Business Setup

If you’re thinking of launching a company in the UAE, the first question you’re likely asking is: how much will it cost? The answer depends on several factors, like the jurisdiction you choose (mainland vs free zone vs offshore), the type of license, the number of visas you need, office requirements, and the nature of your business. But we can break down typical cost ranges based on what most entrepreneurs pay.

Typical Cost Ranges- Mainland, Free Zone, Offshore

Here’s a rough ballpark depending on the structure you pick:

NOTE: The cost may be subject to change depending on the nature of the business and the business setup consultants you choose. Gulf Central can make your business setup hassle-free, saving you time and money.

Cost for Setting up a Mainland Company

Setting up a mainland company in Dubai gives you full access to the UAE market, but the costs are higher than a free zone setup. Your main expenses start with the trade license: commercial licenses usually sit around AED 10,000 a year, with one-time fees for approvals, name reservation, Tasheel, and MOA notarization pushing the initial outlay higher. Professional licenses are cheaper, usually around AED 5,600 yearly, with lighter notarization costs. If your company name isn’t in Arabic, expect an extra AED 2,000 foreign-name charge. On top of that, mainland companies must lease an office. Even a small space typically runs AED 15,000–25,000 a year, plus a small Ejari fee.

You’ll also need to factor in visa expenses, roughly AED 4,000 to 5,000 for an investor visa and AED 5,000 to 7,000 for each employee. Bank accounts are free to open, but most banks require a minimum balance between AED 25,000 and AED 50,000. And unless you want to navigate government portals on your own, you’ll likely hire a PRO or setup consultant, which adds another AED 5,000–10,000 depending on how comprehensive the support is.

Cost for Setting up a Free Zone Company

Starting a business in a Dubai free zone is often the most cost-friendly way to get started, especially if you want a simple setup with fewer restrictions and no need for a full office. License fees vary by free zone and business activity, which is why overall pricing can look quite different from one authority to another. You’ll also need a registered address, but you can choose anything from a flexi-desk to a private office. Flexi-desks usually fall between AED 5,000 and 15,000 a year, making them ideal for startups. Private offices cost more, ranging anywhere from AED 25,000 to 100,000+, depending on size and location.

Visa expenses also play a role in your total cost, especially if you plan to hire. Investor visas usually run between AED 3,500 and 6,000, while employee visas land somewhere between AED 4,000 and 7,000 each. Free zones also charge one-time administrative and registration fees, often in the AED 3,000 to 5,000 range, and banks require a minimum balance that can fall anywhere between AED 5,000 and 50,000, depending on who you open with. When you add everything together, most Dubai free zone setups fall somewhere between AED 10,000 and 30,000 in the first year, depending on your chosen free zone, license type, visa needs, and office setup.

Cost for Setting up an Offshore Company

An offshore company is the simplest and most cost-effective way to establish a UAE presence if you don’t need a physical office or local operations. It’s a popular choice for investors who want to hold assets, open a business bank account, or run international activities without the overhead of visas, office rent, or local sponsorship. Offshore structures allow full foreign ownership, require minimal paperwork, and come with low annual maintenance fees, which is why many entrepreneurs use them purely as holding or investment vehicles. In most cases, the full setup cost falls between AED 12,000 and 25,000, depending on the jurisdiction and any additional services you choose.

What This Means for Entrepreneurs 

Setting up a business in the UAE remains one of the most accessible and flexible options globally. You don’t need a huge upfront budget. For many freelancers, consultants, e-commerce founders, or small-scale service providers, a Free Zone or Offshore structure can work well for as little as AED 10,000 to 15,000 upfront.

But if your ambition is to operate fully in the UAE market, hire staff, or scale, expect to invest AED 20,000 to 60,000+ in the first year, depending on your needs.

Why Partner with Gulf Central 

Even though you can find ballpark numbers online, every business is unique. The real cost depends on your activity type, visa needs, legal structure, and even whether you plan to hire.

At Gulf Central, we help founders cut through the complexity: from license and jurisdiction selection to visa, office, bank account, and compliance support. Ultimately, that ensures you avoid surprises and launch your business correctly.