December 25, 2025
How Much Does Business Setup In Dubai Cost?
That depends. What is your business activity? Free zone or mainland? How many visas or shareholders? From our experience with business setup in Dubai for over 80,000 entrepreneurs, we have created the Business Setup Cost Calculator to give you the answer.
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Expert advice ensures compliance with Corporate Tax and VAT obligations with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).
Expert advice ensures compliance with Corporate Tax and VAT obligations with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).
Expert advice ensures compliance with Corporate Tax and VAT obligations with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).
Expert advice ensures compliance with Corporate Tax and VAT obligations with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).
Expert advice ensures compliance with Corporate Tax and VAT obligations with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).
Expert advice ensures compliance with Corporate Tax and VAT obligations with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).
Expert advice ensures compliance with Corporate Tax and VAT obligations with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).
Expert advice ensures compliance with Corporate Tax and VAT obligations with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).
Should you undertake business setup in Dubai yourself?
Wondering if you can start a Dubai company yourself? You can. But there are some things you need to know.
1
There is a multitude of options.
With over 60 jurisdictions, how do you know which is the right one for your Dubai company? How do you make sure you’re choosing the right licence and business activity? Don’t let your business setup in Dubai be a trial-and-error process.
2
It is not easy.
Liaising with the relevant authorities and government departments alone takes time and travel miles. Lots of both.
3
There is a mountain of paperwork.
Starting a Dubai company involves tonnes of paperwork. Think forms, applications, banking and legal requirements – and that is just the start.
4
You might save money – but at what cost?
What is your time worth? Are you outstanding with detail? Can you afford to hit pause on your business plans to fill out forms or attend more meetings?
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Before you do anything, talk to one of our experts at company formation in Dubai. We’ll show you how easy the Virtuzone process is and why we’re the partner of choice for more entrepreneurs choosing to start a Dubai company.
Business setup in Dubai – the Virtuzone way.
Our time-tested process saves you time and money, while removing the headaches of beginning your journey. We know the game. We have the networks. We are the leaders in this space.
Since 2009, our company formation experts have helped more than 80,000 business owners and founders with business setup in Dubai. We’ve done the heavy lifting and helped them navigate a myriad of options, while they focus on their exciting new Dubai company. Our process saves you time and money, while removing the headaches of beginning your journey. Make sure you get set up the right way!
Find out why over 80,000 entrepreneurs have entrusted their business with us.
What setup option is best for your business?
Business setup in Dubai (or anywhere in the UAE) can be complicated. Decisions need to be made which can affect your journey and shape your success. Jurisdiction? Free zone or mainland?
Free Zones
- Retain 100% ownership of your Dubai company
- 0% corporate and income tax rate
- No custom duties
- Option to repatriate 100% of your capital and profits
Mainland
- Business activities not limited
- Operate anywhere inside and outside the country
- No limit on number of visa
The process of business setup in Dubai
With Virtuzone as your company formation partner, registering a company in the UAE is not only easy, but it’s the most cost-effective way to do it! In fact, the entire process can take as little as 24 hours! That’s right! All you have to do is supply us with the relevant information about your company and we do the rest. Here’s our time-tested process:
1. Prepare Documentation
If you’re an overseas entrepreneur starting up in a new country for the first time, the documentation process can be daunting. We help you to make the right decisions for your Dubai company and handle all of the complex paperwork.
2. Business Licence
Choosing the right licence and applying for it are essential to getting your business setup in Dubai right. Having an in-depth understanding of the dos and don’ts around setting up your business licence will help you to avoid the common traps we see people fall into. For instance, some business categories require prior approvals from certain authorities. A company formation expert will guide you through the necessary requirements to start your business.
3. Visa Process
Private companies can obtain new employment entry permits for their employees provided they apply for residence visa status within 30 days of the employee’s entry into the UAE.
4. Bank Account
Setting up a corporate bank account in the UAE can be a little arduous for international entrepreneurs. It requires careful consideration and there are several boxes to tick to ensure you have everything in place before approaching your bank of choice.
