The cheapest Dubai company for Indians costs AED 15,000–25,000 all-in for year one, including a free-zone trade licence (~AED 12,500), one investor visa, registration with DET and MOHRE, and bank-account opening. That translates to roughly ₹3,00,000–5,00,000 at current rates. Free zones beat the mainland; Ajman SHAMS is the absolute floor at ~AED 4,888 licence-only, but you then layer visa and banking costs.
What is the true all-in cost of a Dubai company for Indians?
The headline licence cost — AED 4,888 (Ajman SHAMS) to AED 26,355 (mainland with one visa) — is not your total spend. When you ask for the cheapest business setup in Dubai, you must add investor visa, Emirates ID, medical, registration, bank account setup, and working capital. A realistic lean first-year all-in is AED 15,000–25,000 for a Dubai free zone company formation. Mainland options (Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah) can cost AED 18,200–32,000 depending on visa status and location.
For Indians earning abroad, this represents a straightforward UAE incorporation cost; it is not tax relocation. Your home-country tax filing remains your obligation — consult a licensed tax advisor in India on whether NRE accounts, TDS, or residency status affect your liability. DBS handles only the Dubai company formation, visa application, and banking introduction; we do not advise on Indian income tax.
Cheapest Dubai company: free zones vs. mainland vs. Ajman
Free zones for Indians: Meydan (Dubai Airport Free Zone) at ~AED 12,500 (1 visa included); IFZA (International Free Zone Authority) at ~AED 12,900 (0-visa licence, visa paid separately). Both offer 0% corporate tax on Qualifying Income under QFZP rules and are suitable for trading, consultancy, and software services for Indian clients.
Mainland (Dubai/Sharjah/Ajman): DET-registered companies (no visa) from ~AED 18,200; with one investor visa (2-year renewable), ~AED 26,355. Mainland companies pay 0% UAE Corporate Tax up to AED 375,000 taxable profit, then 9% above, and are visible to clients without free-zone disclaimers.
Ajman (absolute cheapest licence): SHAMS (Sharjah and Ajman Multi-Purpose Service) issues licences from ~AED 4,888–5,750. However, you then add visa (~AED 3,500–7,500), medical (~AED 200–500), Emirates ID, and bank account opening, reaching AED 12,000–18,000. Many Indian entrepreneurs choose Ajman if they have no UAE staff and want the lowest formal cost, but it’s still 2–3 days longer than a free zone.
| Entity Type | Licence (AED) | Investor Visa (AED) | Year-1 All-In (AED) | Year-1 All-In (₹ indicative) | Tax Rate (Qualifying Income) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Zone (Meydan) | 12,500 | Incl. (1 visa) | 15,500–17,500 | ₹3,10,000–3,50,000 | 0% |
| Free Zone (IFZA) | 12,900 | 5,500–7,500 | 16,500–19,500 | ₹3,30,000–3,90,000 | 0% |
| Mainland (no visa) | 18,200 | — | 18,500–20,500 | ₹3,70,000–4,10,000 | 0–9%* |
| Mainland + 1 visa | 26,355 | 6,000–9,000 | 25,000–32,000 | ₹5,00,000–6,40,000 | 0–9%* |
| Ajman (SHAMS) | 4,888 | 3,500–7,500 | 12,000–18,000 | ₹2,40,000–3,60,000 | 0–9%* |
Indicative at current rates — convert at today’s XE.com or OANDA rate. *Mainland: 0% up to AED 375,000 taxable profit (small business relief applies to revenue ≤ AED 3M until 31 Dec 2026); 9% above. Free zones: 0% on Qualifying Income if de-minimis breach avoided (5% of revenue or AED 5M, whichever is lower). Year-1 includes licence, visa (if applicable), Emirates ID, medical, DET/MOHRE registration, basic bank setup, and 3 months working capital buffer.
Contact DBS on WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 for a bespoke itemised quote in AED and your local currency.
What does the cheapest price NOT include?
The headline licence fee covers only the trade licence and (sometimes) one visa. It does not include:
- Investor/partner visa (2-year): ~AED 3,500–7,500 per person (processing, agency fees, medical, Emirates ID).
- Medical test & Emirates ID: ~AED 200–500 per person.
- Bank account setup: Often AED 0–5,000, but many banks require a minimum balance (AED 25,000–50,000) and take 1–8 weeks to approve non-resident accounts.
- Insurance (employer liability, professional indemnity): ~AED 500–2,000 annually if you have staff or offer professional services.
- Attestation & translation (home-country documents): ~AED 300–800 if you’re applying from abroad.
- Compliance & accounting setup: AED 1,000–3,000 for the first year if you hire a book-keeper or accountant.
- Working capital & business expenses: Not a cost to DBS, but your own cash float for operating the business.
