VERIFIED 2026 · FORMENZO
How much does it cost to set up a UAE company from China?
Setting up a UAE company costs the same for Chinese founders as for anyone else: from AED 4,888 all-in for a free-zone licence, or AED 10,800 all-in with one UAE residence visa (Ajman NuVentures, the cheapest). You get 100% foreign ownership — no local partner or sponsor — 0% personal income tax in the UAE, and the licence issues in 3-8 working days. The process is remote-friendly, so most Chinese founders start without relocating first. Note: income may still be taxable in your home country depending on your tax residency, so check the China-specific rules.
Formenzo publishes real, all-in 2026 figures, confirmed in writing, with no sales call. See the full Cost Index or the open price dataset (CC-BY).
Build your exact price →By the Formenzo Research Team · compare all 9 zones
What the AED 10,800 entry point gets a Chinese founder
It is the all-in total at Ajman NuVentures for a licence plus one residence visa — the configuration most sourcing and trading founders need, since the visa unlocks an Emirates ID and smoother bank onboarding. Trading-focused alternatives sit close by on price: RAKEZ, long popular with goods traders, is AED 14,000 all-in with one visa, and SPC Free Zone in Sharjah is AED 13,165.
Who picks this option
Typical profiles: cross-border e-commerce sellers routing Middle East and Africa orders through the UAE, sourcing agents who need a Gulf entity that buyers can pay without mainland-China banking friction, and manufacturers establishing a regional sales office ahead of distributor deals.
Two things founders ask
Can the company invoice in currencies other than AED? Yes — free-zone companies routinely invoice in USD and other major currencies, and UAE business accounts are commonly run in AED and USD side by side.
What does a three-person team cost? At Ajman NuVentures the three-visa package is AED 20,700 all-in; at RAKEZ the same headcount comes to AED 22,000.