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Company Formation Cost Estimate

The cost of setting up a business in Dubai varies significantly. Get a clear, personalised estimate based on your specific business activity, structure, and visa requirements.

Company formation in Dubai

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in the UAE?

The cost of setting up a business in Dubai can vary significantly based on several factors. What type of business activity are you planning? Will your business be in a free zone or on the mainland? How many visas will you need, and how many shareholders are involved?

Drawing from our extensive experience assisting entrepreneurs with business setup in Dubai, we have put together an accurate cost calculation process. By providing us with the details of your business, we will be able to give you an accurate estimate of your UAE setup costs — with no hidden fees and no obligation.

Company Formation Cost Estimates

Costs depend on your chosen structure, licence activity, and office requirements. The figures below are indicative — we always provide a full itemised quote before any work begins.

Free Zone Company
AED 12,000 – 40,000+

Varies by free zone authority, licence activity, and office package.

Requirements
  • Passport copy for each shareholder
  • Chosen business activity
  • Office or flexi-desk selection
Key Benefits
  • 100% foreign ownership
  • 0% corporate and personal income tax
  • No UAE national partner required
  • Setup typically within 3–7 working days
Most Flexible
Mainland Company (DED)
AED 20,000 – 60,000+

Physical office (Ejari) is mandatory and is typically the largest cost variable.

Requirements
  • Passport copy for each shareholder
  • Commercial office with valid Ejari
  • MOA and trade name registration
Key Benefits
  • Full access to the UAE domestic market
  • Eligible for government contracts
  • 100% foreign ownership in most sectors
  • No restriction on operating across the UAE
Offshore Company
AED 8,000 – 18,000

No UAE office or visa allocation. Suitable for holding companies and asset protection.

Requirements
  • Passport copy for each shareholder
  • No physical UAE presence required
Key Benefits
  • Ideal for holding companies and asset protection
  • 0% corporate tax — full profit repatriation
  • Lowest annual setup and renewal cost
  • Available via JAFZA, RAK ICC, and Ajman

All figures are indicative. Authority fees vary by free zone, licence activity, and emirate. We confirm all current fees before issuing any formal quotation.

Request a Cost Estimate

Complete the form below and we will prepare a fully itemised cost breakdown for your specific requirements. Typically returned within one business day. No obligation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

We typically return a fully itemised cost estimate within one business day of receiving your completed form. For straightforward requirements, we can often provide initial figures on the same day.

The figures shown are indicative. Authority fees change periodically and vary by free zone, licence activity, and emirate. Every formal quotation we issue reflects the current fee schedule at the time it is prepared — there are no surprises.

Our service fee covers everything we do on your behalf: document preparation, all government and authority liaison, PRO services, application submission, progress chasing, and project management from start to handover. It is a fixed fee — not an estimate.

The cost most people underestimate for mainland companies is commercial office rent — Ejari is mandatory and typically costs AED 12,000–15,000+ per annum for even a small space. For free zone setups, the visa allocation per office size is the key variable. We flag all of this clearly in the estimate.

Have a question not covered here? Our team is happy to help.

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Get Your Personalised Cost Estimate

Speak to our team today. Share your business details and we will provide a clear, accurate breakdown of your UAE company setup costs — with no obligation.