setting up a company in the UAEI run a UAE companyI'm a firm serving clientsI'm researching UAE regulation

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UAE free zonesCosts and visas by zoneFree zone price indexFree zone cost calculatorMainland vs free zoneDIFC vs ADGMMainland licence activitiesBusiness activity look-upActivity permissions by zoneIncorporation document checklistSample setup reportLaws and rulebooksRegulatorsUAE Corporate Tax lawUAE AML regulationsVARA regulationsDFSA rulebookADGM FSRA regulationsRegulatory updatesArakan Lexara WeeklyTax and compliance glossaryBriefingsCompliance scenariosLexara Academy
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Free zonesAll free zonesBy emirateCosts and visasPrice indexCost calculatorFree zone comparisonMainland vs free zoneDIFC vs ADGMBest for startupsBest for freelancersCrypto / VASP licenceFree zone authoritiesSetup guideBusiness activities →UAE law →Tax and compliance terms →

Free zone tools

By emirate Costs and visas Price index Cost calculator Free zone comparison Mainland vs free zone DIFC vs ADGM Best for startups Best for freelancers Crypto / VASP licence Free zone authorities Setup guide

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Business activities Qualifying Free Zone Person UAE Corporate Tax law Get a setup recommendation

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Arakan

UAE compliance, from company setup to filing — for UAE companies and the firms that serve them. 10 apps on one company record.

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10 apps

Comply

Your compliance manager

Govern

Governance and board compliance

Onboard

Client onboarding (KYC/CDD)

Shield

Clients' regulatory compliance

Ledger

Clients' FTA compliance

Scout

Planning your UAE setup

Verify

Sanctions, PEP and adverse-media screening

Lexara

UAE rulebook library

Vault

Statutory records storage

Scope

What applies to you

UAE free zones by emirate

View all
Dubai
DMCCDIFCJAFZADAFZADSODWCDICDMCDHCCIFZAMeydanDSCDPCDKPDOCDSPD3DIACDCCDMCDWTCGDP
Abu Dhabi
ADGMKEZADMCFZ2454ADAFZICADAAIAFZ
Sharjah
SPCSHAMSHFZASAIFSRTIPSHCC
RAK
RAKEZRAK DAORAKEZ
Ajman
ACMFZAFZAMC
Fujairah
FOIZFCCFFZ
UAQ
UAQIZUAQ FTZ

© 2026 Arakan. DIFC, Dubai, UAE.

Arakan-managed document storage: AWS me-central-1 (UAE).

Sovereign Risk Matrix.

The definitive 2026 index of UAE jurisdictions — mapping Article 18 substance requirements and audit vulnerability.

Audit Cycle

2026.Q1

Sovereign Status

Statutory Verified

Interactive Schematic

Jurisdictional Element Map

0% Tax Eligible Node

Dubai

Abu Dhabi

Sharjah

RAK

Fujairah

Ajman

UAQ

Designated Zones (DZ)

In 2026, being in a Designated Zone is the primary requirement for VAT-free goods movement. However, for Corporate Tax, DZ status is just one factor.

The 5% De Minimis Trap

The 5% De Minimis rule allows a tiny threshold of non-qualifying revenue before your entire entity is taxed at 9%.

2026 Audit Forecast

The FTA is increasingly using desk audits. Jurisdictions with a low forensic ease score are being targeted for physical substance verification.