Arakan

Free zones

Free zone costs and visasPackages, visas and renewal by zoneFree zone rules and taxAuthority, QFZP and audit rulesFree zones by emirateFree zone price indexCost calculatorFree zone setup guide

Mainland

Mainland licences by activityApprovals, fees and setup stepsBusiness activity look-upISIC activities and where they're allowedActivity permissions by zoneIncorporation document checklist

Compare and plan

Mainland vs free zoneCompare free zonesDIFC vs ADGMCrypto (VASP) licenceAfter you incorporateSample setup report
Plan your setup with ScoutTalk to a setup adviser

For UAE companies

Your compliance managerComplyWhat applies to youScopeGovernance and board complianceGovern

Screening and records

Sanctions, PEP and adverse-media screeningVerifyStatutory records storageVault
How the platform worksFind the right app

Serve your clients

Client onboarding (KYC/CDD)OnboardClients' regulatory complianceShieldClients' FTA complianceLedgerSanctions, PEP and adverse-media screeningVerify
Partner with usAll apps

Library

Laws and rulebooksFederal, emirate, free zone and regulatorRegulatorsRegulatory updatesNew rules, circulars and consultationsLexara WeeklyThe week in UAE regulation

Topics

UAE Corporate Tax lawUAE AML regulationsVARA regulationsDFSA rulebookADGM FSRA regulations

Learn

Tax and compliance glossaryBriefingsCompliance scenariosLexara Academy
Search the law in LexaraAll resources
Pricing
Sign inStart freeTalk to an adviser
Talk to a setup adviser
Business setup

Free zones

Free zone costs and visasFree zone rules and taxFree zones by emirateFree zone price indexCost calculatorFree zone setup guide

Mainland

Mainland licences by activityBusiness activity look-upActivity permissions by zoneIncorporation document checklist

Compare and plan

Mainland vs free zoneCompare free zonesDIFC vs ADGMCrypto (VASP) licenceAfter you incorporateSample setup report
Plan your setup with ScoutTalk to a setup adviser →
Compliance

For UAE companies

Your compliance managerWhat applies to youGovernance and board compliance

Screening and records

Sanctions, PEP and adverse-media screeningStatutory records storage
How the platform worksFind the right app →
For firms

Serve your clients

Client onboarding (KYC/CDD)Clients' regulatory complianceClients' FTA complianceSanctions, PEP and adverse-media screening
Partner with usAll apps →
UAE law

Library

Laws and rulebooksRegulatorsRegulatory updatesLexara Weekly

Topics

UAE Corporate Tax lawUAE AML regulationsVARA regulationsDFSA rulebookADGM FSRA regulations

Learn

Tax and compliance glossaryBriefingsCompliance scenariosLexara Academy
Search the law in LexaraAll resources →
Pricing
Start freeSign in

Loading...

Business setup

Talk to a UAE business setup adviser

Tell us what you plan to do and an adviser will call you back. There's no charge to ask.

  • Free zone or mainland: which suits your business and budget
  • The right licence and business activity, and the approvals it needs
  • Setup and renewal costs, visas and office requirements
  • What to file after you incorporate: Corporate Tax, VAT and renewals

Request a call back

Leave your details and a short note on your business. An adviser will call you to talk through your setup.

Prefer to read first?

Free zone costs and visas Mainland licences by activity Mainland vs free zone Free zone cost calculator

Get started

Every regulation that applies
to your business. Found. Checked. Actioned.

Start free How pricing works
Arakan

UAE compliance, from company setup to filing — for UAE companies and the firms that serve them. 11 apps on one company record.

Platform

  • Product
  • Solutions
  • All apps
  • Start free
  • Pricing
  • Security

Resources

  • Briefings & Lexicon
  • Industry Scenarios
  • Free Zones Guide
  • Certification
  • Institutional Guide

Free tools & guides

  • Free zone rules and tax
  • Free zone costs and visas
  • Mainland licence activities
  • Business activity look-up
  • Laws and rulebooks
  • Regulators
  • Regulatory updates
  • Arakan Lexara Weekly

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

11 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

Atlas

UAE setup reference

Verify

Sanctions, PEP and adverse-media screening

Lexara

UAE rulebook library

Vault

Statutory records storage

Scope

What applies to you

Business setup by activity

All 2,100+ activities
Trading & ServicesManufacturingReal Estate & Business ServicesPersonal & Social ServicesTransport, Storage & LogisticsConstruction & ContractingFinancial ServicesVirtual AssetsHealth & Social WorkEducationAgriculture & FishingProfessional & Technical ServicesAccommodation & Food ServicesMining & QuarryingUtilities & Energy
Free zone setup costsFree zone price indexSetup cost calculatorMainland vs free zoneWhich zones permit your activity

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).