About Pistos Group
Pistos Group L.L.C-FZ advises on company formation, residency and corporate compliance across the United Arab Emirates.
What we are for
Most people arriving in the UAE are sold a licence before anyone has asked what they intend to do with it. The licence is the easy part. Choosing the jurisdiction, the activity codes, the visa structure and the compliance obligations that follow is the part that determines whether the company works.
We sit on the client's side of that decision. Sometimes that means recommending a cheaper free zone than the one you asked about. Sometimes it means telling you the activity you want is mainland-only and the quote you have in your hand is for something that will not work.
What we cover
- Dubai and Abu Dhabi mainland incorporation
- Free zone incorporation across all seven emirates, excluding DIFC and ADGM
- Offshore structures through RAK International Corporate Centre
- RAK ICC Foundations for asset protection, family wealth and succession
- Residence visas, renewals, PRO and immigration filings
- Golden visa on the property route
- Liquidation, trademark, ISO, attestation and audit
- Marketing and AI implementation for companies in the region
Where we do not go
We do not work in DIFC or ADGM. Both are common-law financial centres with their own regulators, their own court systems and their own specialist advisers. Pretending otherwise would not serve you, so if that is genuinely where you belong we will say so and point you to someone who does it properly.
Speak to someone who does this every day
Send us your details and we will call you back with a straight answer and a written quote. No obligation, no drip campaign.
Questions We Get Asked
What is the actual difference between mainland and a free zone?
A mainland licence lets you trade anywhere in the UAE and bid for government work. A free zone gives you customs relief and a cheaper, faster setup, but selling onshore needs a distributor, a mainland branch or a dual licence. The assessment works out which applies to you.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a UAE company?
Yes. Free zone companies have always allowed it, and over a thousand mainland activities now do too. A short list of strategic-impact activities still requires Emirati participation, and we check yours against the current list rather than last year's.
How long does it take to set a company up?
Roughly three to seven working days in a free zone and five to ten on mainland, assuming documents are in order and no external regulator is involved. Visas add a further one to two weeks on top.
What will it cost?
It depends on the activity, the facility and how many visas you need, which is why we quote rather than publish a price. Government fees move, so we confirm them on the day we send the figure.
Do I need to be in the UAE to set up?
Not for most free zone incorporations — we can run the whole licensing process without the shareholder travelling. You do need to be here for the medical and biometrics when your residence visa is issued.
Which activities cannot go in a free zone at all?
Real estate brokerage, construction and contracting, retail premises, clinics and pharmacies, recruitment and manpower supply, and travel agencies. All of those are mainland-only, whatever anyone has quoted you.
Not Covered Above? Ask Us.
Send the question as you would ask it on the phone. One of the team answers it properly — not a template, and not a sales call dressed up as an answer.