Setting up a free zone company in the UAE is refreshingly light on paperwork — often lighter than founders expect. But having the right documents ready upfront is the difference between a license issued in days and an application that stalls. Here’s the full 2026 checklist, for both individual and corporate shareholders.
For individual shareholders
If you’re setting up as a person (not a company), most free zones ask for:
- Passport copy of each shareholder and the manager/director.
- Passport-size photo (white background).
- Visa page / entry stamp or current UAE visa, if applicable.
- Completed application form with your chosen activities and company name options.
- Proof of address (home country) — some zones request a recent utility bill.
That’s often the entire list for a straightforward consultancy or trading setup.
For corporate shareholders (a company owning the new company)
If a company is the shareholder, add:
- Certificate of incorporation of the parent company.
- Memorandum & Articles of Association of the parent.
- Board resolution approving the new UAE company and appointing a manager.
- Power of attorney for the authorised signatory.
These corporate documents usually need attestation and legal translation — plan extra time for it. The same applies when you set up a branch of a foreign company.
What speeds approval
- Have 2–3 company-name options ready in case your first choice is taken.
- Confirm your activities before applying — changing them later costs a fee.
- Keep names consistent across every document; mismatches trigger queries.
- Get attestation started early for corporate documents — it’s the most common delay.
Don’t forget the next step
Your setup documents overlap heavily with what your bank will want, so keep them organised — see documents to open a bank account. And for the full journey, follow our free zone company setup guide. Once your file is complete, the license itself is usually fast — see how long it takes to get a license.
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need to set up a free zone company?
For individuals: passport copies, a photo, a completed application, and proof of address. Corporate shareholders also need incorporation documents, MOA/AOA, a board resolution, and a power of attorney.
Do free zone setup documents need attestation?
Individual documents usually don’t, but corporate shareholder documents typically require attestation and legal translation.
How many documents does it really take?
For a straightforward individual setup, often just a passport, photo, and application form — one of the lightest company formations anywhere.
Get your document checklist for your exact setup
Requirements vary slightly by free zone and shareholder type. Chat with us on WhatsApp and we’ll send you the precise list for your case.
