By Adil Ahmad, Business Setup Consultant at Gulf Corporate Services
Summary
Company registration in Dubai usually costs from about AED 12,500 for a zero-visa free zone licence and about AED 13,900 to 16,200 in government fees for a mainland licence. With one investor visa, most founders budget AED 18,000 to 22,000, before office rent. Premium zones such as DMCC and DIFC cost far more. This guide breaks down one-time fees, annual costs, visas, and hidden charges.
Company Registration Cost in Dubai at a Glance
|
Option |
Zero-visa cost (AED, indicative) |
With 1 visa (AED, indicative) |
Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Dubai mainland (DET) |
13,900 to 16,200 plus office |
About 18,750 to 21,050 plus office |
Trading across the UAE, government tenders |
|
Meydan Free Zone |
About 12,500 |
About 20,700 |
Low-cost digital setup with a Dubai address |
|
IFZA |
About 12,900 |
About 21,450 |
Flexible activities and multi-year discounts |
|
DMCC |
About 45,000+ |
Package based |
Commodities, crypto, premium address |
|
DIFC |
About 100,000+ |
Package based |
Regulated finance and holding structures |
|
Northern emirate free zones (SHAMS, SPC, RAKEZ) |
About 6,000 to 7,000 |
About 12,000 to 14,300 |
Tight budgets outside Dubai |
|
Offshore company |
About 5,000 to 15,000 |
No visas |
Holding assets, no UAE trading |
Figures are government and authority fees reported for 2026 by Avyanco, excluding professional fees. They change often, so always ask for an itemised quote.
Registration Cost vs License Cost vs Total Setup Cost
People often compare quotes that measure different things:
- Registration cost: one-time fees to create the company, such as trade name, initial approval, and MoA notarisation
- Licence cost: the annual trade licence fee you pay every year at renewal
- Total setup cost: registration, licence, office, establishment card, visas, medical, Emirates ID, and bank account
When a provider quotes “from AED 5,000”, it is usually only one of these. Compare the total first-year cost instead. For trade licence fees in detail, see our guide to the cost of a trade license in Dubai.
Mainland Company Registration Cost in Dubai
A mainland company is licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and can trade anywhere in the UAE.
|
Fee |
Indicative cost (AED) |
|---|---|
|
Trade name approval |
620 |
|
Initial approval |
120 |
|
Typing and service centre fees |
About 464 |
|
MoA drafting and notarisation |
1,200 to 1,500 |
|
Trade licence issuance |
11,500 to 13,500, by activity |
|
Zero-visa government total |
13,900 to 16,200 |
|
Establishment card |
About 750 |
|
Investor or partner visa |
About 4,100 each |
|
Employee visa including labour card |
About 7,000 to 8,000 each |
|
Office rent and Ejari |
Separate, often AED 12,000 to 40,000+ a year |
Source: July 2026. You can start the process through Invest in Dubai, the official business platform. For more detail, read our Dubai mainland company formation cost guide and our mainland company formation service.
Free Zone Company Registration Cost in Dubai
Free zones bundle the licence, registration documents, and a flexi-desk into packages. Visas are usually extra.
|
Free zone |
Zero-visa package (AED) |
1-visa package (AED) |
|---|---|---|
|
Meydan |
About 12,500 |
About 20,670 |
|
IFZA |
About 12,900 |
About 21,450 |
|
DMCC |
About 46,780 |
Package based |
|
DIFC |
About 104,000 |
About 108,500 |
Meydan and IFZA are the most popular budget options inside Dubai. DMCC and DIFC suit businesses that need their reputation, specific activities, or regulation. Compare zones in detail with our guides to IFZA, Meydan Free Zone, DMCC, and the cost of setting up in DIFC, or browse all options in free zone company setup.
Cheapest Company Registration in the UAE
If you do not need a Dubai address, northern emirate free zones are cheaper:
- RAKEZ: about AED 6,000 zero visa, AED 12,000 with one visa
- SHAMS: about AED 6,900 zero visa, AED 14,300 with one visa
- SPC Free Zone: about AED 6,900 zero visa, AED 14,300 with one visa
You can still live in Dubai with a visa from these zones, but you cannot trade on the Dubai mainland without a distributor or permit. See SHAMS Sharjah Media City, RAKEZ, and our guide on how to form a company in the UAE at a low cost.
Offshore Company Registration Cost
An offshore company, such as one registered with RAK ICC or JAFZA Offshore, is a holding vehicle. It cannot trade in the UAE or sponsor visas. Registration and first-year fees typically run from about AED 5,000 to 15,000, depending on the registry and registered agent. Read more about offshore company formation in Dubai.
Registration Cost for Founders From the US, UK and India
Most of our international clients pay the same government fees as UAE residents. What changes is the extra paperwork:
- Corporate shareholders need their incorporation documents legalised in their home country and attested in the UAE, which can add a few thousand dirhams
- Remote founders can usually complete free zone registration online and fly in only for visa medical and Emirates ID
- Bank accounts take longer for non-residents, so budget time as well as money
The UAE government’s free zones overview explains the general rules for foreign owners.
