UAE Business Setup Guides & Data
Practical UAE guides with fee tables, checklists, direct answers and links to official sources where available.
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The full picture, then drill into the topic you need.
UAE Business Setup: The Complete 2026 Guide
Setting up a company in the UAE takes 3–10 working days and costs from about AED 9,200 (offshore), AED 12,500 (free zone) or AED 15,200 (mainland) in year one. The right choice depends on where your customers are, how many residence visas you need, and whether you require physical premises.
Read the guideCosts & pricing
What setup actually costs, fee by fee.
Cost of Business Setup in Dubai (2026 Breakdown)
Line-by-line Dubai company formation costs for 2026: trade licence, registration, establishment card, visas, office and VAT — with worked examples.
8 min read · Updated 2026-08-01 CostMeydan Free Zone Licence Cost: Fees, Visas and Renewal Explained
What a Meydan Free Zone licence really costs — licence fees by package, visa and Establishment Card charges, renewal costs and the full setup process, step by step.
10 min read · Updated 2026-09-09 CostThe Cheapest Trade Licence in the UAE: What the Lowest Fee Actually Buys
The lowest UAE trade licence fees compared by emirate and free zone — plus the costs the headline price leaves out, and when the cheapest option is the wrong one.
10 min read · Updated 2026-09-09 CostIFZA Business Setup Cost: Licence, Visa and Renewal Fees
What an IFZA licence costs — package fees by visa count, what the headline price excludes, renewal and cancellation costs, and the full IFZA setup process.
10 min read · Updated 2026-09-09Choosing a jurisdiction
Free zone, mainland or offshore — and which zone.
Free Zone vs Mainland: Choosing the Right UAE Structure
A practical comparison of UAE free zone and mainland companies: ownership, cost, visas, market access, corporate tax and the customer test that decides it.
7 min read · Updated 2026-08-01 JurisdictionBest Free Zones in the UAE, Compared
IFZA, Meydan, SHAMS, RAKEZ, DMCC, SPC and more — compared on licence cost, visa quota, activity fit and setup speed for 2026.
7 min read · Updated 2026-08-01Visas & residency
Investor, Golden Visa and dependant routes.
UAE Investor and Golden Visa Cost: Every Fee Itemised
What a UAE investor or partner visa costs in 2026, the step-by-step process, dependant sponsorship rules and how the 10-year Golden Visa compares.
7 min read · Updated 2026-08-01 VisasUAE Freelance Visa and Freelance Permit: Cost, Eligibility and Process
A UAE freelance visa costs less than most think. Compare freelance permit fees by emirate and free zone, check who is eligible, and follow the full application process.
11 min read · Updated 2026-09-09Tax, banking & compliance
VAT, corporate tax, audits and business banking.
UAE VAT Registration: Thresholds, Process and Deadlines
Corporate tax at 9%, the AED 375,000 threshold, free zone qualifying income, VAT registration limits, deadlines and penalties — explained for founders.
7 min read · Updated 2026-08-01 ComplianceHow to Claim ILOE Insurance UAE 2026
Lost your job in the UAE? Learn how to claim ILOE insurance in 2026, who qualifies, required documents, compensation, deadlines, fines and claim status.
12 min read · Updated 2026-09-16Licences & choosing a provider
Activity-specific licences and how to vet a consultant.
Best Business Bank Accounts in the UAE, Compared
Documents, minimum balances, timelines and rejection reasons for UAE corporate bank accounts, plus how digital alternatives compare to traditional banks.
7 min read · Updated 2026-08-01 ProcessE-Commerce Licence in the UAE: Cost by Emirate
UAE e-commerce licence cost in 2026 by emirate: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman and RAK free zone fees, which zones allow online retail, payment gateway approval and VAT on digital sales.
7 min read · Updated 2026-09-09 ProcessHow to Choose a Business Setup Consultant in the UAE
A vetting checklist for UAE company formation agents: how to read quotations, spot hidden fees, verify credentials and avoid the most common traps.
6 min read · Updated 2026-08-01 ProcessUAE Business Activity List: How DED and Free Zone Activities Work
How UAE business activities are classified — DED activity groups, free zone activity lists, activity codes, and how to pick the right one before you apply for a licence.
12 min read · Updated 2026-09-09