The real friction in a Dubai setup is not the licence — it’s the bank account. Corporate accounts often demand a UAE-resident signatory, a clean UBO declaration, proof of source of funds, and 1–3 months of KYC, especially for non-residents.
DBS will guide you through the banking checklist and help you prepare documents, but the bank makes the final call.
Free-zone setup timeline: day-by-day
Here is a realistic schedule for a zero-visa free-zone licence (Meydan or IFZA), assuming you submit complete documents from India:
| Day | Task | Lead Time |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | DBS collects details, home-country attestations (passport, POI, POR), and POA notarised. | 1–2 days |
| Day 2–3 | DBS submits application to FTA/free-zone authority; DET pre-approves company name. | 1 day |
| Day 4–5 | Trade licence issued; company is registered with DET and MOHRE (employer/labour authority). | 1–2 days |
| Day 6–7 | DBS prepares bank documentation pack (licence, DET certificate, UBO, beneficial ownership form). | 1 day |
| Day 8–35 | Bank KYC: submit, wait for approval. Non-resident KYC often takes 2–8 weeks; may need UAE-resident POA or virtual opening. Once approved, account is live. | 2–8 weeks |
Total: Licence & registration 3–5 working days; bank approval 1–8 weeks (the real bottleneck). A zero-visa company can be formed entirely remotely — no need for anyone to visit Dubai during registration.
Bank account opening: the real bottleneck for Indians
Forming a company is 5–7 days. Opening a bank account takes 1–8 weeks. Indian founders often underestimate this. Banks in the UAE require a clean KYC package from non-residents, which includes:
- Trade licence (issued).
- DET & MOHRE registration certificate.
- Beneficial ownership declaration & UBO form (naming all shareholders, their PAN/tax ID, and source of funds).
- Proof of source of funds (bank statement from India, investment proof, loan letter, or employment salary slip).
- Shareholder passport, visa copy, and home-country proof of address.
- Director resolution & Power of Attorney (if signing remotely).
- A UAE-resident signatory (in many cases) or a valid POA notarised in your home country.
Common delays: Banks request a UAE-based company director, a resident signatory, or proof that your source of funds is “legitimate” (they are stricter on non-resident applicants). If you cannot attend in person, a Power of Attorney to a UAE resident (a professional agent or local sponsor) often speeds approval.
Budget-friendly banks for Indian founders: Wio (AED 0 minimum balance, digital-first, 2–4 weeks); Mashreq NeoBiz (AED ~10,000 minimum, 3–6 weeks). Traditional banks (Emirates NBD, FAB, ADIB) may demand AED 25,000–50,000 minimum and take 2–3 months for non-resident review.
DBS will prepare your complete banking checklist and connect you with a recommended bank partner to expedite approval.
UAE tax summary for Indian company owners: no personal income tax, corporate tax caveats
Corporate Tax (your Dubai/UAE company):
- Mainland companies: 0% tax on profit up to AED 375,000; 9% above (under the new UAE Corporate Tax regime, effective 2023). Small Business Relief: 0% if revenue ≤ AED 3M for accounting periods ending on/before 31 December 2026.
- Free-zone companies: 0% tax on Qualifying Income (under QFZP rules). Qualifying Income = all revenue minus the greater of 5% of revenue or AED 5M (de-minimis). If you exceed this, non-qualifying income is taxed at 9% from dirham one. If you breach the threshold, you lose 0% status for ~5 years. For most Indian consulting and trading businesses, keeping revenue under AED 5M keeps you 0%-taxed.
- VAT: 5% (mandatory registration at AED 375,000 revenue; or voluntary below). Your suppliers invoice you 5% VAT; you reclaim it if registered. Your invoices to customers are 5%, and they reclaim if they’re registered.
Personal Income Tax (you as an individual in the UAE): 0% in the UAE. If you are a UAE resident, you pay no personal income tax on your salary, dividends, or profits.
Home-country tax (India): This is your responsibility; DBS does not advise on Indian tax. If you are an Indian resident (180+ days in India per financial year), you are taxed by India on your worldwide income, including profits from your Dubai company. If you are a non-resident of India (<90 days in India + strong ties, such as your company registration or family in the UAE), India may not tax you on foreign-source income — but consult a CA in India immediately. An NRE account (Non-Resident External) can isolate foreign income; an NRO account (Non-Resident Ordinary) does not. Remittance rules, TDS, and Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) limits also apply. Only a licensed Chartered Accountant in India can give you a compliant answer.
DBS ensures your Dubai company is set up and tax-compliant in the UAE. Your Indian tax position is between you and an Indian tax advisor.
Investor visas, Golden Visa, and residence options for Indians
Investor/Partner Visa (2-year, renewable): The cheapest residence option. Cost: ~AED 6,000–9,000 all-in for one person (visa fee, processing, Emirates ID, medical). Requires a stake in the company (usually AED 250,000+) or directorship. Ideal for Indian founders who want to run the business from Dubai 1–2 years.
