GCC Markets · current conditions as of 11 October 2026 · fundamentals reviewed 16 October 2026
🇦🇪 Doing business in United Arab Emirates
Regional hub with 100% foreign ownership in free zones.
Long-term risk: Low
Current alert: High
Hormuz effectively closed since 28 Feb 2026, and attacks on shipping intensified in October, including a vessel struck off the UAE coast on 9 Oct. The Habshan–Fujairah pipeline keeps some crude moving, but Jebel Ali re-export trade remains heavily disrupted. No ceasefire in sight.
The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed to normal commercial shipping since 28 Feb 2026: official daily transit counts remain in single digits on most days (vs ~85 pre-war), and much of the remaining traffic sails with transponders off. Attacks on ships became near-daily in early October (12 in the week to 7 Oct, the most since the war began) and the US blockade of Iran continues. Talks have stalled: Washington has not accepted Iran's late-September proposals, and on 4 Oct Iran said the strait will stay closed until its conditions are met. The UAE was among the most frequently targeted states in earlier strike waves; crude partly bypasses Hormuz via the Habshan–Fujairah pipeline, but Jebel Ali throughput and re-export flows remain heavily disrupted.
Conditions change fast. Check current government travel and trade advisories before acting.
What makes up the long-term score
Highlights: 0% corporate tax in free zones · Strong legal framework · Gateway to wider MEA
Key industries
Financial Services & Fintech ↑ Strong growth
DIFC is the regions premier financial hub hosting 5,000+ firms including global banks, asset managers and insurers.
Main investors: UK, US, India, Singapore
Tourism & Hospitality ↑ Strong growth
Dubai welcomed 17M+ international visitors in 2023. Luxury, MICE and medical tourism are priority growth areas.
Main investors: UK, France, US, India
Logistics & Trade ↑ Strong growth
Jebel Ali is the worlds 9th largest port. UAE sits at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe trade routes.
Main investors: China, Germany, Japan, US
Renewable Energy & Clean Tech ↑ Rapid growth
UAE targets 44% clean energy by 2050. Masdar City and DEWA projects are driving massive investment.
Main investors: China, Japan, France, US
Sector priorities
- Financial Services & Fintech: DIFC and ADGM offer world class regulatory frameworks with 0% tax and 100% foreign ownership for financial firms.
- Renewable Energy: UAE Net Zero 2050 strategy is driving billions in solar, hydrogen and clean tech investment opportunities.
- Healthcare & Life Sciences: Ageing expat population and medical tourism ambition driving strong demand for healthcare infrastructure and services.
Talent & work permits
UAE workforce is 89% expatriate. English is the business language. Talent pool is large, diverse and internationally mobile.
- Foreign workers: Employment visa required. Sponsored by employer. Process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.
- Localisation: Emiratisation applies to private sector firms with 50+ employees. Targets increase annually across skilled roles.
- Key consideration: Competition for senior talent is intense. Compensation packages typically include housing, schooling and flights.
Summarised from our dataset and not yet linked to sources. Verify with local counsel before acting.
How to enter: first four steps
UAE offers two primary entry routes: mainland and free zone: each with distinct ownership, tax and operational implications.
- Choose your structure: Free zone for 100% ownership and tax benefits, or Mainland for broader market access
- Select your jurisdiction: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah each offer different free zones suited to different sectors
- Obtain your trade licence: Commercial, professional or industrial licence depending on activity
- Open corporate bank account: Allow 4 to 8 weeks. Requires full KYC documentation and business plan
Indicative cost: 10-person team
Professional-services team (1 senior manager, 5 professionals, 2 admin, 2 support), Grade A office, registration, legal, audit and tax compliance. Model estimate, not a quote.
First year by industry (10 people)
Regulatory watch
- Jan 2026 · New Visa Categories: Golden Visa eligibility expanded to include more professional categories.
- Feb 2026 · Emiratisation Targets Revised: MOHRE announced revised private sector Emiratisation targets for skilled roles.
- Mar 2026 · Corporate Tax Update: UAE Ministry of Finance issued updated guidance on qualifying free zone entity rules.
- Mar 2026 · UAE Corporate Tax Compliance Deadline: Companies with financial year ending December 2024 must file their first corporate tax returns by September 2026. MOHRE urging all businesses to ensure compliance.
- Feb 2026 · DIFC Employment Law Update: DIFC Authority amended Employment Law introducing enhanced parental leave provisions and updated end of service calculation methods effective January 2026.
Compare with GCC Markets peers
Tap a market to see it side by side with United Arab Emirates.
Common questions
Is United Arab Emirates a good market to enter in 2026?
United Arab Emirates has a long-term score of 8.3/10 on EmergingMarketIQ’s index (long-term risk: Low) and scores 5.0/10 now, as of 11 October 2026. Regional hub with 100% foreign ownership in free zones. The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed to normal commercial shipping since 28 Feb 2026: official daily transit counts remain in single digits on most days (vs ~85 pre-war), and much of the remaining traffic sails with transponders off. Attacks on ships became near-daily in early October (12 in the week to 7 Oct, the most since the war began) and the US blockade of Iran continues. Talks have stalled: Washington has not accepted Iran's late-September proposals, and on 4 Oct Iran said the strait will stay closed until its conditions are met. The UAE was among the most frequently targeted states in earlier strike waves; crude partly bypasses Hormuz via the Habshan–Fujairah pipeline, but Jebel Ali throughput and re-export flows remain heavily disrupted.
How much does it cost to set up a 10-person office in United Arab Emirates?
Our cost model estimates about US$1.4M for the first year (≈US$111k per month run-rate plus ≈US$25k one-off setup) for a 10-person professional-services team; depending on industry the range is US$1.1M–US$1.7M. Indicative only.
What are the first steps to set up a company in United Arab Emirates?
Choose your structure: Free zone for 100% ownership and tax benefits, or Mainland for broader market access Then: Select your jurisdiction: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah each offer different free zones suited to different sectors Then: Obtain your trade licence: Commercial, professional or industrial licence depending on activity Then: Open corporate bank account: Allow 4 to 8 weeks. Requires full KYC documentation and business plan
Source: EmergingMarketIQ country dataset. Current conditions and alerts updated 11 October 2026; GDP (World Bank 2025) and FX 24 September 2026; structural scores reviewed 16 October 2026. Rules, rates and conditions change, so verify with local counsel before acting. Not legal, tax or investment advice.