How much does it cost to set up a company in Dubai?

Government and authority fees for setting up a company in Dubai vary by jurisdiction and business activity. Free zone trade license fees start from AED 10,900 at SHAMS, AED 12,500 at IFZA, and AED 19,500 at DMCC, these are government charges that typically cover the trade license and company registration. Mainland LLC formation requires DED license fees that generally range from AED 15,000 to AED 25,000 depending on the activity, initial approvals, and MOA drafting. Offshore company registration at JAFZA or RAK ICC starts from around AED 8,500. These figures cover government charges only. Additional costs to budget for include UAE investor visa fees (AED 3,000–6,000 per visa), medical fitness testing, Emirates ID issuance, and flexi-desk or office lease costs if required. Regulo's advisory fee is tailored to your specific setup and is discussed transparently during your free consultation.

What is the difference between mainland and free zone company setup in Dubai?

A mainland company, licensed by the UAE Department of Economic Development (DED) or the relevant emirate authority, can trade directly anywhere in the UAE market without restriction, open offices in any location, and participate in government tenders. Since the 2021 UAE Foreign Direct Investment law amendments, most mainland activities now permit 100% foreign ownership, removing the historic requirement for a UAE national sponsor. A free zone company offers 100% foreign ownership, full profit repatriation, and corporate tax exemptions, but is generally restricted from selling directly to the UAE mainland market without appointing a local distributor or opening a separate mainland branch. Free zones are ideal for international trading, e-commerce, technology, consulting, and media businesses. The best choice depends on your target market: if your primary clients are UAE-based or government entities, mainland typically offers better reach; for international operations, a free zone company offers structural and cost advantages. Regulo's advisors assess your specific activity and goals to recommend the right structure.

How long does it take to set up a company in Dubai?

Company formation timelines in Dubai vary by jurisdiction. Free zone company formation is typically the fastest: straightforward applications at IFZA, SHAMS, and similar free zones are approved within 1–3 business days once all documents are submitted. DMCC and DIFC have slightly longer timelines of 5–7 business days due to their more regulated environments. Mainland company formation through the DED typically takes 5–10 business days, depending on the business activity and whether additional regulatory approvals are required from sector ministries. Opening a UAE corporate bank account is a separate step that typically takes 2–4 weeks depending on the bank. Regulo's dedicated advisors handle all government liaising, document preparation, and submission on your behalf, significantly reducing delays. Our average end-to-end setup time, from first consultation to active trade license, is 3 to 5 business days for free zone companies.

Do I need to be a UAE resident to start a company in Dubai?

No. You do not need to be a UAE resident to start a company in Dubai. Foreign nationals can legally own 100% of a free zone company from anywhere in the world, the entire incorporation process can often be completed remotely, with documents signed digitally. For mainland companies, the 2021 UAE Commercial Companies Law amendments removed the local UAE sponsor requirement for the majority of business activities, meaning foreign investors can now fully own and operate their mainland business without a UAE national partner. That said, setting up a company in Dubai does entitle you to apply for a UAE investor or partner residency visa, which many business owners choose to obtain to facilitate their UAE operations. The visa grants UAE residency and an Emirates ID, opening access to local banking, healthcare, and education. Regulo can process your company formation and residency visa application simultaneously, allowing you to achieve both in as little as two weeks.

Can I get a UAE residence visa through company setup?

Yes. When you set up a company in Dubai, you become eligible to apply for a UAE investor or partner residency visa. This visa grants you UAE residency status and an Emirates ID, allowing you to live in the UAE, open personal bank accounts, access UAE healthcare, and enrol children in local schools. The investor visa is typically valid for 2–3 years and is renewable. The number of visas your company can sponsor depends on several factors: the company type (mainland, free zone, or offshore), the size and type of your office space, and the specific free zone authority's visa allocation policies. Flexi-desk packages at most free zones typically come with 1–3 visa allocations; larger office spaces unlock higher quotas. Mainland companies can sponsor an unlimited number of visas subject to office size requirements set by the Ministry of Human Resources. Regulo's visa team handles the complete application process, including medical fitness tests and Emirates ID registration, to minimise disruption to your schedule.

