Business Setup Cost Calculator Dubai
Get an instant, accurate cost estimate for your business setup in the UAE. Our free calculator helps you plan your investment across mainland, free zone, and offshore jurisdictions — with transparent pricing and no hidden surprises.
Calculate Your Business Setup Cost
Select your business type, jurisdiction, and requirements to get an instant estimate
What is your Business Activity?
Select the primary activity for your UAE company
How to Use the Business Setup Cost Calculator
Our business setup cost calculator Dubai makes it simple to estimate your investment. Follow these three easy steps to get your personalized cost breakdown in under 60 seconds.
Choose Your Business Activity
Select the primary activity for your UAE company — whether it's trading, consulting, manufacturing, e-commerce, or any of the 2,000+ approved activities. Your activity determines the license type and regulatory requirements.
Select Your Jurisdiction
Choose between Mainland, Free Zone, or Offshore setup. Each jurisdiction offers different benefits, costs, and operational flexibility for your business.
Get Your Instant Estimate
Receive a detailed cost breakdown including license fees, visa costs, office expenses, and government charges. Download a PDF summary or submit your application directly to our team for personalized guidance.
Dubai Company Formation Cost by Jurisdiction
Understanding the Dubai company formation cost across different jurisdictions helps you make an informed decision. Here's a detailed comparison of setup costs for 2026.
Mainland Company
- Trade license fee: AED 10,000 – 15,000
- DED registration & market fees
- Office lease (mandatory physical space)
- Local sponsor/agent fees (if applicable)
- Visa allocation based on office size
- Immigration establishment card
- Full UAE market access
- Government contract eligibility
Free Zone Company
- License package: AED 5,555 – 35,000
- Flexi-desk or office space included
- Visa allocations (often bundled)
- 100% foreign ownership guaranteed
- Tax exemptions (conditions apply)
- Fast processing (1-7 days)
- Customs duty benefits
- Industry-specific zones available
Offshore Company
- Registration fee: AED 8,000 – 20,000
- No physical office required
- No visa eligibility
- 100% foreign ownership
- Asset protection benefits
- International business operations
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Ideal for holding companies
What Affects Your Business Setup Cost in Dubai?
Several variables influence the total investment required for your business setup in Dubai. Understanding these factors helps you budget accurately and avoid unexpected expenses.
Jurisdiction Type
The choice between Mainland, Free Zone, or Offshore significantly impacts your setup cost. Free Zones like Ajman offer budget-friendly packages starting at AED 5,555, while premium zones like DMCC require higher investment.
Business Activity & License Type
Different activities require different licenses — commercial, professional, industrial, or tourism. Each license type has unique fee structures and regulatory requirements that affect overall costs.
Number of Visas Required
Each visa costs approximately AED 3,500 – 7,000 depending on the jurisdiction. The number of visas you need for shareholders, partners, and employees directly impacts your total setup cost.
Office Space Selection
Office requirements range from flexi-desks (AED 5,000) to dedicated offices (AED 25,000+). Mainland companies require physical offices, while many Free Zones include flexi-desk in their packages.
Corporate Bank Account
Bank account opening may require minimum balance deposits and additional documentation. Some banks charge setup fees, while others offer free account opening for new businesses.
Government Fees & Approvals
Additional government charges include trade name reservation, initial approval fees, MOA drafting, and sector-specific approvals for regulated activities like healthcare or education.
Number of Shareholders
More shareholders mean additional documentation, notarization costs, and potentially higher visa quotas. Each shareholder requires passport attestation and individual processing.
Professional Services & PRO
Business setup consultants, PRO services, legal documentation, and translation services add to the total cost but ensure smooth, compliant registration without delays or errors.
How to Reduce Your Business Setup Costs in Dubai
With over a decade of experience helping entrepreneurs launch businesses in the UAE, here are proven strategies to optimize your investment and reduce setup expenses.
Choose the Right Free Zone
Not all free zones are priced equally. Budget-friendly options like Ajman Free Zone (AED 5,555) and RAKEZ (AED 10,000) offer excellent value for startups and SMEs without compromising on quality or compliance.
Opt for Multi-Year Licenses
Many free zones offer significant discounts on 2-year or 3-year license packages. Paying upfront can save you 15-30% compared to annual renewals, reducing your long-term operational costs.
Start with Flexi-Desk
Begin with a flexi-desk or shared workspace instead of a dedicated office. Most free zones include this in their basic package, saving you AED 10,000-20,000 in annual office rental costs.
Work with Expert Consultants
Professional business setup consultants help you avoid costly mistakes, identify hidden fees, and negotiate better rates with free zones — often saving more than their consultation fee.
