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 2026-10-17 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 2026-08-01 JurisdictionFZE vs FZCO vs FZC: What the Free Zone Company Types Mean
FZE vs FZCO vs FZC explained: what each free zone company label means, how it depends on the authority, shareholder rules, liability, banking and how to choose.
7 min read · Updated 2026-10-17 JurisdictionFujairah Free Zone Company Setup: Licence, Activities, Cost and Process
Fujairah Free Zone licence cost drivers, activities, documents and visa options explained — plus how FFZA compares with UAQ, Ajman and RAKEZ.
9 min read · Updated 2026-10-26 JurisdictionDubai South Free Zone: Company Setup, Licence Cost and Activities
Dubai South Free Zone licence cost drivers, logistics, aviation and business park activities, setup steps and how it compares with DAFZA and JAFZA.
8 min read · Updated 2026-10-26 JurisdictionAjman Media City Free Zone: Licence, Cost and Setup Guide
Ajman Media City Free Zone company formation explained: licence types, activities, visas, cost drivers and how AMC differs from Ajman Free Zone.
7 min read · Updated 2026-10-26Visas & 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 2026-09-09 VisasHow to Check UAE Visa Status by Passport Number (2026 Guide)
Check UAE visa status using passport details through ICP or GDRFA Dubai. Follow the official steps to check validity, expiry and application progress.
10 min read · Updated 2026-10-01 VisasUAE Golden Visa with AED 30,000 Salary: Requirements, Documents and Process
Golden visa UAE 30000 salary route explained: skilled professional criteria, MOHRE skill levels, degree, salary proof, documents and application steps.
8 min read · Updated 2026-10-26Tax, banking & compliance
VAT, corporate tax, audits and business banking.
UAE VAT Registration: Thresholds, Process and Deadlines
VAT registration in the UAE: the AED 375,000 mandatory threshold, voluntary registration from AED 187,500, the EmaraTax process, deadlines and penalties — explained for founders.
7 min read · Updated 2026-10-03 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 2026-09-16 Compliance17 Tax-Friendly Countries and Territories in 2026: Where Can You Live and Build a Business?
Compare 17 tax-friendly countries and territories in 2026. Understand personal tax, business taxes and what to check before setting up in the UAE.
14 min read · Updated 2026-10-01 ComplianceGratuity Calculator UAE 2026: How to Calculate Your End-of-Service Benefits
Calculate UAE gratuity with our free 2026 calculator. Learn the 21-day and 30-day formula, worked examples, unpaid leave, resignation and the 2-year cap.
12 min read · Updated 2026-10-14 ComplianceUltimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) Declaration in the UAE
Who counts as an ultimate beneficial owner in the UAE, which companies must keep a UBO register, what to file, update deadlines and how it affects banking.
6 min read · Updated 2026-10-17 ComplianceUAE Influencer Licence: Who Needs It, Cost and How to Apply
Influencer license UAE rules for 2026: who needs the UAE Media Council Advertiser Permit, the trade licence requirement, exemptions, cost and steps.
8 min read · Updated 2026-10-26 ComplianceMemorandum of Association (MoA) in Dubai: What It Is, Key Clauses and How to Draft It
Memorandum of association Dubai guide: when an MoA is required, key clauses under UAE company law, notarisation, amendments and free zone alternatives.
8 min read · Updated 2026-10-26Licences & 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 ProcessHow to Validate a Business Idea in the UAE Before Buying a Licence
Test your UAE business idea before committing to setup costs. Learn how to research demand, estimate margins and understand when licensing is needed.
10 min read · Updated 2026-10-20 ProcessDubai Import Code: Application, Documents and Practical Use
How to get a Dubai import code (customs client code) through Dubai Customs: who needs one, documents, steps, renewal links to your trade licence and common mistakes.
7 min read · Updated 2026-10-17 ProcessDropshipping in the UAE: Licence, Setup and Practical Rules
Is dropshipping legal in the UAE? Which licence you need, mainland vs free zone, VAT, payment gateways, supplier risk and a before-you-pay checklist for founders.
7 min read · Updated 2026-10-17 ProcessStarting a Cloud Kitchen in Dubai: Licence and Approvals
How to start a cloud kitchen in Dubai: licence activities, Dubai Municipality food safety approvals, kitchen premises, delivery apps, illustrative costs and mistakes to avoid.
7 min read · Updated 2026-10-17 ProcessTechnical Services Licence in Dubai: Activities, Routes and Setup
Technical services licence in Dubai explained: maintenance and contracting activities, mainland vs free zone, approvals, staff visas, quote checklist and common mistakes.
7 min read · Updated 2026-10-17 ProcessEjari Registration for Businesses in Dubai: What Founders Need
How Ejari works for a Dubai mainland company: when you need it, documents, registration steps, flexi-desk options, renewals and the licence and visa steps that depend on it.
6 min read · Updated 2026-10-17 ProcessUAE Establishment Card (Immigration Card): A Founder's Guide
What the UAE establishment card is, why every visa-sponsoring company needs one, documents, how to apply through ICP or GDRFA, renewal timing and common delays.
6 min read · Updated 2026-10-17 ProcessHiring Your First Employee: UAE Work Permits Explained
How a UAE company hires staff: MOHRE work permits, free zone employment visas, documents, contracts, WPS salary rules and the order of steps from offer to residency.
7 min read · Updated 2026-10-17 ProcessHow to Add or Change Activities on a UAE Trade Licence
How to amend activities on a UAE trade licence: when it's allowed, approvals, documents, mainland vs free zone rules, cost questions and how it affects visas and banking.
6 min read · Updated 2026-10-17 ProcessSmall Business Ideas in the UAE: Low-Investment Options and the Licence Each Needs
Small business ideas in UAE for 2026, from home-based and online to service businesses — with the licence type, approvals and cost drivers for each idea.
9 min read · Updated 2026-10-26 ProcessHow to Sell on Amazon UAE: Licence, Seller Account and Setup Costs
How to sell on Amazon UAE in 2026: trade licence, Seller Central documents, VAT registration, import code, FBA and the cost items to budget for.
8 min read · Updated 2026-10-26 ProcessRestaurant and Food Truck Licence in Dubai: Approvals, Costs and Steps
Food truck license Dubai and restaurant licence steps: DET trade licence, Dubai Municipality food safety approvals, location permits and cost drivers.
8 min read · Updated 2026-10-26 ProcessHome-Based Business Licence in the UAE: Tajer (Abu Dhabi) and Home Licence Options
Home based business Dubai and UAE options: Dubai home business licences, Abu Dhabi Tajer, free zone alternatives, eligibility and permitted activities.
7 min read · Updated 2026-10-26