Last updated: 2026-07-25
The company setup cost in Dubai ranges from AED 12,500 for a single-visa free zone package to AED 28,000+ for a fully licensed mainland LLC with one investor visa. Government fees account for roughly 65% of the total, with a DED mainland trade licence starting at AED 13,000 in 2026. DBS Group, serving 80,000+ entrepreneurs since 2009, verified every figure in this guide against DED and FTA published tariffs (2026).
This guide breaks down every dirham you will spend — licence, visas, office, banking and compliance — across mainland, free zone and offshore structures. If you are still weighing structures, our full company setup cost in Dubai comparison of mainland versus free zone explains which route fits your activity before you commit a single fee.
The 7 Real Cost Components of a Dubai Company in 2026
Every Dubai company — regardless of jurisdiction — pays across the same seven cost heads. Knowing them upfront prevents the budget overruns that hit 4 in 10 first-time founders (DBS client data, 2025).
1. Initial approval and trade name — AED 735
DED initial approval costs AED 120 and trade name reservation costs AED 620 for a standard Latin-script name (DED tariff, 2026). Foreign or premium names carry a AED 2,000 surcharge.
2. Trade licence fee — AED 9,000 to AED 15,000
A mainland commercial licence averages AED 13,000 including market fees in 2026; a professional licence starts at AED 9,000. Free zone licences are bundled into package pricing. See our Dubai trade licence guide for activity-specific tariffs.
3. Office or Ejari — AED 220 to AED 40,000
Ejari registration costs AED 220 (RERA tariff, 2026). A physical mainland office starts at AED 15,000 per year in Deira; free zone flexi-desks are included in most packages.
4. Establishment card — AED 750
The immigration establishment card, mandatory before any visa, costs AED 750 and renews annually (GDRFA, 2026).
5. Visas — AED 4,500 to AED 6,500 per person
An investor visa costs AED 4,500–6,500 all-in for 2 years including medical, Emirates ID and stamping (ICP/GDRFA tariffs, 2026).
6. Bank account — AED 0 to AED 3,000
UAE banks charge no opening fee but require minimum balances from AED 25,000 (Emirates NBD E20, 2026). Our Dubai business bank account guide lists approval requirements bank by bank.
7. Compliance registrations — AED 0 to AED 1,500
Corporate tax registration with the FTA is free; VAT registration is free above the AED 375,000 mandatory threshold (FTA VAT rules). Late corporate tax registration carries a AED 10,000 penalty (FTA, Cabinet Decision No. 75 of 2023).
Need help with this step? WhatsApp DBS at +971 54 332 2846 →
Mainland LLC Cost Breakdown 2026
A mainland LLC gives you 100% foreign ownership under Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 and unrestricted UAE market access. Here is the complete first-year bill for a single-shareholder commercial LLC with one investor visa:
| Activity | Government Fee | DBS Service | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial approval + trade name | AED 735 | Included | AED 735 | Standard name; premium names +AED 2,000 |
| Commercial trade licence | AED 13,000 | Included | AED 13,000 | Includes Dubai Chamber + market fees (2026) |
| MOA notarisation | AED 1,200 | Included | AED 1,200 | Notary public, single shareholder |
| Ejari (shared workspace) | AED 220 | From AED 2,500 | AED 2,720 | Physical office instead: from AED 15,000/yr |
| Establishment card | AED 750 | Included | AED 750 | GDRFA, annual renewal |
| Investor visa (2-yr) | AED 5,500 | Included | AED 5,500 | Medical + Emirates ID + stamping |
| DBS professional fee | — | WhatsApp for quote | — | Fixed fee, no hidden charges |
| First-year total | AED 21,405 | — | from AED 23,905 | Excludes bank minimum balance |
Renewal in year two drops to AED 14,500 because approval, notarisation and visa costs fall away (DED renewal tariff, 2026).
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Free Zone and Offshore Costs in 2026
Free zone packages bundle licence, flexi-desk and establishment card into one price. Of 80,000+ setups DBS has processed, 57% of 2025 clients chose a free zone structure — the highest share since 2019.
Free zone package pricing (2026)
- SHAMS (Sharjah): zero-visa media licence from AED 5,750 — the cheapest licensed entity in the UAE (2026)
- RAKEZ: zero-visa commercial package from AED 6,500 (2026)
- Meydan Free Zone (Dubai): from AED 12,500 with one visa quota (2026)
- IFZA (Dubai): from AED 12,900 with one visa quota (2026)
- DMCC: from AED 20,285 plus AED 2,000 deposit — ranked world’s top free zone 9 times by fDi Magazine (2026)
Add AED 4,500–6,500 per visa on top of any package. Our free zone company guide compares all major Dubai zones line by line.
