Setup Your Business in Dubai with Proven Expertise

Dubai business setup costs start from AED 4,888 for a Free Zone license without a visa. Free Zone packages that include one investor visa begin at AED 11,600. A Dubai mainland licence starts from AED 18,200, or AED 26,900 with one residence visa (AED 24,400 on the November offer), while Offshore company formation starts from AED 18,000. These are our November 2026 prices, including VAT, based on more than 900+ completed registrations. The amount covers government fees, license costs, and our service charges with no hidden costs.

The final price depends on your chosen jurisdiction, number of visas required, and selected business activities.

Free Zones give you 100% foreign ownership, faster setup (3–7 days), lower costs (from AED 11,600), and tax benefits, but restrict direct trading with UAE local consumers. Mainland lets you trade anywhere in the UAE, bid on government contracts, and grow its visa quota with its office space, at about one visa per 9 square metres, but costs more (from AED 18,200, or AED 26,900 with one visa) and takes 7 to 12 working days. About 70% of our clients choose Free Zone for international or digital businesses; the other 30% choose Mainland for retail, restaurants, and local service businesses.

Most Free Zone setups complete in 3–7 working days; Mainland takes 5–10 working days. Some qualifying Free Zone applications get 24-hour approval. Adding a residence visa requires an additional 7–14 days for Emirates ID and medical testing (you must be physically in UAE for this). Total end-to-end: 3–10 days for license only, or 2–4 weeks including visa. These timelines are based on our 900+ completed registrations across multiple UAE authorities.

Yes. All UAE Free Zones allow 100% foreign ownership with no local partner requirement. Mainland companies also permit 100% foreign ownership for most business activities under the Commercial Companies Law amendments effective since June 2021. Only a short list of strategic activities under Cabinet Resolution No. 55 of 2021 (banking, insurance, telecoms, defence, and oil and gas) still need Emirati participation. For e-commerce, consulting, trading, technology, and most service businesses, you can own your company entirely

Three main categories: Commercial (trading, import/export, retail), Professional (consultancy, services, creative work), and Industrial (manufacturing, production). Your business activities determine the license type. Most Free Zones let you list 3+ activities under one license. We classify your activities based on what you actually do to ensure proper coverage and avoid banking complications later.

It depends on your setup. Free Zones offer flexi-desks (included in the package), virtual offices, or dedicated space (chargeable). Most visa applications require at least a flexi-desk. Mainland companies need a physical office with an Ejari-registered tenancy contract, though co-working spaces work for service businesses with fewer than 3–4 visas. From our experience, most clients start with a flexi-desk and upgrade later as they grow.

Three key advantages: direct trading with UAE customers and government entities (no restrictions), a visa quota that grows with your office space (about one visa per 9 square metres), and physical operations anywhere across all seven Emirates. Mainland is essential if you’re opening a retail store, restaurant, construction company, or any business serving local UAE customers. The trade-off: higher cost (from AED 18,200, or AED 26,900 with one visa, vs AED 11,600 for a Free Zone with one visa) and a longer setup (7 to 12 working days vs 3 to 7).

Yes, 100%. We handle all documentation, approvals, and license issuance digitally. You only need to visit UAE if applying for a residence visa (for Emirates ID registration, medical tests, and biometric data). About 30% of our clients register remotely and visit Dubai later for visa processing. License-only setups can be completed entirely online from anywhere in the world. Although, if your Dubai Mainland company needs extra approval then you need to be in Dubai during your business initial approval stage to avoid any rejection.

Yes. Your trade license and company registration are completely independent of visa status. A residence visa is optional and can be added anytime. However, UAE residence makes banking easier — banks require fewer documents and approve accounts faster for residents. Our license-only package starts at AED 4,888; adding one visa brings it to AED 11,600.

None. We provide an itemized cost breakdown before you commit, listing every government fee, license cost, visa charge, and our service fee as separate line items.

Yes. With a valid UAE investor visa, you can sponsor your spouse, children, and parents. Requirements: AED 3,000 refundable deposit per family member, proof of accommodation, and minimum salary (typically AED 4,000–5,000/month for spouse, AED 5,000–6,000 for spouse and children). Processing takes 1–2 weeks after you have your own residence visa.

No — you must submit renewal applications before expiry (typically 30 days before). Your license and visa renew together. Annual renewal costs are about 80–90% of first-year setup because you skip initial approval fees. Example: if first year cost AED 11,600, expect renewals around AED 9,900. We send reminders to all existing clients and handle the renewal paperwork

Yes — every company registered in the UAE must register for corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority, regardless of whether it owes anything. The rate is 9% on net profits above AED 375,000. Below that threshold, it's 0%. Free Zone companies can also qualify for 0% on certain types of income, but only if they meet strict qualifying conditions around economic substance and revenue sources. Even if you owe nothing, you still need to file an annual corporate tax return. The return and payment are due within 9 months of your financial year end; late filing costs AED 500 a month for the first year, then AED 1,000 a month. We help our clients register with the FTA and connect them with qualified tax advisors so they're set up correctly from day one. Corporate Tax registration is freely included in all our package.

