Business Setup Cost in Dubai: Complete 2026 Price Breakdown
Transparent, accurate pricing for Mainland, Free Zone, and Offshore company setup. No hidden fees. Get your exact cost calculated based on your business needs, visa requirements, and jurisdiction preferences.
About the figures on this page. Amounts in AED are indicative ranges for planning, not quotes. Government and free zone fees differ by activity, emirate, number of visas and date, and they change. Confirm current fees with the relevant authority or get a written quote before you pay. Free zone and provider prices are market estimates rather than official tariffs. Timelines are indicative and depend on the authority, the activity and how complete your documents are.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in Dubai?
Different websites quote different numbers – most don't explain what's actually included. Here are the real numbers based on daily investor guidance.
Free Zone License
Most affordable option for international business
Mainland License
For UAE market operations & retail
LLC Formation
Full legal entity with office space
Offshore Company
International trading & asset holding
Investor Visa
Per person residence visa cost
Office / Flexi Desk
Annual workspace costs
Factors That Affect Business Setup Cost
The final cost depends on multiple variables. Tell us your activity and we can calculate your exact cost within 2 minutes.
Type of Business Activity
Trading, consulting, manufacturing, or services
Jurisdiction Choice
Mainland vs Free Zone vs Offshore
Number of Visas
Investor, employee, and dependent visas
Office Type
Flexi-desk, dedicated office, or warehouse
Regulatory Approvals
DHA, KHDA, Municipality, or other authorities
Additional Activities
More activities increase license cost
💰 Free Zone Business Setup Cost Breakdown
Free zones offer the most affordable licenses in the UAE – perfect for international business operations.
What's Included:
- License issuance
- Registration fees
- Establishment card
- Immigration file
- Flexi-desk / shared office (optional)
- 0–3 visas (package dependent)
💡 Cost Examples by Free Zone Tier:
The gap between low-cost and premium free zones is significant, and the cheapest option isn't always the best fit for your activity or visa needs. Our free zone license cost comparison breaks down what each major zone actually includes in their packages so you can compare like for like.
🏪 Mainland Business Setup Cost Breakdown
Mainland setup is more flexible and allows you to operate anywhere in the UAE – slightly more expensive but with unlimited market access.
Breakdown May Include:
- Trade name reservation
- Initial approval
- License issuance fee
- Office Ejari contract
- External approvals (if required)
- MoA drafting / notarization
- Immigration card
These line items vary considerably depending on your activity, location, and whether external approvals are involved. For a detailed, item-by-item breakdown of what drives mainland costs up or down, read our full mainland license cost breakdown in Dubai.
✅ Mainland is Ideal For:
- Retail shops
- Contracting companies
- Restaurants & cafés
- Logistics companies
- Service providers targeting UAE market
🏛️ LLC Company Formation Cost
Limited Liability Company setup with full legal structure and corporate standing in the UAE.
• Dedicated office space
• Large visa quotas
🌍 Offshore Company Setup Cost
Offshore companies cannot operate inside UAE but are ideal for international business structures.
🎯 Perfect For:
- International trading
- Holding assets
- Global structure optimization
- Bank account opening
💰 Jurisdiction Affects Cost:
RAK Offshore → Affordable | Ajman Offshore → Mid-range | JAFZA Offshore → Premium
🛂 Visa Costs in Dubai (Investor & Employee)
Visa prices depend on whether the applicant is inside or outside the UAE.
Breakdown Includes:
- Entry permit
- Change of status
- Medical test
- Emirates ID
- Visa stamping
Renewals are similar in cost.
Visa costs add up quickly once you factor in multiple shareholders, employees, and dependents. Use our UAE visa cost calculator to get an accurate total based on your specific headcount and visa types before you finalise your budget.
🏢 Office / Ejari Costs (Mainland & Free Zone)
📌 Important: Most free zones allow flexi-desk setups. Mainland companies often require a physical office (depends on activity).
⚠ Hidden Costs Many Websites Don't Tell You About
Here's the reality that most consultants hide until it's too late:
- ❌ Foreign Name Fees (AED 1,000) If your company name is not Arabic-rooted
- ❌ Document Attestation Fees Required for foreign corporate shareholders
- ❌ Additional Activity Fees More activities = higher license cost
- ❌ Immigration File Setup Required for companies sponsoring visas
- ❌ External Approvals Some regulated activities require approval from KHDA, DHA, or Municipality
Cost Comparison: Mainland vs Free Zone vs Offshore
Choose the right jurisdiction based on your business needs and budget:
| Feature | Free Zone | Mainland | Offshore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | ⭐ Cheapest | Moderate | Cheap–Mid |
| Operate inside UAE | ❌ No | ✔ Yes | ❌ No |
| Visa quotas | Limited | Unlimited | None |
| Office required | Optional | Required | No |
| Ideal for | Online, global services | Retail, contracting | Global trading |
Example Cost Scenarios (Realistic Estimates)
These are realistic mid-range estimates. If your budget is tight, there are legitimate ways to reduce each of these figures significantly. See our guide to the cheapest business setup options in Dubai before deciding which scenario applies to you.
Solo Entrepreneur (Consulting)
- Free zone license
- No visas
- Flexi-desk option
1 Visa Free Zone Setup (E-commerce)
- License
- Establishment card
- 1 visa included
Mainland LLC with Office & 2 Visas
- License
- Ejari contract
- MoA drafting
- 2 visas
Questions to ask before you pay
- Which authority issues each approval, and what is its current published fee?
- Does the quote include the establishment card, visas and Emirates ID, or are they extra?
- What will renewal cost in year two, and when is it due?
- Which amounts are government fees and which are the provider's service fee?
- Is the quote in writing, with the date it was issued?
Related guides
- SME Business Setup in Dubai: Practical 2026 Guide for SMEs
- Setting Up an International Business in Dubai & UAE - 2026 Guide
- Documents Required for Business Setup in Dubai
- How to Choose the Best Business Setup Company in Dubai
- Business Setup Mistakes to Avoid in Dubai
- Cost to Hire Employees in the UAE
- Multi-Currency Business Accounts in the UAE
Official sources
Requirements and fees change. Check them directly with the authority before you apply:
- Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET): Mainland licensing and trade names
- UAE Government Portal: Official guides to government services
Why Work With a Business Setup Consultant?
Most investors overspend because they make these common mistakes:
We Make Sure You Get:
The Right License
Matched to your specific business activity
Lowest Possible Cost
No unnecessary expenses or add-ons
Accurate Approvals
All regulatory requirements handled correctly
Business Setup Cost: Transparent Pricing
Complete breakdown with no hidden fees
Full Visa & Bank Support
End-to-end assistance until you're operational
Want Your Exact Business Setup Cost Calculation?
Get your personalized cost breakdown in 2 minutes – completely free and transparent.
Tell us:
- Your business activity
- How many visas you need
- Mainland or Free Zone preference
- Office needs (if any)
We'll calculate your exact cost – clear, transparent, and accurate.
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