The honest answer: a Dubai company starts from about AED 10,800 (~$2,940) including one visa — but the real number depends on jurisdiction, visas, and a few add-ons most providers don't mention upfront.
On this page
The headline numbers
- Offshore — from AED 5,500 (~$1,500). Holding & international trade, no visa.
- Free Zone — from AED 10,800 (~$2,940), including one investor visa. Most popular.
- Mainland — from AED 22,000 (~$5,990), including one investor visa.
Want a number tailored to your plan? Our cost calculator builds an itemised estimate live — no email required.
What should be included
- Trade name reservation and government approvals
- Trade licence issuance
- One investor visa and Emirates ID (Free Zone / Mainland)
- A flexi-desk or office address
- Bank account introduction
The costs providers hide
Three line items cause most 'surprise' invoices: establishment card and immigration fees, medical test and Emirates ID, and per-visa charges when you add staff. A fair quote breaks all of these out at cost before you pay anything.
Ongoing costs to budget for
Beyond setup, plan for annual licence renewal, visa renewals (every 2 years), bookkeeping (from ~AED 1,200/mo), and — if applicable — VAT and the 9% corporate tax. We bundle these under one team so they don't become a scramble.
Get an exact, written quote for your setup on WhatsApp — fees broken out at cost, no obligation.
Written and fact-checked by CompanyForm's in-house formation specialists — the same team that files trade licences, arranges bank introductions, and handles tax and visas for founders setting up in the UAE.
About our team