Opening a corporate bank account in the UAE is often the most challenging part of setting up a business, even more than obtaining the license. Banks follow strict anti money laundering regulations and frequently reject applications with unclear business activities, vague source of funds, or incomplete documentation.

From our experience of completing more than 900+ company registrations, the most common reasons for rejection include not clearly explaining what the business actually does, shareholders from higher risk jurisdictions without proper supporting documents, and applying to banks that do not serve your type of industry.

We prepare a complete bankability pack for every client, including the trade license, business plan summary, proof of funds, and shareholder profiles. We also guide you toward banks that match your business model and risk profile.

Digital banks such as Mashreq Neo and Wio Bank may approve accounts within one to five days, while traditional banks generally take between two to six weeks.

Yes, but not automatically. The UAE Golden Visa gives you 10-year residency, and business owners can qualify through a few routes. The most common: invest AED 2 million or more in your business (verified by audited financials), or run an SME that generates at least AED 1 million in annual revenue with endorsement from the Ministry of Economy. You can also qualify if your startup is approved by a UAE business incubator like Hub71 or Dubai Future Foundation. The Golden Visa lets you sponsor your family without salary requirements and stay outside the UAE for extended periods without losing residency. We help eligible clients prepare the financial documentation and connect with endorsing authorities.

A freelance visa allows you to work as an independent professional under your own name, ideal for designers, writers, consultants, and developers. It is more affordable, usually starting between AED 6,000 and AED 9,500 depending on the free zone. However, you cannot hire employees, your permitted activities are limited, and opening a corporate bank account can be more challenging.

A full business license creates a separate legal entity, such as a Limited Liability Company or a Free Zone Establishment. This structure offers limited liability protection, the ability to hire staff, wider business activity options, and stronger credibility with banks and clients.

If you plan to grow beyond solo work, a business license is almost always the smarter long term decision. Our Free Zone packages with one visa start from AED 11,600, which is only slightly higher than a freelance permit but provides significantly greater flexibility and scalability.

Choosing the right free zone depends on your industry, budget, and banking requirements, not just the lowest price.

IFZA is popular with consultants and ecommerce businesses because banks are familiar with it, and packages with one visa start from AED 22,200.

ANC Free Zone in Ajman is one of the most affordable options, with packages starting from AED 11,600 with one visa, making it ideal for startups and cost conscious entrepreneurs.

RAKEZ offers strong value for manufacturing, industrial, and warehouse focused businesses.

Meydan Free Zone is fully digital and fast, which works well for solo entrepreneurs.

Many people overlook banking reputation. Choosing a very cheap free zone with limited bank acceptance can cause serious delays later. We help you select the right jurisdiction based on your real business model, not just the price.

Not immediately, but you must monitor your revenue closely. VAT registration becomes mandatory once your taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000 within a 12 month period. It is optional, but permitted, once your supplies cross AED 187,500. The UAE applies 5 percent VAT on most goods and services. After registration, you are required to file VAT returns, typically every quarter, through the Federal Tax Authority portal. Late submissions or incorrect filings can result in penalties starting from AED 1,000 for the first offence. From 2026, new e invoicing requirements will also be introduced in phases. We strongly advise every new business owner to consult an accountant within the first three months of setup, even if revenue is still modest.

Yes, you can manage your UAE company from anywhere once your trade license is issued, and you do not need to live in Dubai to keep it active. If you have a residence visa, you must enter the UAE at least once every 180 days to keep it valid, while Golden Visa holders get more flexibility. Tax filing, license renewal, and bank compliance still apply, and inactive bank accounts may be frozen. Many of our clients set up remotely and visit later for visa and banking.

For most Free Zone and Mainland setups, the list is surprisingly short. You'll need a clear passport copy (valid for at least 6 months), a passport-sized photo, proof of your residential address (utility bill or bank statement), and a brief description of your business activities. If you're currently in the UAE on another visa, you may need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your current sponsor. Mainland LLCs also require a Memorandum of Association. If your documents are from outside the UAE, some may need to be attested — though many free zones have simplified this and accept scanned copies for initial processing. We review everything before submission so nothing gets bounced back for technicalities.

Fines can add up quickly if you do not renew your license on time. Most free zones or the Department of Economy and Tourism charge late penalties that can range from AED 100 to AED 1,000 per month. If the license is not renewed for several months, it may be cancelled, which can also lead to visa cancellation and possible bank account issues. Restoring a cancelled license is much more expensive and complicated than renewing it on time. Since your residence visa is linked to your license, both are affected if one expires. We send reminders 60 and 30 days before expiry and handle the complete renewal process for our clients.

