Documents required - What you'll need to file in the UAE.

Most founders need 5 to 8 documents. Every one of them uploads to the Formenzo portal — no couriering originals, no notarization for the majority of zones, no paperwork printed and re-scanned. The list below is the real 2026 ask, broken down by passport and by zone tier so you can see what applies before you start.

Documents required tool

See your document pack before the portal starts.

Select the route, visa need, shareholder type, activity, and bank need. Formenzo builds the checklist and an AED scope preview without forcing a call first.

Free zone

Visa package

Shareholder

Current status

Activity type

Formenzo document pack

AFZ - licence only

Individual shareholder · Consulting / services · Outside UAE

7Required

4Conditional

Founder identity

Passport copy

Required

Clear colour scan of the bio-data page. Minimum 6-month validity.

Passport-size photo

Required

Recent (within 6 months), white background, used for KYC and visa files.

UAE visa / Emirates ID

If needed

Only if you already hold UAE residence status. Skip if applying from overseas.

UAE entry stamp

If needed

Tourist-entry or visit-visa stamp. Required only when the zone or visa step needs proof you are in the UAE.

Address and KYC

Proof of address

Required

Utility bill or bank statement dated within the last 3 months.

Activity and business model

Business plan

If needed

2-3 page summary of activities + 1-year projection. Optional unless you are in a regulated activity.

Conditional documents

No-objection letter

If needed

Only required if you are currently employed / sponsored in the UAE.

Bank readiness

Personal bank statements

Required

Usually 3 to 6 months, sometimes 12 months for higher-risk profiles.

Source-of-funds evidence

Required

Salary slips, tax returns, business income, sale agreement, or audited accounts.

Business model summary

Required

One page explaining customers, suppliers, expected transactions, and invoice purpose.

Founder CV / LinkedIn profile

Required

Supports the KYC story and activity credibility.

Formenzo FZE · UAE company formation, done right · [email protected] · +971 58 829 3781. Document requirements vary by authority, shareholder profile, activity, passport, and bank review.

By passport

Six common nationalities, six checklists.

Each row shows the typical document set for that passport across the 11 public launch routes. Specialist routes such as DHCC, DAFZA, Masdar City, and RAK ICC can ask for additional context — see the next section.

Indian passport

Standard set; PCC only if you're requesting visa stamping.

7 docs

·Passport copy (all pages, valid 6+ months)
·Recent passport-size photo (white background)
·UAE entry stamp or visit visa copy
·Address proof — utility bill or bank statement (≤3 months)
·Source-of-funds statement (last 6 months)
·PAN card copy
·Brief CV / business background

Pakistani passport

Source-of-funds must be notarized for most zones.

8 docs

·Passport copy (valid 6+ months)
·Passport-size photo
·CNIC copy (front + back)
·Address proof (≤3 months)
·Source-of-funds statement, notarized
·Bank reference letter
·CV with employment history
·Police clearance certificate (PCC)

British passport

The lightest checklist — UK-issued docs are accepted as-is.

6 docs

·Passport copy
·Passport-size photo
·UK address proof — council tax or utility (≤3 months)
·Source-of-funds (bank statements 3 months)
·CV / LinkedIn export
·Existing UK company memo (if applicable)

Russian passport

All non-English docs must be apostilled and translated by a UAE-licensed translator.

9 docs

·Passport copy (international passport)
·Internal passport copy
·Passport-size photo
·Address proof, translated and apostilled
·Source-of-funds, notarized + translated
·Bank reference letter, translated
·CV in English
·PCC (no-criminal-record), apostilled
·Tax residency certificate (if applicable)

Filipino passport

NBI clearance is mandatory across all zones for Filipino founders.

7 docs

·Passport copy
·Passport-size photo
·NBI clearance (≤6 months)
·Address proof (≤3 months)
·Source-of-funds statement
·CV / employment history
·Existing employer NOC (if UAE-resident)

Chinese passport

Translated business reference required; Hukou copy speeds approval.

8 docs

·Passport copy
·Passport-size photo
·Hukou (household register) copy
·Address proof, translated
·Source-of-funds statement, translated
·Bank reference letter
·Business reference, translated by certified UAE translator
·CV in English

By zone tier

Three tiers, three asks.

The public launch routes cluster into three diligence tiers. Pick a lean route if you want to file this week; use specialist review when the activity, structure, or bank narrative needs more evidence before filing.

Lean launch routes

Ajman · SHAMS · SPC · SRTIP · RAKEZ

5docs base

Fastest filing path. Five documents and you're submitted.

·Passport copy
·Passport-size photo
·Address proof (≤3 months)
·Activity selection (from zone's pre-approved list)
·Signed application form

Dubai / address-signal routes

IFZA · Meydan · DAFZA · DHCC

7docs base

Slightly more diligence — these zones lean toward trade and consulting at higher revenue tiers.

·Passport copy
·Passport-size photo
·Address proof (≤3 months)
·Source-of-funds summary
·CV / professional background
·Activity declaration (free-form, 1 paragraph)
·Bank reference letter

Specialist review routes

DHCC · DAFZA · Masdar City · RAK ICC

9docs base

Healthcare, airport/logistics, innovation, or offshore holding files need a clearer business story before filing.

·Passport copy
·Passport-size photo
·Address proof (≤3 months)
·Source-of-funds, notarized
·Bank reference letter from existing primary bank
·Detailed CV or founder background
·Business model summary
·Client, supplier, asset, or product evidence
·Structure note for offshore or regulated activity review

Indicative pricing: lean zones from AED 4,888, premium from AED 12,500, specialist review routes from AED 24,000. Full breakdown on /pricing.

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