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Business Setup in Dubai Insights
Keep up with the latest UAE company formation insights with articles from our team of experts.
December 25, 2025
December 25, 2025
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Make sure you hire the best in the business for your business setup in Dubai. With Virtuzone, you will fast-track your path to business success.
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Anouar Sahnoun
23 July 2025
Thank you Harief give me great PRO service he assist me biomatris appointments and jafza freezone…
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Anouar Sahnoun
23 July 2025
Thank you Harief give me great PRO service he assist me biomatris appointments and jafza freezone…
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Anouar Sahnoun
23 July 2025
Thank you Harief give me great PRO service he assist me biomatris appointments and jafza freezone…
A
Anouar Sahnoun
23 July 2025
Thank you Harief give me great PRO service he assist me biomatris appointments and jafza freezone…
FAQs
Our team of experts fields common questions from people all over the globe about company formation in the UAE.
Why choose Dubai for starting a business?
So many reasons! Here’s a list of the most common ones:
- The UAE government actively promotes businesses as part of its long-term economic stability plan?
- Dubai offers a tax-friendly environment and competitive labor and financing costs.
- It has no foreign exchange controls, trade barriers, or quotas.
- Dubai is strategically placed for doing business, with easy access to 1.5 billion consumers in Africa, West Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
- Our world-class transport links also make it an easy place to attract business to.
- In terms of business setup, the process is straightforward and affordable.
- Dubai has a large pool of highly educated talent and world-class infrastructure, making it ideal for startups.
- Its high standard of living combined with unparalleled safety measures makes Dubai an alluring destination for global talent.
- Conducting market research in Dubai is simplified due to clear procedures and robust legal frameworks.
How does the economy of Dubai support new businesses?
Fortunately, Dubai’s economy was deliberately engineered to boost local business growth and innovation. Through the DED, the UAE government not only promotes entrepreneurship but also ensures economy insurance activities, offering incentives like low corporate taxes and easy business setups.
This focus earns the UAE a 16th placement in the global Ease of Doing Business Index. With a dynamic economy, Dubai magnetizes various industries and, thanks to its strategic location, offers access to extensive markets spanning East and West. The city’s free zones, including DWTC, JAFZA, and RAKEZ, amplify opportunities, while initiatives like Scale2Dubai provide funding for scaling ventures.
What are the steps to set up a business in Dubai?
From a high level, to start a business in Dubai, you’ll want to follow these steps:
- Business Idea: Define your business idea and target market.
- Business Plan: Draft a comprehensive plan detailing objectives, market analysis, and financial projections.
- Legal Structure: Decide between Free Zone, Mainland, or Offshore company structures.
- Trade Name: Pick a name compliant with the Department of Economic Development (DED) regulations.
- Business License: Depending on your activities, apply for a commercial, professional, or industrial license.
- Documentation: Submit required documents like passport, visa, and a No Objection Certificate (for expats) to the relevant authorities.
- Office Space: Secure a physical address, essential for registration.
- Corporate Bank Account: After getting your license, choose a bank that aligns with your business needs and open an account.
- Visas: If hiring, process employee visas. The number is often determined by office size and license type.
- Operational Setup: With administrative tasks done, set up operations and embark on your business journey.
Note: Requirements might vary based on your specific new business setup, so make sure you thoroughly research the next steps for your chosen structure.
How can I determine the best location for my business in Dubai?
Selecting the best business location will require that you consider a myriad of options. We strongly recommend that you engage the services of business setup consultants for these nuanced decisions, however, broadly speaking, you will want to understand:
- Nature of Business: Your business type influences the right location choices; for example, tech businesses often prefer free zones like Dubai Internet City.
- Target Market: Choose a location easily accessible to your primary customers.
- Infrastructure Needs: If international shipping is crucial, being near ports like Jebel Ali Port is advantageous.
- Budget: Rent and operational costs differ across areas, impacting your choice.
Legal Requirements: Specific business activities are zone-restricted, influencing the right business location.