What is the difference between a UAE mainland company and a free zone company?
A mainland company is licensed through the Department of Economic Development in the relevant emirate and can trade freely across the UAE mainland without a distributor. A free zone company is licensed through a specific free zone authority, offers full foreign ownership as standard, and generally needs a licensed mainland distributor or a separate mainland branch to sell directly into the UAE mainland market.
Can a free zone company sell directly to customers on the UAE mainland?
Generally not without an extra step. Official guidance describes free zone companies trading freely within their zone and internationally, while mainland access usually requires a licensed mainland distributor or the free zone company opening its own mainland branch or company.
Do I still need a UAE national sponsor for a mainland company?
For most commercial and industrial activities, no. Full foreign ownership has been permitted for mainland companies outside a specific list of strategic-impact activities. Professional license civil companies, common for consultancies, generally still need a Local Service Agent, a UAE national or wholly UAE-owned entity with no equity or management role, paid a fixed annual fee.
Can an offshore UAE company sponsor a residence visa?
Generally not. Offshore companies such as RAK ICC are built for holding assets and international structuring, not for operating inside the UAE, and they do not typically sponsor UAE residence visas or lease commercial office space on their own license.
How accurate is this tool, and when should I talk to Koral Advisory directly?
This tool reflects publicly available regulatory sources, each with a link and the date we last checked it, shown at the end of your result. It is general guidance, not legal advice, and rules vary by emirate, free zone authority, and licensed activity. Where a rule could not be verified with confidence, the tool says so directly rather than guessing, and points you to a conversation instead.
