Activity Permissions / Holding Company
Verified permission status across 7 UAE zones and jurisdictions, including additional licence requirements where a sector regulator sits on top of the zone's own registration.
ADGM SPCs and holding companies; common-law; no corporate tax on dividends from qualifying subsidiaries
Gold standard for holding structures. Common-law courts recognised by international institutional investors.
DIFC Prescribed Company structure for holdings; AED 1,500 per year annual fee
Ultra-lean holding vehicle. AED 1,500/year. Common-law framework.
DMCC permits holding company structures
Liquid secondary market for DMCC company shares. Popular exit route for PE-backed structures.
RAKEZ permits holding companies; lowest cost holding option in UAE
Budget holding structure. No audit requirement for dormant pure-holding entities.
IFZA permits holding and investment companies
Cost-effective Dubai-address holding company.
Mainland holding companies can hold UAE real estate and mainland trade licences; free zone holdings cannot
Required if the holding structure needs to own UAE real property directly or hold mainland trade licences.
SHAMS permits holding company structures at low cost
Budget Sharjah holding vehicle. Popular with freelancers scaling into a holding structure.