| Jurisdiction |
Company Type |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Costs |
| Abu Dhabi |
Limited Liability |
Useful when bidding for Abu Dhabi-based tenders |
Needs 51% UAE citizen shareholder |
US$40,000 to 50,000 |
| Bahrain |
Offshore (Exempt) |
Can be 100% foreign owned |
Cannot conduct business in Bahrain |
US$40,000 to 50,000 |
| Bahrain |
Limited liability |
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| Dubai |
Offshore Company |
No legal requirement to rent a physical office and employ staff |
Not permitted to trade in Dubai |
US$15,000 |
| Dubai |
Limited Liability |
Recognised tax-exempt jurisdiction for doing business in Dubai, UAE and internationally |
Expensive to set up
Requires 51% shareholding by UAE citizens |
US$50,000 – 60,000 |
| Kuwait |
Limited Liability |
Excellent entity to use when bidding for Kuwait government tenders |
High minimum capital requirement of US$26,000 |
US$40,000 – 50,000 |
| Oman |
Limited Liability |
100% foreign ownership permitted in certain strategic sectors |
To qualify for 100% foreign ownership, minimum paid up capital must be US$1.3 million |
US$40,000 – 50,000 |
| Qatar |
Limited Liability |
Tax exempt if properly structured |
Minimum capital requirement is US$55,000
Requires 51% shareholding by Qatari citizens |
US$40,000 – 50,000 |
| Ras Al Khaimah |
Free Zone Company |
Cheaper to set up than equivalents in Dubai |
Located a long way from main UAE population and business centres |
US$40,000 – 50,000 |
| Saudi Arabia |
Limited Liability |
Some government tenders require Saudi companies to bid |
Slow incorporation procedures
High minimum capital requirement of US$133,000 |
US$40,000 – 50,000 |
| Sharjah Company Formation |
Airport Free Zone Company |
Located in airport so ideal for cargo/logistics Firms.
Tax-exempt operations |
High business license fees |
US$40,000 – 50,000 |
