VERIFIED 2026 · FORMENZO
How much does it cost to set up a UAE company from India?
Setting up a UAE company costs the same for Indian 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 Indian founders start without relocating first. Note: income may still be taxable in your home country depending on your tax residency, so check the India-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 4,888 starting price covers
The AED 4,888 figure is Ajman NuVentures Centre's licence-only package: trade licence, authority fees and Formenzo's setup service, with no visa attached. Founders who want UAE residence alongside the company pay AED 10,800 all-in at the same zone for one visa, and the calculator prices the other eight zones on the identical basis — SRTIP in Sharjah, for instance, is AED 12,500 with one visa.
Who picks this option
Enquiries from India cluster around three profiles: software and IT consultants invoicing overseas clients through a UAE entity, Amazon and Noon sellers who need a local licence to trade on GCC marketplaces, and established trading families adding a re-export arm between Indian ports and the Gulf. The setup guide for Indian founders maps the documents each profile needs.
Two things founders ask
Do I need to fly out to complete the setup? The licence can be issued while you are still in India. Physical presence is only required for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics if you add a residence visa.
Can I keep my Indian business running alongside the UAE company? Yes — the free-zone entity is legally separate. India's FEMA rules on overseas direct investment apply when you remit share capital, so take Indian advice on structuring first.