Set Up Your UAE Free Zone Establishment with Accounting Included
- 0% tax on qualifying free zone income
- 100% foreign ownership
- Single-shareholder FZE structure
- Global trading and invoicing
- Built for tax efficiency and profit retention
Launch your UAE Free Zone Establishment with full foreign ownership, zero-tax advantages, and seamless access to global markets. Persona Finance handles your company setup from start to finish and includes your first year of accounting at no extra cost. From year two, our fixed monthly support keeps your FZE compliant with UAE corporate tax and VAT while providing expert bookkeeping and ongoing advisory, so you can focus on growing your business.
At Persona Finance, we make it straightforward to establish your UAE Free Zone Establishment with confidence. Setting up a company abroad should not feel risky or confusing. Our specialists guide you through the structure, handle the registration, and support you through every step so your FZE is compliant, bankable, and ready to operate from day one.
What is an FZE in the UAE?
An FZE (Free Zone Establishment) is a UAE free zone company designed for businesses with a single shareholder. It is one of the most widely used structures for international trading, consulting, holding companies, and online businesses operating from the UAE.
When structured correctly, an FZE allows you to run global operations from the UAE while benefiting from the free zone tax regime and full foreign ownership.
Why founders choose an FZE
An FZE is built for entrepreneurs who want control, efficiency, and international reach. It allows you to:
Important operating rule
An FZE cannot trade directly inside the UAE mainland unless it uses an authorised distributor or agent. This is not a limitation for international businesses, but it must be considered when choosing your business model and free zone.
Why set up your FZE with Persona Finance
Most FZE providers focus only on issuing licences. Persona Finance focuses on whether your company will actually work.
We help you choose the correct free zone, licence, and activity so your business is acceptable to banks, aligned with tax rules, and scalable over time. Our team supports you through registration, visas, banking preparation, and ongoing compliance, so your UAE company is built for real operations, not just paperwork.
If you want your FZE structured correctly from the start, speak to a Persona Finance specialist today.
What is an FZE in the UAE?
An FZE (Free Zone Establishment) is a UAE free zone company designed for businesses with a single shareholder. It is one of the most widely used structures for international trading, consulting, holding companies, and online businesses operating from the UAE.
When structured correctly, an FZE allows you to run global operations from the UAE while benefiting from the free zone tax regime and full foreign ownership.
Why founders choose an FZE
An FZE is built for entrepreneurs who want control, efficiency, and international reach. It allows you to:
- Trade and invoice clients worldwide from a UAE company
- Own 100% of your business without a local partner
- Access the UAE free zone corporate tax regime on qualifying income
- Operate through a clean, internationally recognised legal entity
Important operating rule
An FZE cannot trade directly inside the UAE mainland unless it uses an authorised distributor or agent. This is not a limitation for international businesses, but it must be considered when choosing your business model and free zone.
Why set up your FZE with Persona Finance
Most FZE providers focus only on issuing licences. Persona Finance focuses on whether your company will actually work.
We help you choose the correct free zone, licence, and activity so your business is acceptable to banks, aligned with tax rules, and scalable over time. Our team supports you through registration, visas, banking preparation, and ongoing compliance, so your UAE company is built for real operations, not just paperwork.
If you want your FZE structured correctly from the start, speak to a Persona Finance specialist today.
Frequently Asked Questions about FZE Setup and Compliance
Here are the top questions we receive from founders looking to establish an FZE in the UAE. If your question is not listed, contact us for personalised guidance.
Many founders choose a free zone based only on price. This often leads to rejected bank accounts, restricted visa quotas, or losing access to the free zone tax regime. Fixing these mistakes later usually costs more than doing it correctly at the start.
An FZE is not just registered and forgotten. You must renew licences, maintain economic substance, file corporate tax returns where required, and keep compliant accounting records. Persona Finance supports you beyond incorporation so your company remains bankable and tax-efficient year after year.
An FZE is ideal if you are a consultant, online business, software company, trading business, or holding company operating internationally. If you do not need to sell directly to the UAE mainland, it is usually the most efficient UAE structure.
Yes — an FZE can benefit from a 0 % UAE corporate tax rate on qualifying income, but only if it meets conditions set by the UAE Federal Tax Authority for a Qualifying Free Zone Person. All free zone companies must still register for corporate tax and file returns, even if the qualifying income is taxed at
Yes. Even if your FZE qualifies for the 0 % rate, you must register with the UAE Federal Tax Authority and submit corporate tax returns, maintain records, and demonstrate that your income is qualifying. Failure to comply can put your tax status at risk.