Embed this infographic
<a href="https://www.dubaibusinessservices.com/company-setup-costs-in-dubai/"><img src="https://www.dubaibusinessservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/company-setup-cost-in-dubai-comparison-infographic-dubai-2026.png" alt="Company Setup Cost in Dubai 2026 — DBS"/></a> Source: <a href="https://www.dubaibusinessservices.com/company-setup-costs-in-dubai/">Dubai Business Services</a>Offshore (JAFZA Offshore / RAK ICC)
An offshore company costs AED 9,000–12,500 to incorporate in 2026, with AED 8,000 annual renewal. Offshore entities cannot trade inside the UAE and get no visas — they exist for holding assets and international invoicing.
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Hidden Costs Most Entrepreneurs Miss
DBS audit data from 2025 shows the average first-year overspend against initial budget is 22%, driven by five recurring blind spots:
- Corporate tax filing: the 9% rate applies to profit above AED 375,000 under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 (FTA); accounting and filing support runs AED 3,000–8,000 per year for a small trading company (2026).
- VAT compliance: quarterly filing support costs AED 500–1,500 per quarter once you cross the AED 375,000 registration threshold (FTA, 2026).
- External approvals: activities regulated by RERA, KHDA, DHA or Dubai Municipality carry extra approval fees of AED 1,000–15,000 depending on the regulator (2026).
- Health insurance: mandatory for every visa holder — basic EBP plans start at AED 320 per person per year (DHA, 2026).
- Document attestation: corporate documents from abroad cost AED 2,000–4,000 to attest through MOFA channels (2026). Our PRO services price list publishes the real government fees.
Confused about this? Ask DBS — WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 →
How DBS Cuts Your Setup Cost
DBS Documents Clearing LLC has processed 80,000+ company formations since 2009. Three levers reduce your total outlay:
- Structure matching: in 2025, 31% of clients who approached DBS with a mainland budget were routed to a free zone that served their activity for AED 8,000–11,000 less per year.
- Government-rate transparency: DBS charges published DED, GDRFA and FTA tariffs at cost — you see every receipt.
- Bundled PRO handling: one fixed professional fee covers name reservation, MOA, Ejari, establishment card and visa stamping, cutting 40+ hours of government office visits.
Save 40 hours — let DBS handle it. WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does company setup cost in Dubai in 2026?
A complete Dubai company costs AED 12,500–28,000 in 2026 depending on jurisdiction. Free zone packages start at AED 12,500 (Meydan, one visa quota), while a mainland LLC with one investor visa totals AED 23,905 including all government fees and a shared workspace Ejari.
What is the cheapest company setup in the UAE in 2026?
SHAMS free zone in Sharjah offers the cheapest licensed entity at AED 5,750 for a zero-visa media licence (2026). Within Dubai itself, the cheapest route is a Meydan Free Zone package at AED 12,500. Offshore incorporation starts at AED 9,000 but cannot trade in the UAE.
How much does a mainland trade licence cost in Dubai in 2026?
A Dubai mainland commercial licence costs AED 13,000 on average in 2026 including Dubai Chamber and market fees; professional licences start at AED 9,000. Add AED 735 for initial approval and trade name, plus AED 1,200 for MOA notarisation, before visa costs.
How much is an investor visa in Dubai in 2026?
A 2-year Dubai investor visa costs AED 4,500–6,500 all-in during 2026, covering entry permit, status change, medical fitness test, Emirates ID and visa stamping (GDRFA/ICP tariffs). The immigration establishment card, required first, adds AED 750 per year to company costs.
Can foreigners own 100% of a Dubai mainland company in 2026?
Yes. Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 grants 100% foreign ownership of mainland companies for over 1,000 commercial and industrial activities. No local sponsor fee applies, which historically cost AED 15,000–25,000 per year before the 2021 reform.
What are the yearly renewal costs for a Dubai company?
Mainland licence renewal costs AED 14,500 on average in 2026, including licence fee, establishment card renewal (AED 750) and Ejari renewal (AED 220). Free zone renewals mirror the original package price — AED 12,500–20,285 at Dubai’s major zones — plus visa renewals every 2 years.
Do I pay corporate tax on a new Dubai company in 2026?
Every UAE company must register for corporate tax with the FTA — registration is free, but late registration triggers a AED 10,000 penalty. Tax of 9% applies only to taxable profit above AED 375,000 (Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022); qualifying free zone income is taxed at 0%.
How long does company setup take in Dubai in 2026?
A free zone company is licensed in 2–5 working days in 2026; a mainland LLC takes 5–10 working days including DED approval, MOA notarisation and Ejari. Visa stamping adds 5–7 working days after licence issue. DBS completes standard mainland setups within 10 working days.
Start With Real Numbers, Not Estimates
Every figure above comes from published 2026 DED, GDRFA and FTA tariffs, cross-checked against live DBS client files. The single biggest cost mistake is choosing a structure before pricing your specific activity — regulated activities change the bill by thousands of dirhams.
Skip the paperwork — WhatsApp DBS at +971 54 332 2846 or email inquiry@dubaibusinessservices.com for a fixed, itemised quote within one business day.
Author: Salem Basheer, DBS Documents Clearing LLC — Last updated: 2026-07-25
