Business Setup in Dubai
Business setup in Dubai from AED 12,900. Compare free zone and DET mainland costs, visa quotas, timelines and licence types, then get fixed quotes from verified firms.
Business Setup AE editorial review Last reviewed 2026-09-09
Quick answer
Dubai businesses are licensed through the Department of Economy and Tourism for mainland activities or a named free-zone authority. Choose by customer location, approved activity, premises and visa needs; use the dedicated cost guide and current verified packages for pricing rather than relying on one universal setup figure.
- Free zone from
- AED 12,900
- Mainland from
- AED 15,200 + rent
- Setup time
- 3 – 10 working days
- Corporate tax
- 0% to AED 375k, then 9%
Dubai licenses businesses through two parallel systems. The Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) issues mainland licences that can trade anywhere in the UAE. More than twenty free zones — IFZA, Meydan, DMCC, DAFZA, JAFZA, Dubai Internet City and others — issue their own licences with 100% foreign ownership and their own visa quotas.
Which you choose is driven by where your customers are. Selling to UAE consumers, retail premises or government buyers means mainland. Serving clients overseas, selling online, or running a consultancy usually means free zone, at roughly half the year-one cost because no Ejari tenancy is required.
This page sets out real 2026 numbers for both routes, the licence categories DET issues, the visa mechanics, and the compliance calendar that starts the day your licence is printed. Use the cost calculator for a line-by-line estimate and the marketplace to compare fixed-price packages from verified providers.
| Scenario | Structure | Year-one total (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Solo consultant, one visa | IFZA free zone flexi-desk | 18,000 – 23,000 |
| E-commerce, one visa | Meydan free zone | 20,000 – 26,000 |
| Trading company, three visas | IFZA / RAKEZ | 30,000 – 40,000 |
| Retail shop, two visas | DET mainland + shop rent | 60,000 – 120,000 |
| Agency, five staff | DET mainland + 45 sqm office | 80,000 – 130,000 |
| Holding vehicle, no visas | RAK ICC offshore | 8,000 – 14,000 |
Dubai licence types
- Commercial licence — buying, selling and distributing goods, including e-commerce and general trading
- Professional licence — services and expertise: consultancy, marketing, IT, design, engineering
- Industrial licence — manufacturing, processing and assembly, requiring industrial premises
- Tourism licence — travel agencies, tour operators and hospitality, issued with DET tourism approval
- Freelance permit — individual professionals working under their own name, from around AED 7,500
Free zone or mainland in Dubai — the honest comparison
| Factor | Free zone | Mainland (DET) |
|---|---|---|
| Year-one cost | AED 12,900 – 24,000 all-in | AED 15,200 licence + AED 10,000+ rent |
| Sell to Dubai customers | Via distributor or dual licence | Yes, unrestricted |
| Premises | Flexi-desk included | Ejari tenancy mandatory |
| Visas | 1 – 6 by facility tier | ~1 per 9 sqm of office |
| Setup time | 3 – 7 working days | 5 – 10 working days |
| Government tenders | No | Yes |
| Best for | Consulting, e-commerce, export | Retail, F&B, contracting, B2C |
The main Dubai free zones
IFZA is the volume leader on price for consultancy and trading. Meydan pairs a Dubai address with strong e-commerce activity lists. DMCC is the premium choice for commodities, crypto and businesses that want the strongest banking reception. DAFZA and JAFZA serve logistics near the airport and Jebel Ali port. Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Design District serve their named sectors with community access that matters for hiring.
| Zone | From (AED/yr) | Visas on flexi-desk | Strongest for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IFZA | 12,900 | Up to 3 | Consultancy, general trading |
| Meydan | 14,500 | Up to 3 | E-commerce, digital services |
| DMCC | 34,000 | Up to 6 | Commodities, crypto, banking |
| DAFZA | 35,000 | Office-based | Air freight, re-export |
| JAFZA | 30,000 | Office-based | Sea freight, warehousing |
| Dubai Internet City | 28,000+ | Office-based | Tech and SaaS |
Visas, Emirates ID and family sponsorship
Your own investor or employment visa is issued after the establishment card. Budget AED 3,500 to AED 5,700 per person covering entry permit, status change, medical fitness, Emirates ID and stamping, and allow seven to fourteen working days.
Once your Emirates ID is issued you can sponsor a spouse and children. Golden Visa routes exist for property investors above AED 2 million, and for entrepreneurs, specialists and top-tier talent with the relevant endorsement.
Who this option suits best
- Founders serving international clients from a UAE base
- E-commerce operators using UAE fulfilment
- Consultants needing residency quickly
- Retail and F&B operators targeting Dubai consumers
- Regional headquarters for MENA operations
Step-by-step process
- 1
Define activity and customer base1 day
Where your customers sit decides free zone versus mainland before anything else.
- 2
Shortlist zones or confirm DET activity codes1 day
Compare on cost per visa, renewal price and bank acceptance.
- 3
Reserve the trade name1 day
Three options; avoid religious terms and country names.