If your FZE earns income that does not meet the free zone qualifying criteria — for example, income from UAE mainland sources — that portion of profit may be taxed at the standard UAE corporate tax rate. Planning for qualifying vs non-qualifying income is critical.
Popular free zones for FZE companies include DMCC for trading and commodities; JAFZA for logistics and regional trade; IFZA for consultants and small businesses; and RAKEZ for lower-cost structures. Your ideal choice depends on where you will operate, your visa and banking needs, and your long-term strategy.
No. Free zone tax status must be maintained every year through compliance, substance, and correct activity classification. If these conditions are not met, the FZE can lose its preferential tax treatment.
Setting up your FZE incorrectly can lead to rejected bank accounts, loss of 0 % tax benefits, limited visa quotas, and substance compliance issues. These problems often arise because founders choose on price alone without assessing tax, activity classification, and substance requirements. Persona Finance mitigates these risks by structuring your FZE from the start around compliance and growth.
FZE incorporation process
Setting up your Free Zone Establishment with Persona Finance follows a clear, managed process designed to minimise delays and maximise approval success.
Submit your FZE enquiry
Share your business activity, ownership, and visa needs so we can assess the correct setup.
Document collection and compliance review
We gather and review all required documents to ensure they meet free zone and banking standards.
Application and licence preparation
Our team prepares your full FZE registration pack, including the correct activity and licence type.
Submission and authority handling
We submit your application to the Free Zone Authority and manage all communication on your behalf.
FZE approval and registration
Once approved, your Free Zone Establishment is registered and your trade licence is issued.
UAE Residence Permit with an FZE
How the residence visa process works
How the residence visa process works
An FZE allows you to apply for a UAE investor residence visa, giving you the right to live, work, and operate your business in the Emirates. It also enables you to open local bank accounts, lease property, and travel in and out of the UAE as a resident.
For international founders, UAE residency adds an extra layer of financial stability, asset protection, and mobility when structured correctly.
Persona Finance manages the entire visa process alongside your company setup, so everything is aligned from the start.
For international founders, UAE residency adds an extra layer of financial stability, asset protection, and mobility when structured correctly.
Persona Finance manages the entire visa process alongside your company setup, so everything is aligned from the start.
- Document collection and compliance checksWe gather and verify your passport, photos, and required forms to meet UAE immigration and free zone standards.1
- FZE incorporationYour Free Zone Establishment is registered and your trade licence is issued.2
- UAE entry permitWe apply for your entry permit so you can legally enter or remain in the UAE for residency processing.3
- Medical test and biometricsYou complete the required medical examination and Emirates ID biometric registration.4
- Residence visa issuanceYour UAE residence visa is approved and stamped.5
- Corporate bank account preparationWe assist you with bank compliance and documentation so your FZE is ready to operate.6
Monthly Support Package — From Year Two
From your second year onwards, your UAE Free Zone Establishment can continue on our fixed monthly support package from AED 700 per month.
We do not disappear after incorporation. Persona Finance remains your accounting and compliance partner so your FZE stays tax-efficient, bankable, and fully compliant as your business grows.
Your first year of accounting support is included in your FZE setup. From year two, our monthly package gives you everything needed to operate your UAE company with confidence.
We do not disappear after incorporation. Persona Finance remains your accounting and compliance partner so your FZE stays tax-efficient, bankable, and fully compliant as your business grows.
Your first year of accounting support is included in your FZE setup. From year two, our monthly package gives you everything needed to operate your UAE company with confidence.
- Professional cloud accounting softwareFull access to secure, cloud-based accounting tools to track your business in real time.
- Ongoing bookkeeping supportA dedicated bookkeeper records your transactions and answers your day-to-day accounting questions.
- Year-end and corporate tax filingsWe prepare and submit your annual accounts and UAE corporate tax returns on time.
- Employee and employment supportGuidance on hiring staff, employment contracts, and compliance with UAE free zone labour rules.
- Management reporting and cashflow insightOn request, we prepare financial reports to help you monitor performance and plan ahead.
- Monthly strategy call with a certified accountantEach month you can speak directly with one of our accountants about tax planning, business structure, and financial optimisation.
Get a Fee Consultation
Our in-house lawyer specialising in the FZE incorporation will contact you to answer your questions
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