Arakan

For companies

ComplyYour compliance managerGovernGovernance and board complianceRosterWorkforce compliance

For firms serving clients

OnboardClient onboarding (KYC/CDD)ShieldClients' regulatory complianceLedgerClients' FTA complianceBecome an Arakan adviserGet clients through Arakan

For setting up

ScoutPlanning your UAE setupAtlasUAE setup reference

For restructuring or closing

FlipMake a business investibleDissolveClose a UAE company safely

Screening, rules and records

VerifySanctions and PEP screeningLexaraUAE rulebook libraryVaultStatutory records storageScopeWhat applies to you
Free guidesFree zonesBusiness activitiesUAE laws and rulebooksRegulatory updates
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Watch

Explainer videos and demosThe rules as steps, and Arakan at workLexara AcademyDFSA and VARA masterclasses

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Tax and compliance glossaryBriefingsCompliance scenariosLexara WeeklyThe week in UAE regulation

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ScoutBusiness setup
Costs and visasPackages, visas and renewal by zoneRules and taxAuthority, QFZP and audit rulesBy emiratePrice indexZones ranked by costCost calculatorFree zone authoritiesBest for startupsBest for freelancersSetup guide
Licences by activityApprovals, fees and setup stepsActivity look-upISIC activities and where they're allowedPermissions by zoneIncorporation documentsBusiness plan review
Mainland vs free zoneCompare free zonesDIFC vs ADGMCrypto (VASP) licenceSetup toolsSample setup reportAfter you incorporate
Talk to an adviserGet your AI advisory

In Scout · Business setup

Free zones
Costs and visasRules and taxBy emiratePrice indexCost calculatorFree zone authoritiesBest for startupsBest for freelancersSetup guide
Mainland
Licences by activityActivity look-upPermissions by zoneIncorporation documentsBusiness plan review
Compare and plan
Mainland vs free zoneCompare free zonesDIFC vs ADGMCrypto (VASP) licenceSetup toolsSample setup reportAfter you incorporate
Talk to an adviser
Apps

For companies

ComplyGovernRoster

For firms serving clients

OnboardShieldLedgerBecome an Arakan adviser

For setting up

ScoutAtlas

For restructuring or closing

FlipDissolve

Screening, rules and records

VerifyLexaraVaultScope

Free guides

Free zonesBusiness activitiesUAE laws and rulebooksRegulatory updates
Find the right appAll apps →
Learn

Watch

Explainer videos and demosLexara Academy

Read

Tax and compliance glossaryBriefingsCompliance scenariosLexara Weekly

Use Arakan

In your AI assistantHelp centre
All resources →
Pricing
Start freeSign in

Free zone tools

By emirate Costs and visas Price index Cost calculator Free zone comparison Mainland vs free zone DIFC vs ADGM Best for startups Best for freelancers Crypto / VASP licence Free zone authorities Setup guide

Related

Business activities Qualifying Free Zone Person UAE Corporate Tax law Get a setup recommendation
Arakan

UAE compliance, from company setup to filing — for UAE companies and the firms that serve them. 14 apps on one company record.

Platform

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  • Explainers and demos
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Resources

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Free tools & guides

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  • Business activity look-up
  • Laws and rulebooks
  • Regulators
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  • Arakan Lexara Weekly

Legal

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14 apps

Comply

Your compliance manager

Govern

Governance and board compliance

Roster

Workforce compliance

Onboard

Client onboarding (KYC/CDD)

Shield

Clients' regulatory compliance

Ledger

Clients' FTA compliance

Scout

Planning your UAE setup

Atlas

UAE setup reference

Flip

Make a business investible

Dissolve

Close a UAE company safely

Verify

Sanctions and PEP screening

Lexara

UAE rulebook library

Vault

Statutory records storage

Scope

What applies to you

Business setup by activity

All 2,100+ activities
Trading & ServicesManufacturingReal Estate & Business ServicesPersonal & Social ServicesTransport, Storage & LogisticsConstruction & ContractingFinancial ServicesVirtual AssetsHealth & Social WorkEducationAgriculture & FishingProfessional & Technical ServicesAccommodation & Food ServicesMining & QuarryingUtilities & Energy
Free zone setup costsFree zone price indexSetup cost calculatorMainland vs free zoneWhich zones permit your activity

UAE free zones by emirate

View all
Dubai
DMCCDIFCJAFZADAFZADSODWCDICDubai Media CityDHCCIFZAMeydanDSCDPCDKPDOCDSPD3DIACDCCDubai Maritime CityDWTCGDP
Abu Dhabi
ADGMKEZADMCFZtwofour54ADAFZICADAAIAFZ
Sharjah
SPCSHAMSHFZASAIFSRTIPSHCC
RAK
RAKEZRAK DAO
Ajman
ACMFZAFZAMC
Fujairah
FOIZFCCFFZ
UAQ
UAQIZUAQ FTZ

© 2026 Arakan. DIFC, Dubai, UAE.

Arakan-managed document storage: AWS me-central-1 (UAE).

Free zone risk matrix.

The definitive 2026 index of UAE jurisdictions — mapping Article 18 substance requirements and audit vulnerability.

Audit Cycle

2026.Q1

Sources

Checked against the authorities

Interactive Schematic

Jurisdictional Element Map

0% Tax Eligible Node

Dubai

Abu Dhabi

Sharjah

RAK

Fujairah

Ajman

UAQ

Designated Zones (DZ)

In 2026, being in a Designated Zone is the primary requirement for VAT-free goods movement. However, for Corporate Tax, DZ status is just one factor.

The 5% De Minimis Trap

The 5% De Minimis rule allows a tiny threshold of non-qualifying revenue before your entire entity is taxed at 9%.

2026 Audit Forecast

The FTA is increasingly using desk audits. Jurisdictions with a low forensic ease score are being targeted for physical substance verification.