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UAE Free Zone (Dubai Internet City) · via Shuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC)·🇺🇦Founder profile

Incorporating a Dubai Internet City Free Zone LLC for Ukrainian IT Contractors

VerifiedJul 2026
EligibilityConditional
Setup timeline21–45days
Year-1 total$7,500

Ukrainian IT contractors can establish a Free Zone LLC in Dubai Internet City to access the UAE's specialized tech-focused regulatory environment. This structure allows for 100% foreign ownership and potential access to the 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income.

Founders must navigate both UAE economic substance regulations and Ukrainian tax residency rules, including Diia City considerations, to ensure compliance and avoid unintended tax liabilities.

§ 01Cost of ownership

Model the full outlay, not just the setup fee

Renewal costs sneak up on non-resident founders. Compare year-1 filing against a 3-year total to see the real bill.
Currency · USD (live FX)
2-year cost of ownership
$12,000
≈ $500.00/month amortized·USD @ live FX
Time horizon
Line items
Amount
  • SetupShuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC) setup
    $7,500
  • AnnualYear 2 renewal
    $4,500
Total$12,000
§ 02Tax residency · Ukrainian IT Contractors

What the tax authority sees

US federal / local status

UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 imposes a 9% Corporate Tax on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000, with specific exemptions for Qualifying Free Zone Persons under Cabinet Decision No. 55 of 2023.

Home-country rule

Diia City tax regime; war-time residency displacement rules

Editorial verdict

Leverage the Dubai Internet City ecosystem to qualify for the 0% CIT rate on Qualifying Income, provided you maintain adequate economic substance within the UAE.

Key compliance risks
  • 01Failure to meet Qualifying Income criteria triggers 9% tax
  • 02Strict economic substance requirements for Free Zone incentives
  • 03Potential double taxation if Ukrainian residency is not properly managed
  • 04Mandatory annual audit requirement for Free Zone entities
§ 03Setup timeline

From filing to funded bank account

Setup timeline
21–45days total, 3 phases
Milestone check
Filing · Tax ID · Banking
d0
d11
d23
d34
d45
01FilingShuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC) submits formation docs
d0–d16
02Tax ID / EINLocal tax authority registration
d14–d34
03BankingBusiness account approved & funded
d27–d45
§ 04Head-to-head

UAE Free Zone (Dubai Internet City) vs US LLC (Wyoming)

Full comparison →
UAE Free Zone (Dubai Internet City)
Free Zone LLC
US LLC (Wyoming)
LLC
Entity
Free Zone LLC
LLC
Setup cost
$1,686
$102.00
Annual
$1,686
$60.00
Local director
Remote OK
Remote OK
Physical presence
Remote OK
Remote OK
Tax regime
9% CT above AED 375k; ICT and tech-focused; TECOM Group
0% state tax; federal only on US-source income
§ 05Questions founders actually ask

FAQ

Qualifying Free Zone Persons may benefit from a 0% Corporate Tax rate on Qualifying Income. You must conduct your core income-generating activities within the Free Zone and satisfy specific substance requirements as defined by UAE tax legislation.
More profiles for UAE Free Zone (Dubai Internet City)
Ukrainian IT Contractors — other jurisdictions
Next step

Start filing with Shuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC)

Formation typically completes in 2–3 weeks. Use the promo below, then click through to begin the checklist directly on the platform.

Claim on Shuraa Business Setup (UAE BSC)