Choose the right route, get licensed and open for business, with visas, banking and tax planned from the start by one DET-licensed advisory team.
In short: For most founders, business setup in Dubai comes down to three choices: where the company is licensed (mainland, a free zone or offshore), which business activities it holds, and how many visas it needs. Get those right and the rest follows in order: licence, establishment card, visas, bank account and tax registration. A free zone licence can be ready within days. Visas and banking usually add a few weeks.
Since 2021, most mainland activities can be 100% foreign-owned with no local partner. Free zones have always allowed full ownership.
No personal income tax. Corporate tax of 9% applies only to profit above AED 375,000, and qualifying free zone income can be taxed at 0%.
Flights, ports and trade routes connect Dubai to the GCC, Africa, South Asia and Europe.
Sponsor residence visas for you, your family and your team, based on your package. Eligible owners may also qualify for a 10-year Golden Visa.
Commodities in JLT, technology in Dubai Silicon Oasis, finance in DIFC, logistics in Jebel Ali: each zone has its own focus.
Most free zones issue a licence within a few working days once your documents are in order.
Choose the advisor who fits your question, pick a day and time that suits you, and we'll confirm with a Zoho Meeting link or a call. No obligation.
Helps entrepreneurs choose the right UAE setup, from free zones to mainland options. Guides clients through licensing, visas and company structuring with clear recommendations.
Helps entrepreneurs set up in Dubai, from choosing the right jurisdiction and licence to planning visas. Advises in English and Spanish, with clear, itemised setup quotes.
Helps businesses structure their UAE company with practical formation and tax guidance, from free zone and mainland setup to tax registration.
Business formation in Dubai starts with this one decision, because it sets where you can trade, how many people you can sponsor, what office you need and how you're taxed.
| Consideration | Dubai Mainland | Dubai Free Zone | Offshore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensing authority | Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) | The free zone authority, e.g. DMCC, IFZA, Meydan | Offshore registry, e.g. RAK ICC, JAFZA Offshore |
| Where you can trade | Anywhere in the UAE, including government contracts | Inside the zone and internationally; mainland trade needs a distributor or dual-licence route | Outside the UAE only |
| Ownership | 100% for most activities | 100% | 100% |
| Office | Physical office with Ejari | Flexi-desk, shared or private office | Registered agent address |
| Visas | Linked to office size | Linked to package or office | Not available |
| Corporate tax | 9% above AED 375,000 | 0% on qualifying income if conditions are met | Depends on activity and substance |
| Best for | Retail, local services, contracting, UAE customers | Consultancy, e-commerce, international trade, tech | Holding shares, property and IP |
Your customers are in the UAE, you need a shop, restaurant or showroom, or you want to bid for government work.
Dubai mainland company formationYou sell mostly B2B or internationally, want a lower entry cost, or don't need a physical office yet.
Free zone company setupYou only need a vehicle to hold shares, property or IP, and won't trade in the UAE or need visas.
UAE offshore company formationEach free zone has its own rules, fees and activity list. Here's where they sit and who they suit best.
Commodities, trading, crypto and larger teams that want a premium address.
DMCC setupCost-conscious consultancies, services and general trading.
IFZA setupStart-ups and e-commerce that want a fast, digital setup.
Meydan setupLogistics, manufacturing and import/export beside the port.
JAFZA setupAviation, tech and multinationals needing airport access.
DAFZA setupFinancial services, fintech, family offices and holding companies under common law.
DIFC setupLogistics, aviation and e-commerce fulfilment.
Dubai South setupOften lower starting fees, and you can still live and work in Dubai.
Compare all zonesYour licence is issued for specific business activities. Picking the wrong one is a common reason banks ask questions or a licence needs amending later.
Trading, import/export, e-commerce and general trading.
Consultancy, services, freelancers and skilled professions.
Manufacturing and processing.
Home-based online selling and individual professionals, with narrower scope.
Most authorities let you combine related activities on one licence. Some, such as healthcare, education, financial services and food, need extra approval. We check your activity list against your real business model before anything is filed.
Activity, customers, shareholders and visa needs.
Mainland, free zone or offshore, plus exact activity codes.
It must follow UAE naming rules and be available.
The authority confirms no objection to your activity and owners.
MOA or free zone equivalent; mainland MOAs are notarised.
Flexi-desk in the zone, or an Ejari-registered mainland office.
Fees are paid and the licence and company documents are issued.
Establishment card, visas, Emirates ID, bank account and tax registration.
Identity documents may also be required for the appointed manager, directors and authorised signatories.
Before submitting: requirements depend on the licensing authority, business activity and ownership structure. Certain foreign corporate documents may require notarisation, legalisation or attestation and certified translation. We will confirm the exact checklist before you arrange these services. Bank account opening and residence visa applications have separate document requirements.
The price depends on your authority, licence type, office, number of visas, shareholder type and extras such as attestation or bank support. Here's where the main options start.
Government fees · activity dependent
Local market access. Plan separately: office and Ejari, visas and external approvals.
Government fees · zero-visa licence
Flexible business setup. Confirm in your quote: workspace, visa allocation and visa fees.
