Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment
Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment
Business Setup in Dubai for Australian Entrepreneurs
Open a new company or move an existing Australian business, with the right structure, licence and visas handled end to end.
Free, no-obligation consultation on structure and licence type.
Australian entrepreneurs can set up a company in Dubai with 100% foreign ownership in either a free zone or, for most activities, on the mainland, with licence formation typically costing roughly AED 12,000 to 25,000. You can register a brand-new UAE entity or move an existing Australian business across by setting up a branch or a new company alongside it, and most licence packages include a residence visa allocation so you can sponsor your own UAE residency once licensed. Australian tax residency is a separate question from where your company is registered, and depends on the ATO's residency tests, so this should be confirmed with a qualified Australian tax adviser.
Why It Matters
Dubai offers 100% foreign ownership, 0% personal income tax, and a business-friendly regulatory environment that appeals to Australian founders looking to expand internationally or relocate their operations entirely. Whether you're opening a brand-new company or moving an existing Australian business across, getting your structure, licence and Australian-side obligations right from the start avoids costly rework later.
Choosing Your Structure
Suited to businesses trading internationally, online, or within other UAE free zones. Lower entry cost, 100% ownership, and a fast setup timeline that appeals to entrepreneurs relocating from Australia.
Suited to businesses trading directly with the wider UAE market, government entities, or needing a physical retail presence, with 100% foreign ownership now available for most activities.
Register a brand-new UAE company, or set up a branch of your existing Australian business to trade under the same name.
Most licence packages include an investor or partner visa allocation to sponsor your own UAE residency.
No personal income tax on UAE-sourced earnings, alongside a competitive UAE corporate tax regime.
Moving an Existing Business
Choose between a new standalone UAE company or a branch of your existing Australian entity.
Confirm whether to keep your Australian company active, make it dormant, or deregister it with ASIC.
Confirm your position under the ATO's residency tests and any capital gains implications with a qualified adviser.
Plan how existing client contracts, IP and assets move across to the new UAE entity.
Getting Started
Decide between free zone or mainland, and a new company versus a branch.
Submit your preferred company name for approval.
Confirm the licensed activity or activities that match your business.
File your trade licence application with passport copies and supporting documents.
Confirm your flexi-desk, office or warehouse package for licence issuance.
Use your licence to sponsor your own UAE residence visa.
Set up UAE banking once your licence and visa are issued.
Begin operating once all approvals are in place.
Budgeting
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Typical licence formation range | AED 12,000-25,000* |
| Company structures | Free zone (FZE/FZCO) or Mainland LLC, or a branch of your Australian company |
| Ownership | 100% foreign ownership available for the large majority of activities |
| Personal income tax | 0% on UAE-sourced income |
| Residency visa | Usually included in the licence package, subject to activity and jurisdiction |
*Indicative only. This range is sheet-sourced from this site's own published relocation guide pricing (approximately AED 12,000-15,000 base formation), widened to account for mainland and multi-visa packages. Australian tax residency and any Australian-side costs (such as ASIC deregistration or tax advisory fees) are separate and not included in this range. Confirm current pricing directly with our team, and consult a qualified Australian tax adviser on your personal tax position, before budgeting a total.
Our Story
Smart Zones® UAE has helped more than 45,000 clients worldwide set up, relocate and protect their interests across the UAE, backed by 13+ years of experience in company formation, residency, banking and family trust formation.
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The trust formation process was seamless from start to finish. Highly recommend Smart Zones UAE.
Professional, transparent, and fast. Exactly what I needed for my family's estate planning.
Clear guidance throughout and no hidden costs. Would use them again.
Responsive team and a genuinely smooth setup process from our first call to licence in hand.
Handled everything remotely for us with zero surprises on cost. Would use them again without hesitation.
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Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment