Business Setup in Dubai
Expert Company Formation Consultants in Dubai
Set up your business in Dubai free zones, offshore or the mainland with 100% foreign ownership and flexible office solutions.
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Benefits of Business Setup in Dubai
Dubai gives entrepreneurs and investors access to one of the most competitive business environments in the world. The UAE government has removed the local sponsor requirement allowing foreigners to own 100% of a mainland or free zone company.
Combined with zero personal income tax, strong infrastructure, and a location that connects businesses to over 50 million consumers across the UAE and GCC, Dubai consistently ranks among the top destinations for company formation.
Our business setup consultants in Dubai help investors and entrepreneurs identify the right jurisdiction, structure, and license for their business activity, and manage the entire formation process from start to finish.
- 100% foreign ownership across most business activities
- 0% personal income tax
- Zero corporate tax for qualifying free zone companies
- 9% mainland corporate tax rate, well below the global average
- Full profit and capital repatriation with no currency restrictions
- 10-year Golden Visa for qualifying investors and business owners
- Double taxation treaties with 40+ countries
- Free zone company registration in as little as 24 to 48 hours
Business Setup Packages in Dubai
1 YearPackage
- 5 Activities (Mix-Match
- Commercial & Services) Multiple Shareholders (Up-to 5)
- Free digital banking Services
3 YearPackage
- 5 Activities (Mix-Match
- Commercial & Services) Multiple Shareholders (Up-to 5)
- Free digital banking Services
Innovators Business Setup Package One Visa
1 YearPackage
- 1 visa fees included
- E-channel Registration and Renewal Included
- Pre-approval fee included
- Establishment Card included
- 5 Activities (General Trading + Mix-Match Standard Commercial & Services)
- Multiple Shareholders (Up-to 5)
- Status Change included
2 YearPackage
- 1 visa fees included
- E-channel Registration and Renewal Included
- Pre-approval fee included
- Establishment Card included
- 5 Activities (General Trading + Mix-Match Standard Commercial & Services)
- Multiple Shareholders (Up-to 5)
- Status Change included
Innovators Business Setup Package Two Visa
1 YearPackage
- 2 visa fees included
- E-channel Registration and Renewal Included
- Pre-approval fee included
- Establishment Card included
- 5 Activities (General Trading + Mix-Match Standard Commercial & Services)
- Multiple Shareholders (Up-to 5)
- Status Change included
Medical can be done outside and not included
2 YearPackage
- 2 visa fees included
- E-channel Registration and Renewal Included
- Pre-approval fee included
- Establishment Card included
- 5 Activities (General Trading + Mix-Match Standard Commercial & Services)
- Multiple Shareholders (Up-to 5)
- Status Change included
Female Innovators Package
| Package Price | Visa Quota |
|---|---|
| 5,500 | 0 |
| 7,000 | 1 |
| 8,000 | 2 |
| 9,000 | 3 |
| 12,500 | 4 |
| 13,500 | 5 |
| 14,500 | 6 |
- Offer Mixing of Commercial & Services (Standard) segments under one trade license along with General Trading (Special) starting from 5500 AED onwards.
- This package will not be applicable for Special Commercial & Services Segments other than General Trading.
- This promotion is applicable for new customers only.
- Only applicable for women entrepreneurs & appointment of the manager can be of any gender.
- Maximum of 5 activities will be allowed and adding new activity will not be permissible. In case clients wish to opt for more activities, the existing Dual/special license fee shall apply.
- Existing clients cannot migrate to this offer.
Popular Activities for Business Setup in Dubai
Dubai allows over 2,000 business activities across mainland and free zone jurisdictions. Our business setup consultants in Dubai can advise on the right license and jurisdiction for your specific business. These are the most popular business activities in Dubai:
- General Trading: A general trading license lets you buy and sell a wide range of goods across local and international markets under a single license, without being restricted to one product category. General trading licenses are available on both the mainland and in free zones.
- E-Commerce: An e-commerce license lets you sell products and services online to customers in the UAE and internationally. Free zones like Dubai CommerCity and IFZA are popular for e-commerce businesses. If a business sells directly to customers in the UAE, it needs a mainland license to avoid paying customs duties on goods entering the local market.
- Real Estate Brokerage: Setting up a real estate brokerage in Dubai requires a commercial license and registration with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) under the Dubai Land Department. Mainland setup is mandatory for businesses handling property transactions within Dubai, as free zone companies cannot operate directly in the local market without a mainland presence.
- IT & Technology Services: A professional license covers most IT service activities, and allows businesses to provide software development, cloud solutions, and tech consulting in a purpose-built innovation ecosystem. This is a popular free zone activity.
- Import & Export: Dubai’s position as a global logistics hub makes it a cost-effective location for import and export businesses. Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) is the main free zone for trading and logistics companies, offering direct access to Jebel Ali Port, the largest port in the Middle East.