Which Dubai free zone is best for my business?

Dubai has over 40 free zones, each designed for specific industries and business activities. DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) is the world's largest free zone, best suited for trading, commodities, gold, and jewellery businesses. DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) is the premier destination for financial services, funds, and professional services firms. Dubai Internet City and Dubai Silicon Oasis cater specifically to technology and software companies. JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone) is the preferred choice for logistics, manufacturing, and import-export businesses due to its proximity to Jebel Ali Port. IFZA and SHAMS offer among the most competitively priced licenses in the UAE and are popular with consultants, freelancers, and early-stage startups. RAK ICC is widely used for offshore holding companies and intellectual property structures. Regulo's advisors evaluate your business activity, target market, budget, and visa requirements to recommend the free zone that delivers the best value and the right operating permissions for your specific goals.

What is the minimum share capital required to set up a company in Dubai?

Minimum share capital requirements in Dubai vary by jurisdiction and business activity. Most UAE free zones, including IFZA, SHAMS, DMCC, and Dubai Internet City, require no minimum paid-up capital or set nominal amounts of AED 1,000 to AED 50,000, which does not need to be deposited in a bank account at the time of incorporation. DIFC is an exception, with higher capital requirements for regulated financial entities. For mainland companies established under the DED, there is generally no mandatory minimum capital for most standard business activities. However, certain regulated activities, such as financial services, insurance, healthcare, and construction, impose specific minimum capital requirements set by the relevant regulatory authority. Offshore companies (JAFZA, RAK ICC) also have no practical capital requirements beyond a nominal registration amount. Regulo will confirm the exact requirements for your chosen activity during the initial consultation, ensuring your company structure is correctly capitalised from day one.

Do I need a local sponsor for a mainland company in Dubai?

No. Following the UAE's landmark 2021 Foreign Direct Investment law amendments to the Commercial Companies Law, foreign investors can now own 100% of their mainland company in Dubai for the vast majority of business activities. This was a significant policy change: prior to 2021, UAE law required a UAE national to hold at least 51% of any mainland LLC, meaning foreign investors were restricted to a maximum 49% stake. Today, that requirement has been removed for most commercial, professional, and industrial activities. A small number of strategically sensitive sectors, including certain defence, security, transport, and telecommunications activities, are listed on the UAE's Negative List and still require a UAE national shareholder or agent. For professional licence activities such as law firms, accounting practices, and consulting, a local service agent is still required but holds no ownership stake in the company. Regulo's advisors will review your specific business activity against the current DED and ministerial approved lists to confirm whether 100% ownership applies to your setup.

What is the step-by-step process to incorporate a company in Dubai?

Setting up a company in Dubai follows a clear, structured process that Regulo manages end-to-end. Step 1: Choose your business activity and legal structure (LLC, FZE, or offshore). Your activity determines which jurisdictions and license types are available. Step 2: Select your jurisdiction, mainland, free zone, or offshore, based on your target market, budget, and visa requirements. Step 3: Reserve your trade name; it must comply with UAE naming conventions and be approved by the relevant authority. Step 4: Submit incorporation documents, typically including passport copies, a completed application form, and proof of address. Mainland companies may require additional regulatory approvals from sector ministries. Step 5: Pay government fees and receive your trade license. Free zone licenses are typically issued within 1–3 business days; mainland licenses within 3–7 business days. Step 6: Open a UAE corporate bank account. Regulo handles all document preparation and bank follow-up. Step 7: Apply for your UAE investor or partner residency visa. Step 8: Complete post-incorporation setup, VAT registration if applicable, payroll, accounting, and compliance. Regulo handles all eight steps on your behalf.

Free Zone vs Mainland Company in Dubai: Which is Right for You?

Dubai gives you two primary routes to company formation: a free zone licence or a mainland LLC. Both allow 100% foreign ownership today. The right choice turns on where your customers are, how many visas you need, and whether you want to bid for government contracts.

What Changed in 2021

The landmark revision to the UAE Commercial Companies Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021) removed the historic requirement for a UAE national to hold at least 51% of any mainland LLC. For the vast majority of commercial, professional, and industrial activities, foreign investors can now own 100% of a mainland company outright. This significantly narrowed the traditional advantage of free zones.