Government fees · premium address
Premium JLT address. Plan separately: additional visas and optional services.
Government fees · zero-visa licence
Digital-first setup. Plan separately: visas and immigration services.
Government fees · zero-visa licence
A practical base for entrepreneurs, online businesses and trading ventures.
Government fees · zero-visa licence
Flexible setup routes for service businesses, traders and industrial operations.
Government fees · zero-visa licence
A creative business hub for media entrepreneurs and content-led ventures.
Government fees · zero-visa licence
Flexible licensing for publishing, e-commerce and a broad range of businesses.
Confirm your package: licence, approved activities, workspace, visa allocation and registration documents.
*Indicative government fees as at July 2026, subject to confirmation. Final fees and inclusions depend on activity, package and approvals. Highlights describe available options, not guaranteed inclusions. Visa, immigration, medical, Emirates ID, facility and other charges depend on the selected package. Professional fees are quoted separately; VAT may apply.
The licence is quick. Visas and the bank account take longer, so plan your launch date around them.
Timelines start once documents are complete. Regulated activities and external approvals can add time.
The mistake we see most often is choosing a licence on price alone. A cheaper package can limit your business activities or visa quota, and fixing that later usually costs more than getting it right at the start.
CS Astha JoshiSenior Business Development Manager, AvyancoOur business setup services in Dubai cover the whole journey, and our business setup consultants in Dubai stay with you after the licence is issued.
One written recommendation based on your business model.
Trade name, approvals, MOA, office and licence.
Establishment card, investor, staff and family visas.
Introductions to suitable banks and application support.
Corporate tax and VAT registration, bookkeeping and audit.
Renewals, amendments and compliance reminders.
We had an excellent experience working with this company for our ADGM company setup in Abu Dhabi.
Read more — Nikhil Nadanga's review on GoogleI have been dealing with Akshta for more than a year now and she has been very professional.
Read more — Sherif Ayub's review on GoogleIn so far as the emigration process can ever be made easy, Avyanco achieves exactly this.
Read more — Sheru George's review on GoogleI've used the services of Avyanco twice over the past 3 years for visa processing, and they have never failed to impress me.
Read more — Dominic Pinto's review on GoogleWe are very satisfied with Avyanco's support for Nanasu Realty — especially across AML compliance, accounting, and company setup.
Read more — Purushottam Mukkundi's review on GoogleI had an excellent experience with Avyanco Business Setup Consultancy for both my company formation and family dependent visa process in the UAE.
Read more — Eder Schaphauser Ziomek's review on GoogleCan't find your question? Our advisors answer within one business day.
Ask a QuestionChoose the mainland if you'll sell directly to UAE customers, need a shop or showroom, or want government contracts. Choose a free zone if you trade internationally or B2B, want a lower starting cost, or don't need a full office.
Dubai free zone licences start from about AED 12,500 (Meydan) and AED 12,900 (IFZA) in government fees, and a Dubai mainland licence from about AED 13,900 with DET. Visas, office rent and professional fees are extra. We give you an itemised quote upfront.
A free zone licence with no visa and a flexi-desk is usually the lowest-cost start. Free zones in other emirates, such as Ajman from about AED 5,565, can cost less and still let you live in Dubai. The cheapest option isn't always right if you need visas or mainland trade.
A free zone licence usually takes 3–7 working days, and a mainland licence 5–7 working days, once documents are ready. Visas and a bank account usually take a few more weeks.
Yes. Free zones have always allowed full foreign ownership, and since 2021 most mainland activities can also be 100% foreign-owned. A small number of strategic activities still have restrictions.
Most of the setup can be done remotely. You'll normally need a short visit for the visa medical test, Emirates ID biometrics and, often, a meeting with the bank.
Most free zones offer a flexi-desk. Mainland companies need a registered office with Ejari, and some activities, such as trading goods or manufacturing, may need a warehouse.
Yes. Most authorities allow several related activities on one licence, though the number and combination depend on the authority and licence type.
Not directly in most cases. A free zone company can sell internationally and to other free zone companies, but trading onshore usually needs a local distributor, a mainland branch or a dual-licence route. We plan this before you choose a zone.
Once your company is licensed and has an establishment card, you apply for the investor visa, complete a medical test and Emirates ID biometrics, and the visa is issued. We handle the process for you.
Yes. Once you hold a residence visa as an investor, you can sponsor your spouse and children, subject to the minimum salary or income requirement and suitable housing.
Yes. Trade licences in Dubai are renewed annually. We remind you before expiry and handle the renewal so you avoid late fees.
There is no personal income tax. Companies pay 9% corporate tax on taxable profit above AED 375,000, qualifying free zone income can be taxed at 0%, and VAT is 5%. Every company must register for corporate tax.
Most do, but approval is always the bank's decision. Banks look at your activity, shareholders, source of funds and UAE substance. We prepare the file and introduce you to banks that suit your profile, which shortens the process.
Tell us what you want to build. A senior advisor will recommend the right route, share a written, itemised quote and handle the setup from licence to bank account.