Golden Visa (10-year): Designed for long-term commitment. Routes: (a) AED 2M property investment (30% downpayment minimum); (b) AED 2M company capital (new business investment); (c) AED 1M deposit (savings). Government fees: ~AED 4,695–10,140 (depends on duration and type). As of February 2026, mortgaged property and off-plan property now qualify (the 50%-upfront rule was removed). There is NO “lifetime” Golden Visa for AED 100,000 (the ICP scheme was denied in July 2025).
Green Visa (5-year): For skilled professionals, freelancers, and investors with passive income. Salary threshold: AED 15,000/month. Freelance annual income: AED 360,000. Investor shareholding: AED 1M. Ideal if your company will employ you at a salary or if you have multiple income streams.
Family Sponsorship: Once you’re a resident (investor visa or Golden Visa), you can sponsor your family. Salary threshold for spouse: AED 4,000/month; for parents: AED 20,000/month. Processing time: 2–4 weeks. Cost: ~AED 300–500 per person per sponsorship (agency fees; government fee included).
DBS will advise which visa type suits your situation during your free consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest Dubai company setup for Indians?
Ajman (SHAMS) at ~AED 4,888 licence-only is the absolute floor, but year-1 all-in (adding visa, medical, bank setup) totals AED 12,000–18,000. Free zones (Meydan, IFZA) cost ~AED 12,500–13,000 licence + visa, reaching AED 15,500–19,500 all-in. Mainland (DET) without visa is ~AED 18,200 licence, but with a 2-year investor visa goes to AED 26,355+. Choose free zone if you trade internationally; Ajman if you want the lowest licence cost; mainland if you want client visibility and no free-zone disclaimers.
Why is the real first-year cost higher than the licence price?
The licence fee (AED 4,888–26,355) covers only the trade permit. You must add: investor visa (~AED 3,500–7,500), Emirates ID & medical (~AED 200–500), bank account opening (often AED 0–5,000 + a minimum balance of AED 0–50,000), insurance (~AED 500–2,000), translation/attestation (~AED 300–800), and working capital. A lean first-year budget is AED 15,000–25,000. Many Indian founders are surprised the bank account takes 2–8 weeks and demands proof of source of funds.
Does the cheapest licence include a visa?
Not always. Ajman SHAMS (AED 4,888) and Mainland DET (AED 18,200 no-visa) do not include a visa; you pay separately (~AED 3,500–7,500). Meydan free zone (AED 12,500) includes one investor visa. IFZA (AED 12,900) is visa-only; the visa is paid on top. Always ask whether the quoted price is ‘licence-only’ or ‘all-in with visa’ before committing.
Meydan or IFZA — which is cheaper for Indians?
Meydan (Dubai Airport Free Zone) at ~AED 12,500 includes one visa, making year-1 all-in ~AED 15,500–17,500. IFZA at ~AED 12,900 licence + ~AED 5,500–7,500 visa separately = AED 18,400–20,400 year-1. Meydan is cheaper and faster (1 visa bundled). Both offer 0% tax on Qualifying Income. Choose Meydan if you want an all-in package; IFZA if you need zero visa at formation (you add visas later).
What does the headline price NOT include?
The licence fee does not include: investor visa (AED 3,500–7,500), Emirates ID & medical (AED 200–500), bank account opening (1–8 weeks, sometimes AED 25,000–50,000 minimum balance), insurance (AED 500–2,000), home-country attestation (AED 300–800), or working capital. Mainland companies also need an additional visa if the director/owner is non-resident. Always request an itemised invoice from DBS to see all costs upfront.
Can I set up a Dubai company 100% remotely from India without visiting?
Yes, the formation itself is fully remote (e-signed documents, notarised POA, home-country attestations). However, opening a bank account often requires in-person KYC or a UAE-resident Power of Attorney signatory, especially for non-residents. Many Indian founders use a professional agent or sponsor as POA to sign documents and attend the bank. DBS will prepare all documents and connect you with banking partners that accept remote/POA openings; expect 1–8 weeks total for account approval.
Will my Indian tax return be affected if I set up a Dubai company?
Possibly. If you are an Indian resident (180+ days in India), India may tax your worldwide income, including Dubai company profits. If you are a non-resident (<90 days + weak ties), foreign-source income may not be taxed by India. You must consult a Chartered Accountant in India immediately to determine your residency status and file correctly (NRE vs. NRO account, TDS, Liberalised Remittance Scheme). DBS handles only your UAE incorporation and UAE tax compliance; home-country tax is your responsibility and requires a licensed Indian adviser.
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Talk to DBS on WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 or email inquiry@dubaibusinessservices.com for a free, fully itemised cost breakdown in your own currency — and a straight answer on banking and tax.
