How to start a business in Dubai (2026, step by step)
The complete, honest process — what to do, what it costs, the documents you need, and how long each step takes. No local sponsor, no sales calls. هذه الصفحة بالعربية
01 The 7 steps to start a Dubai company
- 1Choose your licence type and free zone
Pick a free zone (100% ownership; ideal for services, consulting, online and trading-out) or mainland (for direct UAE local-market trade and retail). Dubai free-zone licences start at AED 12,500 (Meydan) and AED 12,900 (IFZA); the cheapest UAE licence overall is AED 4,888 (Ajman) if you don't need a Dubai address.
- 2Reserve your trade name and activity
Choose 2–3 trade-name options and your business activity, then reserve the name with the free-zone authority.
- 3Submit your documents
A standard licence needs only a passport copy and photo per shareholder plus the application — done online. No local sponsor, no office lease, no attested personal papers.
- 4Receive your trade licence
The free zone issues your trade licence in about 3–8 working days.
- 5Apply for residence visas (optional)
For residency, apply for the establishment card, entry permit, medical and Emirates ID. Each visa takes roughly 5–7 working days and a first visa adds about AED 7,900 to the total.
- 6Open a corporate bank account
Open a UAE business account with your trade licence, incorporation documents and a resident signatory; approval usually takes 1–4 weeks.
- 7Register for tax and stay compliant
Register for UAE corporate tax (0% on profit up to AED 375,000, 9% above) and renew the licence annually. Personal income tax is 0%.
02 How much it costs to start a business in Dubai
All-in 2026 prices (licence + service + the residence-visa block where added). Dubai's free zones sit at the top of the mainstream range; the Northern Emirates are far cheaper for the same 100%-owned company.
| Free zone | Location | All-in (0 visas) |
|---|---|---|
| Meydan Free Zone | Dubai | AED 12,500 |
| IFZA | Dubai | AED 12,900 |
| DMCC | Dubai (premium) | AED 35,484 |
| Ajman NuVentures | Ajman (cheapest UAE) | AED 4,888 |
| RAKEZ | Ras Al Khaimah | AED 6,000 |
Adding a first residence visa raises the total by about AED 7,900. The cheapest all-in one-visa company in Dubai is around AED 17,615 (IFZA); across the UAE it's about AED 10,800 (Ajman). Build your exact all-in price →
03 What you get
- 100% foreign ownership — no local sponsor or Emirati partner required.
- 0% personal income tax; corporate tax is 0% up to AED 375,000 profit and 9% above.
- Residence visas for you, family and staff (2-year, renewable), sponsored by your company.
- Fast setup — trade licence in 3–8 working days, mostly remote.
- A real UAE corporate bank account once the licence and a resident signatory are in place.
See your real all-in Dubai cost
Pick your free zone and visas, get the true total in seconds, and start online — no sales call.
Open the cost calculator →Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a business in Dubai?
Dubai free-zone licences start at AED 12,500 all-in (Meydan) and AED 12,900 (IFZA); DMCC is AED 35,484. If you don't need a Dubai address, the same 100%-owned company costs from AED 4,888 (Ajman). A first residence visa adds AED 4,715–11,950 depending on the zone.
Can a foreigner start a business in Dubai?
Yes — UAE free zones allow 100% foreign ownership, and since 2021 most mainland activities do too. No local sponsor or Emirati partner is required.
How long does it take to set up a company in Dubai?
The trade licence is usually issued in 3–8 working days. Residence visas take about 5–7 working days each, and a corporate bank account typically takes 1–4 weeks.
Do I need a local sponsor?
No. Free-zone companies are 100% foreign-owned, and most mainland activities no longer require a local sponsor since the 2021 ownership reforms.
Do I need a physical office?
No — most free-zone packages include a flexi-desk or virtual-office allocation that meets the licensing requirement, so you don't need to rent separate premises.
Do I need to be in Dubai to register the company?
Not for the licence — most of the process is remote. You only visit the UAE for the visa medical and Emirates ID if you take a residence visa.
Set up clean — get the all-in cost in writing
Send your name and WhatsApp or email — we reply with the exact all-in figure for your setup, locked 14 days in writing. No calls, ever.