Still restricted

A small number of activities, primarily in defence, security, certain transport services, and telecommunications infrastructure, remain on the UAE's Negative List and still require a UAE national shareholder. Your specific activity should be verified against the current DED and ministerial approved lists before incorporation.

Mainland LLC: Key Facts

Licensed by the Department of Economic Development (DED) in Dubai, or the relevant authority in other emirates.
Can trade directly with any customer anywhere in the UAE, no distributor required.
Eligible to bid for UAE government and semi-government contracts and tenders.
Can open offices, warehouses, or retail branches in any UAE location.
Visa quota is not capped by package, it scales with your licensed office space (approximately one visa per 9 sq m of office under Ministry of Human Resources guidelines).
For professional licence activities (consulting, law, accounting), a Local Service Agent (LSA) is required but holds no ownership stake and receives a fixed annual fee.
Government fee (DED trade licence) typically AED 10,000–15,000 depending on activity, plus initial approval and MOA notarisation fees totalling AED 15,000–25,000 for a standard LLC.

Free Zone Company: Key Facts

Free zones are special economic areas established by UAE federal or emirate authorities to attract foreign investment. There are over 45 free zones in the UAE today, each regulated by its own authority. The most prominent in Dubai include DMCC, DIFC, Jebel Ali (JAFZA), Dubai Internet City, and Dubai Media City. IFZA and SHAMS (Sharjah) are popular options for SMEs due to lower costs.

100% foreign ownership has always been permitted, this was the original attraction before the 2021 mainland reform.
Full profit repatriation: no restrictions on transferring funds out of the UAE.
Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZPs) can access a 0% corporate tax rate on qualifying income under the UAE Corporate Tax Law (effective June 2023). Non-qualifying income is taxed at 9%.
Setup is typically faster, IFZA and SHAMS issue licences within 1–3 business days after document submission.
Visa quota is tied to your office package: a standard flexi-desk package typically allocates 1–6 investor visas. Larger office space unlocks more.
Generally restricted from selling directly to UAE mainland customers. To serve mainland clients, you either appoint a mainland distributor or set up a separate mainland branch (at additional cost).
Free zone companies cannot participate in UAE government tenders.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Factor	Mainland LLC	Free Zone
UAE market access	Unrestricted	Via distributor or mainland branch only
Foreign ownership	100% (most activities)	100%
Government tenders	Eligible	Not eligible
Visa quota	Unlimited (office size dependent)	1–6+ per office package
Setup time	3–7 business days	1–3 business days
Government fees from	AED 15,000	AED 10,900
Corporate tax	9% above AED 375,000	0% on qualifying income (QFZP)
Office requirement	Physical office required	Flexi-desk available
Prestige / banking	Generally easier banking	Variable by free zone

When to Choose Mainland

Your primary customers are UAE-based businesses or consumers.
You want to bid for government or public sector contracts.
Your activity requires a physical retail presence, restaurant, or clinic in a specific UAE location.
You need a large visa quota for a growing local team.
You are in a sector where free zone licences are not available (e.g. real estate brokerage, labour supply).

When to Choose Free Zone

You are running an international trading, e-commerce, or consulting business and your clients are primarily outside the UAE.
You want the lowest possible setup cost and a fast launch.
You want to benefit from the 0% corporate tax rate as a Qualifying Free Zone Person.
You are a freelancer or solo founder who needs a legal entity but not a full office.
You are building a holding structure to own subsidiaries or intellectual property.

The Hybrid Approach

Many businesses operate a free zone entity for their international or digital revenues and a separate mainland branch or LLC for UAE-market sales. This structure separates income streams cleanly, though it involves maintaining two licences and two sets of compliance obligations. Regulo's advisors model the cost and tax implications of both single and dual-structure setups during your consultation.

Bottom line

If more than 50% of your revenue will come from UAE-based clients, mainland is usually the cleaner choice. If you are primarily serving international markets or building a holding structure, a free zone delivers better economics and faster setup.

Ready to set up your UAE company?

Book a free 30-minute consultation with a Regulo advisor. We will walk through your specific situation and give you a clear cost and timeline.

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