- 4
Initial approval and document submission1 – 3 days
Passports, photos, proof of address and any regulator approval.
- 5
Pay and receive the trade licence1 – 4 days
Free zones issue in days; mainland requires notarised MOA and Ejari first.
- 6
Establishment card and e-channel2 – 5 days
Immigration registration that unlocks your visa quota.
- 7
Residence visa and Emirates ID7 – 14 days
Entry permit, medical, biometrics, stamping.
- 8
Bank account and tax registration1 – 4 weeks
Open the corporate account and register for corporate tax with the FTA.
Documents required
- Passport copies (valid 6+ months) for every shareholder and manager
- Passport-size photo with white background for each applicant
- Proof of address or a recent utility bill / bank statement
- Three proposed trade names in order of preference
- Business activity list and a short business description
- Emirates ID and visa copy or entry stamp if you are already in the UAE
- Ejari tenancy contract (mainland only)
- Notarised MOA for LLCs
Realistic timeline
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Free zone licence | 3 – 7 working days |
| Mainland licence | 5 – 10 working days |
| Establishment card | 2 – 5 working days |
| Residence visa | 7 – 14 working days |
| Bank account | 1 – 4 weeks |
All figures are 2026 government and zone fees. Provider service fees are listed separately on every package so you can compare fairly.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Picking a zone on year-one price alone
Fix: Ask for the year-two renewal invoice in writing.
Buying a free zone licence to serve Dubai retail customers
Fix: Onshore B2C needs a DET mainland licence.
Under-counting visas
Fix: Quota is tied to your facility; plan 24 months out.
Leaving bank onboarding to the end
Fix: Start compliance preparation while the licence is processing.
Skipping corporate tax registration
Fix: Register with the FTA after licence issuance regardless of profit.
Myth vs reality
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| Dubai companies pay no tax | 9% corporate tax applies above AED 375,000 of taxable profit; free zones need QFZP status for 0%. |
| You need AED 300,000 share capital | Most Dubai free zones and DET LLCs require no paid-up capital deposit. |
| Setup takes months | A free zone licence can be issued within a week of complete documents. |
Compliance after licensing
- Corporate tax registration with the FTA — 9% applies on taxable profit above AED 375,000; 0% below it. Small Business Relief may apply to revenue under AED 3m.
- VAT registration is mandatory once taxable turnover passes AED 375,000 in 12 months, and voluntary from AED 187,500.
- Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) notifications for relevant activities such as holding, IP, headquarters and distribution.
- Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) register kept with the licensing authority and updated within 15 days of any change.
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML) registration on the goAML portal for designated non-financial businesses and professions.
- Annual licence and establishment-card renewal, plus audited financials where the free zone or activity requires them.
Regulators referenced: Ministry of Economy (UAE) · Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) · Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) · Federal Tax Authority (FTA) · General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) · Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a business in Dubai?
What is the cheapest way to set up in Dubai?
Can I own 100% of a Dubai company?
How long does it take to get a Dubai trade licence?
Do I need to live in Dubai to own a company?
What taxes apply to a Dubai business?
People also ask
Which free zone is cheapest in Dubai?
IFZA is generally the lowest-cost Dubai free zone from around AED 12,900, with Meydan close behind for e-commerce activities.
Can I get a Dubai visa with a free zone company?
Yes. A flexi-desk package typically carries one to three residence visas including your own investor visa.
Is a Dubai bank account hard to open?
It takes one to four weeks and depends on your activity, residency and documentation quality. Clear contracts and a source-of-funds narrative speed it up.
Can I set up a Dubai company remotely?
Most free zones allow full remote incorporation. You must enter the UAE for the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics if you take a visa.
Founder checklist
- Confirm the exact activity codes you need before paying any fee
- Compare at least three verified providers on total year-one cost, not licence cost alone
- Check the visa quota attached to your chosen facility (flexi-desk vs office)
- Ask what is excluded: establishment card, e-channel deposit, medical, Emirates ID, PRO fees
- Confirm bank-account support and which banks the provider actually opens with
- Register for corporate tax within the deadline after licence issuance
- Diarise your licence renewal date and UBO/ESR filing dates
Why you can trust this guide
- Independent marketplace — Business Setup AE does not form companies and takes no commission on provider pricing
- Every listed provider holds a valid UAE trade licence and publishes fixed prices
- Costs reviewed against 2026 published government schedules
- Written and reviewed by advisers who have processed UAE licences and residence visas
Editorial ownership: Business Setup AE Editorial Team. See our editorial and corrections policy and package verification method.
Related guides and services
Official government sources
Fees, thresholds and licensing rules on this page are checked against these official UAE government and regulator sources.
- Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)Official Dubai mainland licensing authority and fee schedules
- Invest in Dubai — licence servicesGovernment portal for Dubai trade licence applications
- Ministry of Economy — UAEFederal commercial registration, trade names and company law
Topics covered
Get fixed quotes from verified providers
Tell us what you need once. Verified UAE formation firms reply with fixed, itemised pricing — usually within 15 minutes.