Incorporate Cost
UAE business setup packages
Juriszone offers the best business setup packages in the UAE to ensure a successful entry into the market.
Mainland
Businesses seeking full market access and local operations
Price Starts From
AED 18,500
- Varies based on license type and activities
- With Visa
Free Zone
Businesses focused on import/export and specific industries
Price Starts From
AED 5,500
- Varies based on license type and activities
- With Visa
Offshore
Set Up Your International Business and Secure Your Assets
Price Starts From
AED 9,000
- Yearly renewal starts at AED 9,000
Comparing Table
UAE Business Setup Pricing Package To Launch Your Business In The UAE
Find out which jurisdiction best suits your needs and business activities.
Includes
- Company Registration
- License Application
- Trade Name Reservation
- Initial Approval
- Local Sponsor Arrangement
- Visa Eligibility & Processing
- Market Fee
- Office Space Assistance
- Bank Account Opening Assistance
- Dedicated Account Manager
Mainland
Freezone
Offshore
| Includes | Mainland | Freezone | Offshore |
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| Local Sponsor Arrangement | |
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| Visa Eligibility & Processing | |
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| Market Fee | |
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| Office Space Assistance | |
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| Bank Account Opening Assistance | |
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We closely work with all government authorities in the UAE
We Can Help Establish Your Business In Dubai In The Blink Of An Eye.
What Affects UAE Business Setup Costs in 2026
UAE business setup costs vary because no two companies are registered under the same conditions. The total cost of forming a company in the UAE depends on the jurisdiction, business activity, license type, office requirement, and number of residence visas.
Understanding these factors upfront helps you estimate your investment accurately and avoid unexpected costs during setup or renewal.
1. Jurisdiction and Company Structure
- Mainland companies allow unrestricted UAE market access but require a physical office and higher government fees.
- Free Zone companies offer bundled license and visa packages, making them more affordable for startups and SMEs.
- Offshore companies are used for international holdings and asset protection, with no visas or office requirements.
Each authority – such as DMCC, IFZA, ADGM, RAKEZ, or JAFZA – sets its own setup and renewal fees.
2. License Type and Business Activity
License category directly affects both setup and annual renewal costs.
- Professional licenses (consulting, IT, marketing) are the lowest cost.
- Commercial and trading licenses are more expensive due to wider permissions.
- Regulated activities (finance, healthcare, education, food trading) require external approvals, increasing cost and timelines.
License fees are renewed annually, not paid once.
3. Office or Workspace Requirements
Every UAE company must have a registered business address.
- Mainland companies must lease a physical office approved by the municipality.
- Free Zones offer flexi-desks and shared offices at lower entry costs.
- Office size often determines how many visas a company can obtain.
4. Number of Residence Visas
Each UAE residence visa costs approximately AED 3,000-7,000, including immigration processing, medical testing, and Emirates ID issuance.
Adding more visas increases both initial setup costs and yearly renewals.
5. Ongoing Renewals and Compliance Costs
Beyond initial registration, businesses must budget for recurring compliance expenses to remain active.
These include:
- Annual license renewals
- Visa and Emirates ID renewals
- Free Zone authority or chamber memberships
- Accounting and audit requirements (mandatory in most Free Zones)
6. Typical UAE Business Setup Cost Benchmarks (2026)
- Small Free Zone package (1 visa): from AED 5,500
- Mainland company with office and visas: from AED 18,500
- Premium Free Zones (DMCC, ADGM): from AED 9,000+
Actual costs vary by emirate, authority, and activity type.
Major Cost Components of UAE Company Formation
Every UAE company setup includes mandatory government charges and optional operational costs.
| Category | Typical Cost (AED) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| License & Registration | 5,000 – 20,000 | Government fees and approvals |
| Office / Workspace | 10,000 – 30,000 | Mandatory for Mainland |
| Visa Fees | 3,000 – 7,000 per visa | Medical & Emirates ID |
| Local Sponsorship | 5,000 – 10,000 | Mainland service agent |
| Bank Account Setup | 1,000 – 3,000 | Documentation support |
| Renewal Costs | 5,000 – 20,000 / year | Annual compliance |
Cost Comparison – Mainland vs Free Zone (2026)
Mainland and Free Zone setups differ significantly in cost, speed, and market access.
| Feature | Mainland | Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Cost | AED 18,500+ | AED 5,500+ |
| Office Requirement | Mandatory | Optional |
| Visa Quota | Higher | Limited |
| Annual Renewal | AED 10k – 25k | AED 5k – 15k |
| Setup Time | 2 – 4 weeks | 1 – 3 days |
| Market Access | Full UAE | Zone & export |
Mainland companies suit businesses targeting the local UAE market, while Free Zones favor faster, lower-cost setups.
