Setting up a company in the UAE is easy.
Setting it up correctly for software, SaaS, and technology businesses is where most founders fail.
Every month, we see founders who:
This guide exists to prevent that.
It is not a promotional brochure.
It is a decision framework — designed to help founders make irreversible choices correctly the first time.
This guide is a definitive, founder-grade guide to setting up, operating, and scaling a software or technology company in the UAE — without hidden risks. It is a step-by-step guide to understand license types, free zone vs mainland, banking, visas, compliance, realistic timelines, hidden costs, and how to build a strong operational foundation for scale.
Who This Guide Is For
This guide is written for:
If you are looking beyond just a license — and want to operate, hire, bank, and scale compliantly — this guide is for you.
Unlike generic “company setup” articles, this guide focuses on software-specific realities:
The UAE continues to be one of the world’s most attractive destinations for technology-led businesses due to:
However, while setting up in the UAE is relatively straightforward, doing it right requires clarity, planning, and the right expectations.
Common mistakes we see every week:
Result: re-licensing, restructuring, frozen accounts, lost months.
This guide is designed to de-risk every decision upfront.
The winners are not the fastest movers — they are the best-prepared entrepreneurs.
License Issued ≠ Business Operational
One of the most common misconceptions founders have been assuming that once the trade license is issued, the company is fully operational.
In reality, a UAE business becomes truly active only when:
This distinction is critical — and often overlooked in marketing-heavy advertisements.
Myth: “Company in 24 hours”
Reality: License only — not banking, visas, or compliance
Myth: “Cheapest setup is guaranteed & best”
Reality: Cheap setup costs are recovered later via hidden or “mandatory” costly add-ons or often force costly restructuring later
Myth: “Free Zone choice doesn’t matter”
Reality: Wrong Free Zone can block fundraising, banking, or growth
What These Claims Usually Mean
A fast license alone does not allow you to hire, invoice, or operate legally.
While timelines vary by profile and jurisdiction, founders should expect:
The key takeaway:
Speed is possible — but predictability and compliance matter more.
Free Zone vs Mainland — What’s the Difference?
Free Zone Companies
Mainland Companies
Key Regulators & Authorities
Software-specific considerations:
For founders planning hyperscaler GTM or enterprise partnerships, see Apexin – Hyperscaler GTM Advisory.
Licensing for Software Companies (What Most Guides Miss)
UAE licenses are activity-driven, not industry-driven.
For software firms, the wrong activity selection can:
Typical software-aligned activities:
Product vs Service Nuances
Choosing the wrong licence type can lead to:
Key insight:
Always license for future revenue, not just today’s product.
👉 This is why SLU’s AI-assisted license and Free Zone selection tool (not guesswork) is the best assistant of yours to avoid any biases & make right choices yourself & further assisted by SLU consultants when you are ready.
What UAE Banks Actually Look For
Banks perform enhanced due diligence, especially for tech firms. Expect scrutiny on:
Best Practices for Smooth Banking
If your business involves cross-border revenue or marketplaces, explore Apexin’s Marketplace & Co-Sell Strategy Blueprint™.
Section 3: Founder visas, employee visas & long-term residency
Founder & employee residency visas
Most software companies need:
Key considerations:
Golden Visa — strategic, not optional anymore
For many founders, the UAE Golden Visa is no longer a “nice to have”.
It provides:
Golden Visa eligibility increasingly applies to:
Golden Visa Advisory (AISP) — eligibility assessment & end-to-end facilitation
Important Founder Nuance: Physical Presence
After entry permit issuance, founders must usually travel to the UAE for:
Delays or missed steps can impact visa timelines and, in rare cases, cause rejection.
Planning travel at the right stage avoids disruption.
Since Corporate Tax introduction, UAE is no longer “set and forget”. Once operational, companies must register or maintain:
Mistakes to avoid:
Compliance is not a one-time task — it is an ongoing responsibility.
Waiting until year-end → penalties + remediation costs.
Modern UAE setups require:
This is where SLU differentiates:
The UAE setup market is highly competitive and saturated. Many low-cost agents attract founders with headline pricing but later add:
Founders often end up paying more for lower-quality service.
What Transparent Setup Looks Like
This transparency protects your capital, time, and future residency.
Setting up in the UAE is not just an administrative task. It affects:
Choosing the right setup approach is a strategic decision, not a transactional or paperwork one.
✔ Licence issuance is only the beginning
✔ Banking and visas define true readiness
✔ Hidden costs are common — transparency matters
✔ Physical presence is often required
✔ A strong foundation enables confident scale
The UAE rewards founders who:
SLU empowers entrepreneurs & software companies setting up once designed by default for growth & scale without surprises.
Get live setup support from SLU
Start compliant. Operate confidently. Scale without surprises.
👉 Explore Business Setup with SLU
👉 Assess Golden Visa eligibility with SLU
👉 Design hyperscaler-ready growth with Apexin
There’s no one-size-fits-all. Options vary by business activity, scale ambitions, delivery model, and compliance needs. SLU analyzes your goals and recommends the most strategic setup — mainland, free zone, or hybrid — that supports your GTM and revenue strategy.
Costs vary widely by license type, jurisdiction, visas, and required services. SLU is extremely transparent when it comes to pricing charges for our services only keeping government fees separate, which can be paid directly by you or by us on your behalf and will share the invoices/receipts with you. We provide access to you to our proprietary tool so that you decide your package without any bias and based on real data.
Typically 2–4 weeks if documentation and licensing align to the business intent. SLU accelerates setup by preparing business plans, compliance checks, and banking prerequisites concurrently.
For most professional and tech activities, 100% foreign ownership is permitted, especially in free zones. SLU guides you through structuring ownership and compliance to support your commercial model.
Yes, many aspects can be done remotely, but some parts (e.g., bank meetings, visa stamping) may require physical presence. SLU prepares documentation and representation to simplify these steps.
That depends on your profile and strategy. SLU advises on sequencing to optimize tax, presence, and compliance outcomes, often coordinating Golden Visa readiness with entity setup.
SLU offers end-to-end support: company formation, compliance, banking, licensing, HR / PRO services, and operational planning — all aligned to your readiness strategy.