- Marketing & Advertising: A marketing and advertising license covers branding, digital marketing, media buying, PR, and creative services. A professional license covers most service-based marketing activities.
- Food & Beverage: Setting up a restaurant, café, or food production business in Dubai requires a commercial license alongside approvals from Dubai Municipality, including food safety and hygiene certifications aligned with HACCP standards.
- Management Consultancy: A management consultancy license allows businesses to offer strategic advisory, business planning, and operational consulting services to clients in the UAE and internationally. A professional license issued by DET or a free zone authority covers this activity.
- Healthcare & Medical Services: Healthcare businesses in Dubai are regulated by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), which issues licenses for clinics, diagnostic centres, pharmacies, and wellness facilities separately from the trade license.
- Freelance and Professional Services: Dubai offers a dedicated freelance permit for individuals offering professional services independently, without the need to form a company. The permit allows individuals to work legally in the UAE, invoice clients, and apply for a residence visa.
Not seeing your activity? Our company formation consultants in Dubai can advise on licensing requirements and the right jurisdiction for over 2,000 approved business activities in the UAE.
Dubai Free Zones Vs Mainland Vs Offshore: Which is Better?
Business setup in Dubai gives investors and entrepreneurs three jurisdiction options: free zone, mainland, and offshore. Each jurisdiction has its own benefits, application requirements, regulatory authority, and costs.
Our business setup consultants in Dubai assess your business activity and budget to recommend the best structure for your company.
Free Zone Company Setup in Dubai
Free zones are regulated by their own independent authorities, separate from the Department of Economy and Tourism. Dubai has over 30 free zones, each offering 100% foreign ownership, zero personal income tax, and corporate tax exemptions for qualifying businesses.
Free zone companies can trade freely with international markets and other free zones and sell directly with the UAE mainland with a special permit. Free zones offer flexi-desk, virtual offices, and dedicated office space options. Certain free zone licenses can be processed within 24 hours, but generally licenses can take up to 2 weeks to be issued.
Popular free zones in Dubai include:
- Meydan Free Zone
- IFZA (International Free Zone Authority)
- JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone)
- Dubai International Financial Center
- DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Trading)
- Dubai South
Mainland Company Setup in Dubai
Mainland businesses are licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism and can operate anywhere in the UAE without restriction. They can sell directly to UAE consumers, bid for government contracts, and open branches anywhere in the country.
Mainland companies pay 9% Corporate Tax on taxable profits above AED 375,000, one of the lowest rates among major global business hubs. Businesses generating revenue below this threshold pay no corporate tax. A physical office address is mandatory to obtain and maintain a mainland trade license. Processing times for a mainland license is usually between 2-3 weeks.
Offshore Company Formation in Dubai
Offshore companies are legal entities registered in the UAE but not permitted to conduct business within the UAE market. They are mainly used for holding assets, owning intellectual property, managing international trade flows, and structuring cross-border investments.
Offshore companies pay no corporate tax and are not required to maintain a physical office in the UAE. JAFZA Offshore, regulated by Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority, is the only offshore jurisdiction in Dubai.
Free Zone vs Mainland vs Offshore: Key Differences
Feature | Free Zone | Mainland | Offshore |
Foreign ownership | 100% | 100% | 100% |
UAE market access | Via distributor only | Unrestricted | Not permitted |
Corporate tax | 0% for qualifying businesses | 9% above AED 375,000 threshold | 0% |
Personal income tax | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Office requirement | Flexi-desk or virtual available | Physical office mandatory | No office required |
Visa eligibility | Limited quota | No fixed quota | No UAE residence visa |
Setup timeline | 1 day to 2 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks |
Best suited to | International businesses, startups, exporters | Businesses serving UAE market, retail, F&B, service firms | Holding structures, asset protection, international trading |
How to Set Up a Business in Dubai: Step-by-Step Process
Setting up a business in Dubai involves five steps: choosing a jurisdiction, reserving a trade name, obtaining a trade license, applying for visas, and opening a corporate bank account. Free zone companies complete this process in one to two weeks. Mainland company setup takes two to four weeks. Offshore company formation takes one to two weeks.
SRTIP Accounting assists investors and entrepreneurs with every stage of the business setup process in Dubai, from initial jurisdiction selection through to corporate bank account opening.
- Choose a jurisdiction: Dubai offers three jurisdiction types for company formation: free zone, mainland, and offshore. The right jurisdiction depends on your business activity, target market, visa requirements, and budget. Our business setup consultants in Dubai assess all four factors before recommending a structure.
- Reserve a trade name: SRTIP Accelerator checks availability and handles trade name reservation with the Department of Economy and Tourism or the relevant free zone authority on your behalf. Reservation takes one to three working days.