How Company Structure Affects Registration Cost
|
Legal form |
Who it suits |
Cost impact |
|---|---|---|
|
Sole establishment |
One individual owner |
Lowest mainland fees, unlimited personal liability |
|
Limited liability company (LLC) |
One or more shareholders |
Higher MoA and notarisation costs, limited liability |
|
Free zone FZE or FZCO |
One or many shareholders |
Fixed package price |
|
Branch of a foreign company |
Overseas parent |
Extra attestation and parent documents |
|
Civil company or professional licence |
Consultants and professionals |
Varies by activity and approvals |
Since the UAE’s commercial companies reforms, most mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, so you no longer need a local sponsor for most businesses. Some strategic activities still have restrictions or need approvals.
Hidden Costs of Registering a Company in Dubai
- Establishment card and immigration registration
- Medical tests and Emirates ID for each visa
- Office rent and Ejari for mainland companies
- External approvals for regulated activities, such as food, health, or education
- Document attestation for corporate shareholders
- Bank account opening and minimum balance requirements
- Accounting, VAT, and corporate tax registration
- Dependant visas for family
Read about the establishment card in the UAE and plan for these from day one.
Year 1 Budget Examples
|
Scenario |
Indicative first-year total (AED) |
|---|---|
|
Meydan or IFZA, zero visa |
12,500 to 15,000 |
|
Meydan or IFZA, 1 investor visa |
20,000 to 25,000 |
|
Dubai mainland LLC, 1 visa, small office |
35,000 to 70,000 |
|
Northern emirate free zone, 1 visa |
12,000 to 16,000 |
Use our business setup cost calculator to build a budget for your activity.
Annual Renewal Cost
- Mainland: licence renewal at a similar fee to the first year, plus office rent and Ejari
- Free zones: renewal close to the package price, often discounted for multi-year licences
- Visas: renewed every 2 years, with medical and Emirates ID fees
- Compliance: bookkeeping, corporate tax returns, and audits where required
How to Register a Company in Dubai: Step-by-Step
- Choose your activity and jurisdiction: mainland, free zone, or offshore.
- Pick your legal form.
- Reserve the trade name and get initial approval.
- Prepare and sign documents: MoA for mainland, or free zone incorporation documents.
- Arrange your office: Ejari tenancy for mainland, flexi-desk for most free zones.
- Pay fees and receive your trade licence.
- Apply for the establishment card and visas.
- Open a corporate bank account and register for tax.
Free zone licences often take 3 to 7 working days; mainland licences usually take 1 to 3 weeks. Our company registration in Dubai team manages every step.
Documents Required
- Passport copies and photos of all shareholders and managers
- UAE visa or entry stamp, if applicable
- Proof of address
- Business plan for some activities
- Attested corporate documents for corporate shareholders
- Tenancy contract for mainland companies
Corporate Tax and VAT After Registration
Every Dubai company must register for corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority. Mainland companies pay 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000. Free zone companies may get 0% on qualifying income if they meet the conditions. VAT registration is mandatory above AED 375,000 in taxable supplies. Our corporate tax team handles registration and filings.
How to Reduce Your Company Registration Cost
- Start with a zero-visa package if you already hold a UAE visa
- Choose a multi-year free zone licence for bigger discounts
- Pick only the activities you need
- Use a flexi-desk until you hire staff
- Compare total two-year costs, not first-year promotions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Comparing registration-only quotes with all-inclusive packages
- Choosing a free zone and then needing to trade on the mainland
- Forgetting establishment card and visa costs
- Picking the cheapest emirate when clients expect a Dubai address
- Ignoring corporate tax registration deadlines
Expert tip from Adil Ahmad: ask every provider for a quote split into government fees, professional fees, and optional extras. Once costs are itemised, the cheapest-looking package is often not the cheapest.
FAQs on Company Registration Cost in Dubai
How much does it cost to register a company in Dubai?
From about AED 12,500 in a Dubai free zone without visas, and AED 13,900 to 16,200 in government fees for a mainland licence, before office rent.
What is the cheapest way to register a company in Dubai?
A zero-visa package in Meydan or IFZA, or a northern emirate free zone if you do not need a Dubai address.
How much does an LLC licence cost in Dubai?
Mainland LLC government fees are about AED 13,900 to 16,200 without visas, plus office rent and visas.
How much does a free zone company cost in Dubai?
Usually about AED 12,500 to 21,500 with zero to one visa in budget zones, and much more in DMCC or DIFC.
Do I need a local sponsor in Dubai?
Not for most activities. 100% foreign ownership is allowed for most mainland businesses.
How long does company registration take in Dubai?
About 3 to 7 working days in most free zones, and 1 to 3 weeks on the mainland.
What is included in the company registration fee?
Usually the trade licence, registration documents, and, in free zones, a flexi-desk. Visas and office rent are often extra.
Can I register a company in Dubai from India, the US, or the UK?
Yes. Most free zones allow remote setup, and you only visit for visa medical and Emirates ID.
Register Your Dubai Company With Expert Help
Our team compares mainland, free zone, and offshore options and gives you a full itemised quote. We also offer full business setup in Dubai and business setup in Saudi Arabia, including the cost of setting up a business in Saudi Arabia. Speak with our business setup consultants for a free quote.