Annual Renewal Costs to Budget
License renewals happen every 12 months at 70-100% of initial fees. A AED 15,000 license costs AED 12,000 to AED 15,000 for renewal. Late renewal penalties reach AED 200 per day in Dubai, AED 150 in Abu Dhabi. After 60 days, authorities may cancel licenses entirely.
- License renewal: AED 5,000 – 20,000 per year
- Visa renewal: AED 3,000 – 6,000 per person
- Office renewal: AED 10,000 – 30,000, with possible rent increases
- Accounting & audit: AED 2,000 – 8,000 annually
- Bank maintenance: AED 5,000 – 50,000 minimum balance
**Renew licenses early to avoid AED 200 per day penalties.
Real Business Cost Examples
- Solo Consultant: IFZA professional license at AED 7,500, one visa at AED 3,500, health insurance at AED 1,200, and basic services totaling AED 18,870 first year. Annual costs drop to AED 12,500.
- E-commerce Startup: RAKEZ trading license at AED 6,500, shared office at AED 15,000, three visas at AED 10,500, customs registration at AED 3,500, totaling AED 42,500 before inventory. Annual renewal costs AED 37,000.
- Mainland Trading: Dubai DED commercial license at AED 18,000, Deira office at AED 42,000 annually, service agent at AED 8,000, two visas at AED 7,000, totaling AED 111,620 first year. This structure enables government contract bidding.
- Offshore Holding: RAK ICC registration at AED 9,000, registered agent at AED 3,500, nominee services at AED 5,000, totaling AED 30,000. No visas permitted. Annual maintenance drops to AED 17,500.
Cost-Saving Tips for UAE Company Formation
- Choose multi-year license packages to save up to 30%
- Start with flexi-desk offices
- Add visas only when needed
- Bundle license, visa, and PRO services
- Renew early to avoid fines
With proper planning, businesses can reduce first-year costs by 10 – 25%.
We closely work with all government authorities in the UAE
Use our free Business Setup Cost Calculator for a tailored estimate based on your activity, jurisdiction, and visa needs
FAQs – UAE Business Setup Cost 2026
From AED 5,500 for a Free Zone license without visas. RAKEZ and Ajman Free Zone offer the most affordable entry packages. This includes the trade license and registered business address. Adding one visa increases the cost to AED 8,500-10,000 total.
Typically AED 18,500 to AED 60,000+ depending on office location and visa quantity. The trade license costs AED 15,000-20,000, office lease runs AED 30,000-60,000 annually, service agent fees add AED 5,000-10,000, and each visa costs AED 3,000-7,000. Dubai costs more than Sharjah or Ajman.
Yes, usually 40-50% less than Mainland and no sponsor required. Free Zones bundle licenses with workspace starting at AED 5,500. Mainland requires physical offices, local service agents, and separate government fees. Free Zone companies get faster approvals in 1-3 days versus 2-4 weeks.
Around AED 5,000 to AED 20,000 per year depending on jurisdiction and license type. Free Zone renewals cost AED 5,000-15,000, while Mainland renewals run AED 10,000-25,000. Add visa renewal costs at AED 3,000-7,000 per person every 2-3 years.
None when you work with transparent providers. Juriszone lists every charge upfront including license fees, visa costs, office expenses, government approvals, and annual renewals. Watch for providers who advertise low base prices but add surprise charges later.
We Can Help Establish Your Business In Dubai In The Blink Of An Eye.We Can Help Establish Your Business in the UAE – Fast and Cost-Effectively
Our consultants have helped hundreds of founders register UAE companies efficiently, saving time and avoiding unnecessary costs.