Prepare Documents in Advance
Having all documents ready — passport copies, business plans, bank references — prevents delays and additional charges for expedited processing or document resubmission.
Compare Multiple Options
Use our cost calculator to compare different jurisdictions, license types, and packages side by side. This helps you identify the most cost-effective option for your specific business needs.
Why Thousands of Entrepreneurs Trust Our Cost Calculator
Our business setup cost calculator Dubai is designed by industry experts with over 12 years of experience in UAE company formation. Here's why it's the most trusted tool for business planning.
Instant Results
Get your complete cost breakdown in under 60 seconds — no waiting, no callbacks, no obligations.
Transparent Pricing
See every cost component clearly — license fees, visa costs, office expenses, and government charges.
Updated for 2026
Our calculator reflects the latest government fees, free zone packages, and regulatory changes for 2026.
Download PDF Summary
Save your estimate as a PDF for presentations, business plans, or investor discussions.
Mobile Friendly
Use the calculator on any device — desktop, tablet, or smartphone — anytime, anywhere.
Expert Support
Get personalized guidance from our team after receiving your estimate — completely free of charge.
100% Secure
Your information is encrypted and never shared with third parties. Privacy guaranteed.
No Hidden Fees
What you see is what you get. Our estimates include all mandatory costs with no surprise charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about business setup costs in Dubai, answered by our experienced consultants.
Business setup costs in Dubai range from AED 5,750 to AED 50,000+ depending on the jurisdiction (Free Zone, Mainland, or Offshore), business activity, number of visas, and office requirements. Free Zone setups typically start from AED 12,500, Mainland from AED 18,500, and Offshore from AED 10,000. Use our calculator above for a personalized estimate.
Yes, the Bizinvestfirm Business Setup Cost Calculator is completely free to use. You can get instant estimates for any business type, jurisdiction, and visa requirement without any charges or obligations. Simply select your preferences and receive your detailed cost breakdown in under 60 seconds.
Key factors include: jurisdiction type (Free Zone, Mainland, or Offshore), business activity and license type, number of visas required, office space selection (flexi-desk, shared, or dedicated), government fees, number of shareholders, and any additional services like PRO services or bank account assistance.
Free Zone company setup is generally more affordable, starting from AED 5,555 (Ajman Free Zone) to AED 20,000 for premium zones. Mainland setup typically starts from AED 18,500 and may require additional costs for local sponsorship and larger office spaces. However, mainland offers full UAE market access which may justify the higher cost for certain businesses.
The calculator provides estimated costs based on current market rates and government fees for 2026. Final pricing may vary slightly based on specific business requirements, government fee changes, and additional services needed. For exact quotes, consult with our advisors who can provide a detailed, customized quotation.
Common overlooked costs include: trade name reservation fees, MOA drafting and notarization, immigration establishment card, medical fitness tests, Emirates ID processing, office Ejari registration, and annual renewal fees. Our calculator includes these costs to give you a comprehensive estimate.
Yes, both mainland and free zone companies can apply for investor visas, employee visas, and family visas. The number of visas depends on your office size — typically one visa per 9-12 square meters. Each visa costs approximately AED 3,500-7,000.
The most affordable options include Ajman Free Zone (starting AED 5,555), RAKEZ (starting AED 10,000), and IFZA (starting AED 11,900). These zones offer excellent value with 100% foreign ownership and comprehensive packages.
Mainland companies require a physical office registered through Ejari. Free zone companies can use flexi-desks or shared workspaces included in many packages. Offshore companies do not require any physical office space. Check our office space options for more details.
Free zone company setup typically takes 1-7 business days. Mainland registration takes 5-10 business days. Offshore companies can be established in 3-5 business days. The timeline depends on document readiness, business activity complexity, and government processing times.
Annual renewal costs typically range from AED 8,000 to AED 25,000 depending on your jurisdiction and package. This includes license renewal, office lease renewal, visa renewals, and any ongoing compliance requirements. Multi-year licenses can reduce annual costs by 15-30%.
Yes, corporate bank account opening is a critical post-registration step. Banks require your trade license, MOA, passport copies, and business plan. The process takes 2-6 weeks depending on the bank's compliance procedures. Our team can assist with bank account applications.
Ready to Start Your Business in Dubai?
Whether you've already calculated your costs or need personalized guidance, our expert team at Bizinvestfirm is ready to help you launch your business in the UAE. Get a free consultation, customized cost breakdown, and end-to-end support — from license application to visa processing and bank account opening.