Yes, but it is not a simple name change. It usually means closing one company and opening a new one. Moving from Free Zone to Mainland requires a new Mainland license, updated legal documents, a physical office with Ejari registration, and new visa processing. Moving the other way follows a similar process. Some free zones like IFZA allow dual licensing, which means you can keep your Free Zone company and open a Mainland branch without shutting anything down. This option is often faster and more cost effective. We review your situation carefully and guide you toward the option that truly makes sense for your business.

Depends on jurisdiction and office size. Free Zone allocations: virtual offices get 0–1 visa, flexi-desks get 1–3, dedicated offices get 5–10+. On the mainland, your visa quota grows with your office space, at about one visa per 9 square metres. In practice, flexi-desk setups support 2–4 people; dedicated offices support 10–50+. We help you match office requirements to your actual visa needs.

For a full company with a residence visa, the cheapest all-in route we offer is the ANC Free Zone in Ajman: AED 4,888 for the licence only, or AED 11,600 with one visa. A Dubai free zone starts from about AED 13,600, and a Dubai mainland licence from AED 18,200. A freelance permit can cost less, but it is a permit for one person, not a company, and it cannot hire staff. The cheapest choice is the one that fits your activity and gets your bank account approved, so we check both before you pay.

No, not for most businesses. Since 1 June 2021, mainland companies can be 100% foreign-owned for most activities, and free zone companies have always been fully foreign-owned. Only a short list of strategic activities, such as banking, insurance, and oil and gas, still needs Emirati participation. Some professional licences appoint a local service agent, who helps with government paperwork but owns no shares and takes no profit.

Not completely, but tax is low. Corporate tax is 0% on the first AED 375,000 of profit and 9% above it. A free zone company can pay 0% on its qualifying income if it meets the Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions, and businesses with revenue up to AED 3 million can claim Small Business Relief. There is no personal income tax on salaries or dividends. VAT is 5%, and you must register once taxable sales pass AED 375,000 a year. Every company must still register for corporate tax and file a yearly return.

An LLC is a mainland company licensed by Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism. It can trade anywhere in the UAE and bid for government contracts. An FZE and an FZCO are both free zone companies, which trade inside their zone and internationally. The only difference between them is the number of owners: an FZE has one shareholder, and an FZCO has two or more. All three give limited liability, and all three can be 100% foreign-owned for most activities.

A consultant works out the right licence and activity with you, reserves the trade name, prepares and files the documents, handles visas and government paperwork, and helps you open a bank account. Many consultants add a service fee on top of the government fees. We quote one all-in package price that already includes the government fees and our service fee, for example AED 11,600 for an ANC Free Zone licence with one visa, and we give you an itemised breakdown before you pay.

Yes, for the licence itself. We register the company with your passport copy and e-signed documents, or through a power of attorney, and you receive the licence digitally. Documents issued abroad, such as a power of attorney or corporate shareholder papers, usually need to be notarised, legalised by the UAE embassy, and then attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs; an apostille alone is not accepted. You need a short visit to the UAE for the visa medical test, your Emirates ID fingerprints and signing at the bank. Banks run extra compliance checks, which can take longer for some nationalities.

No fixed minimum for most businesses. The Commercial Companies Law sets no minimum for a mainland LLC, so you declare an amount that suits your business in the Memorandum of Association. The old AED 300,000 rule no longer applies. Free zones set their own rules, and most only ask you to declare a share capital rather than deposit it. Regulated activities, such as banking or financial services, need much more.

Yes. Once your licence is issued, your company can sponsor your residence visa as its investor or partner, and later visas for your staff and family. The visa is usually valid for two years and can be renewed. It takes about 2 to 4 weeks: the entry permit first, then the medical test and Emirates ID fingerprints in the UAE, and then the visa is issued.

A Dubai mainland company can sell to customers anywhere in the UAE. To open an office or shop in another emirate, you need a branch licence from that emirate. A free zone company trades inside its zone and internationally; to sell directly to customers on the mainland, it needs a mainland licence or branch, or a local distributor.

Yes, but it is not automatic. Banks check the business activity, the source of funds and the owners' backgrounds, and the account signatory usually has to visit the bank once in person. Companies with real activity in the UAE, a clear business plan and complete documents are approved more often than holding-only companies. Digital banks usually decide within days; traditional banks take 2 to 6 weeks.

You must cancel the licence formally; letting it expire does not close the company, and fines keep building. A free zone company is usually closed within a few weeks once visas are cancelled and the free zone issues its clearances. A mainland company needs a registered liquidator, a 45-day notice to creditors in local newspapers, and VAT and corporate tax deregistration, so it usually takes 2 to 3 months.

You can sell online with a free zone e-commerce licence, which costs less and suits international sales, or with a Dubai mainland e-commerce licence, which needs an Ejari-registered office but lets you sell to customers anywhere in the UAE. If you hold stock in the UAE, the licence must also cover trading in those goods. We help you choose the activity so your licence matches how you actually sell.