- Apply for a trade license: We prepare and submit your full license application, liaising with the issuing authority directly. Free zone licenses are issued within 1 to 5 working days. Mainland licenses take up to 14 working days.
- Apply for visa: Our team manages your visa processing, covering entry permits, status change, Emirates ID registration, and visa stamping. Investors committing a minimum of AED 2 million in qualifying UAE assets may be eligible for the 10-year UAE Golden Visa.
- Open a business bank account: Our relationships with local banks help us match you to the right bank and prepare all the application documentation to open a corporate bank account.
Trade Name Checker
Entrepreneurs interested in a business setup in Dubai can use our trade name checker to find available trade names in Dubai. The Department of Economy and Tourism manages the database of trade names.
Legal Structures for Business Setup in Dubai
Your legal structure determines who owns the business, how liability is shared, and how many shareholders can be involved. SRTIP Accelerator’s company formation consultants in Dubai can advise you on the right structure for your business.
- Free Zone Establishment (FZE): An FZE is a free zone company with a single shareholder. That shareholder can be an individual or another company. You get 100% foreign ownership and limited liability, so your personal assets stay protected.
- Free Zone Company (FZCO): An FZCO works the same way as an FZE but allows two or more shareholders. Shareholders can be individuals, companies, or a mix of both. This is preferred by partnerships and joint ventures that want to operate within a Dubai free zone.
- LLC (Limited Liability Company): The LLC is the standard structure for mainland business setup in Dubai. It can be formed by a single shareholder or up to 50 shareholders, all with limited liability protection. LLCs are licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism and can operate across the UAE without any market access restrictions.
- Sole Establishment: A sole establishment is owned by one individual who carries unlimited personal liability for everything the business owes. Unlike an LLC, there is no legal separation between your personal assets and the company’s liabilities
- Branch Company: A branch office lets an existing company, foreign or local, extend its operations into Dubai without forming a separate legal entity. The branch operates under the parent company’s name and within its approved scope of activities. The parent company carries full liability for the branch’s operations.
- Civil Company: A Civil Company is a professional partnership for licensed practitioners like doctors, engineers, lawyers, consultants. All partners must hold the relevant professional qualification, and the structure requires at least two partners.
- Offshore Company: An offshore company is registered in the UAE but cannot conduct business inside the UAE market. The two main options are JAFZA Offshore and RAK ICC.Offshore companies work well for holding assets, owning intellectual property, managing international trade flows, and structuring cross-border investments.
- Holding Company: A holding company owns shares in other businesses, holds assets, or manages investments. In Dubai, it can be structured as a mainland LLC, a free zone entity, or an offshore company depending on what it needs to hold.
Cost of Business Setup in Dubai
The cost of setting up a business in Dubai depends on four factors: your jurisdiction, your license type, the number of visas you need, and your office requirements. SRTIP Accelerator provides a full cost breakdown before any application is submitted so you know exactly what you are paying for.
Dubai Free Zone Setup Costs
Free zone business setup in Dubai starts from AED 12,500 for a license-only package with no visa. A free zone business can cost between AED 15,000 to AED 40,000 to set up. The cost includes:
- Trade license fee: AED 12,500 to AED 15,000 depending on the free zone and activity
- Investor visa: AED 3,000 to AED 7,000 per visa including all government fees
- Office or flexi-desk: included in most entry-level packages
- Establishment card registration: included in visa packages
Dubai Mainland Setup Costs
Mainland company setup in Dubai typically starts from AED 15,000 to AED 25,000 for a commercial or professional license. Costs include:
- Trade license fee: AED 10,000 to AED 20,000 depending on the business activity
- DET registration and initial approval fees: AED 1,000 to AED 3,000
- Office lease: mandatory for mainland companies, cost varies by location and size
- Investor visa: AED 4,000 to AED 6,000 per visa including all government fees
Our cost calculator provides an instant, accurate estimate of your business setup in Dubai costs. Just enter some information about your activity, number of visas, and number of shareholders and find your total cost.
Documents Required to Start a Business in Dubai
The documents required to set up a business in Dubai vary depending on whether you are forming a free zone company or a mainland company. In most cases, you will need passport copies, company incorporation documents, financial statements, proof of office address, and a business plan.
Business setup in Dubai requires the following documents:
- Trade name reservation
- Initial approval certificate
- Passport copy and photo of owners and shareholders
- Company incorporation documents (Memorandum of Association, Board Resolution)
- Financial statements of owners and shareholders
- Office address
- Business plan
Work With Expert Company Formation Consultants in Dubai
SRTIP has over a decade of experience helping entrepreneurs start businesses in the UAE. We manage the entire process of business setup in Dubai, starting with recommending the best jurisdiction for your business, trademark registration, applying for a license, visa services, and opening a bank account.
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