Dubai Mainland
Check licensing authorities, premises and local operating conditions for the proposed activities. Certain sectors require additional approvals.
DUBAI / UAE
Dubai business setup and family wealth structuring
Evereach connects Singapore and Dubai, coordinating mainland or free zone setup, banking and operations alongside applicable DIFC family office, foundation and holding arrangements, with continuing project follow-up in Dubai.
01 / BUSINESS SETUP
Decide how the business will operate before choosing its location
Compare mainland and free zone routes against activities, customer locations, local transactions and operating needs. Review offices, people, visas, banking and ongoing regulatory requirements together.
Free Zone
Compare permitted activities, facilities and licensing conditions in each zone. Mainland operations require review of applicable permits, branches or other authorised routes; free zone registration alone is insufficient.
Setup fees are one part of the decision. Licences, premises, staffing, transaction flows and ongoing requirements need to work together.
JURISDICTION REVIEW
Compare options against activities and facilities
| Option | Discussion focus | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| DIFC | Family wealth, professional and financial ecosystem | Distinguish non-financial setup, family ownership and regulated finance; check eligibility and approvals. |
| DMCC | Trading, commodities and commercial services | Review permitted activities, premises and banking evidence. |
| JAFZA | Port-linked trade, logistics, manufacturing and warehousing | Assess facilities, land or storage requirements, customs and supply chains. |
| IFZA | Commercial and professional services, SMEs | Check available activities, offices, visa arrangements and ongoing requirements. |
| Meydan Free Zone | Services, digital businesses and trading | Review activity combinations, premises, visas and renewal scope. |
| Dubai South | Logistics, aviation, e-commerce and regional operations | Match activity permissions with facilities, storage and regional connections. |
OPERATIONAL LANDING
Follow through from incorporation to operations
Company, licence and premises
Coordinate incorporation documents, licence selection, registered address and applicable office or flexi-desk arrangements. Confirm ownership, beneficial owners and renewals.
People, visas and banking
Coordinate establishment immigration arrangements and residence applications where eligible. Prepare business, source-of-funds and transaction evidence for banking. Visas and accounts are reviewed independently.
Tax and ongoing support
Coordinate Corporate Tax, applicable VAT, bookkeeping and audit matters, renewals and corporate administration. Free zone status does not confer unconditional zero corporate tax; eligibility and income must be assessed separately.
02 / FAMILY WEALTH
Clarify ownership, governance and succession functions
Business operations, family administration and asset ownership may need different arrangements. Evereach helps map members, assets, entities and objectives before coordinating structures and appropriate professional input.
Family Office / Family Arrangements
Organise family business coordination, administration, reporting, external manager communication, next-generation involvement and succession governance. Single Family Office (SFO) remains a familiar client term; the current DIFC framework must be reviewed under the Family Arrangements Regulations.
Holding Company
Review shareholding and asset ownership functions separately from operating entities responsible for sales, employment and business activities. Consider asset locations and cross-border obligations.
SPV / Prescribed Company
Consider specific holding or project purposes, with separate checks on eligibility, permitted purpose and activity restrictions. These forms are not interchangeable with an ordinary operating company.
Family and governance objectivesFoundation / Holding, where appropriateOperating entities · Investment holdings · Eligible SPVs
This illustrates functions for discussion, not a standard recommended structure. Banks, investment managers, lawyers, tax and fiduciary professionals participate as needed. Regulated investment management, fund management and investment advice are provided by appropriately authorised institutions.
DIFC FOUNDATION
Plan long-term ownership, succession and governance together
A DIFC Foundation may be considered for family business ownership, asset arrangements, succession, governance and appropriate philanthropic purposes. Planning needs to clarify founder and governance roles, beneficiary arrangements, decision-making and administration.
Foundations, trusts and ordinary holding companies have different legal and governance features. A foundation should not be assumed to conduct day-to-day operating business. Assess the structure against asset locations, tax residence, applicable law and cross-border reporting obligations.
A foundation does not automatically deliver tax benefits, anonymous ownership or absolute asset protection. Appropriate professionals must confirm legal and tax arrangements.
FAMILY GOVERNANCE & SUCCESSION
Connect family decisions with continuing execution
Family governance
Clarify participation, decision rights, reporting, dispute processes and next-generation involvement. Define responsibilities between the family, boards and external advisers.
Succession and administration
Coordinate succession and legacy planning, relationships between operating and holding entities, and continuing administration and reporting. Professionals assess trust arrangements where appropriate.
SINGAPORE ↔ DUBAI
Two locations can serve different purposes
For some cross-border businesses and families, Singapore can support Asian and ASEAN operations, while Dubai connects Middle Eastern, African and South Asian markets and the local family wealth ecosystem. Design the combination around business, family and asset circumstances.
Singapore
Asian management · ASEAN expansion
Headquarters · Trading and holding functions
Dubai
Middle East operations · UAE presence
Family Office · Foundation / Holding
Singapore remains Evereach’s core service hub. We handle corporate matters, project coordination and local follow-up in Dubai, involving banks and professional institutions as required. Explore China → Singapore / ODI · Explore Singapore Family Office
FAQ
Common questions
How should we choose mainland or a free zone?
Start with activities, customers, local operations and facilities, then compare licensing, premises, people, banking and ongoing obligations. There is no universal best choice.
How do DIFC, DMCC, JAFZA, IFZA, Meydan and Dubai South differ?
Compare activity scope, facilities, regional connections and structuring purposes. Check each zone’s current conditions individually rather than ranking by registration price.
Does a free zone mean zero corporate tax?
No. Free zone tax treatment depends on eligibility, income and continuing conditions. Corporate Tax and VAT also need separate assessment.
Can DIFC host a family office, and does the old SFO framework still apply?
DIFC provides family arrangements. Its 2023 Family Arrangements Regulations replaced the earlier SFO framework. Eligibility, activities and professional service requirements must be checked under current rules.
How do Family Office, Foundation and Holding / SPV differ?
A family office focuses on family affairs; a foundation concerns ownership, governance and succession; a holding company or SPV serves shareholding or specific-purpose ownership. They are not interchangeable labels.
Is a foundation an ordinary operating company?
Its purpose and applicable rules must be assessed; it should not be assumed to conduct ordinary operations. Professional advice is needed on enterprise or asset ownership arrangements.
Can Singapore and Dubai structures be planned together?
Yes, around actual business, family, assets and governance needs. Entity functions, substance and cross-border obligations should be clear in each location.
Can you assist with visas and bank accounts?
We can prepare and follow up within scope. Immigration and banks review applications independently; company or family office setup does not automatically grant residence or an account.
Does Evereach provide investment management, legal or tax opinions?
Evereach handles corporate matters and project and institutional coordination. Regulated investment, fund management, investment advice and legal or tax opinions are provided by appropriately authorised or qualified professionals.
How does local follow-up work?
Within the agreed scope, we follow setup, documents, applications and operational matters in Dubai and coordinate appropriate execution and professional institutions. Agreements specify responsibilities, fees and deliverables.
START A CONVERSATION
Discuss your project
Describe your activities, customer regions, office and staffing needs, or family structuring and governance objectives. Full asset records, passports and bank documents are not needed for the first enquiry.
Regulated financial services and legal or formal tax advice are provided by appropriately authorised or qualified institutions. Evereach handles corporate matters, project coordination and professional liaison.
General service information. Scope, fees, documents and timing are confirmed per project. Approval, banking and visa decisions rest with the relevant authorities or banks. Official references: DIFC · Invest in Dubai · UAE Corporate Tax