Ejari (rental registration) and a full Dubai business licence cost AED 15,000–25,000 all-in in your first year on the mainland; free-zone options from AED 12,500–12,900. This includes the trade licence, registration, one investor visa with medical and Emirates ID, and office space. Real first-year cost depends on your activity and jurisdiction; always consult DET (Dubai Economy and Tourism) or your free-zone authority for exact fees. Setup takes 3–7 working days once documents are submitted.
What Is the True All-In Ejari and Licence Cost for Your Dubai Business in 2026?
Setting up a company in Dubai begins with understanding the real cost of Ejari registration (the rental-tenancy contract lodged with DEWA/DET) and your trade licence. Too many headlines quote only the licence fee—AED 4,888, say—and leave founders scrambling weeks later when they discover visas, registration, office space and insurance add another AED 10,000–20,000. Business setup in Dubai is transparent at DBS: we break down every line so you know your real first-year and renewal costs before you commit.
Mainland Dubai vs Free Zone: All-In Cost Comparison 2026
Below is the realistic first-year all-in cost across the three most common paths. Contact DBS on WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846 for a free, itemised quote tailored to your activity and visa count.
| Item | Mainland (DET) |
IFZA (Free Zone) |
Meydan (Free Zone) |
Ajman/SHAMS (Mainland) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade Licence + Registration | AED 9,600–13,500 | AED 8,200–9,500 | AED 7,800–9,000 | AED 4,888–5,750 |
| One Investor Visa (medical + Emirates ID) | AED 3,500–7,500 | Included (0 visa)* | AED 1,500–2,500 | AED 3,500–7,500 |
| Ejari (Rental Contract Registration, if office)** | AED 0–2,500 | AED 0–2,500 | AED 0–2,500 | AED 0–2,500 |
| Flexi Desk / Virtual Office (12 months) | AED 2,500–4,500 | AED 2,500–4,500 | AED 2,500–4,500 | AED 1,500–3,000 |
| Insurance (Professional Indemnity/Liability, estimate) | AED 1,500–3,000 | AED 1,500–3,000 | AED 1,500–3,000 | AED 1,000–2,500 |
| Activity-Specific External Approvals*** | AED 0–5,000 | AED 0–3,000 | AED 0–3,000 | AED 0–2,000 |
| FIRST-YEAR TOTAL (all-in) | AED 17,100–36,000 | AED 12,200–22,500 | AED 11,800–22,000 | AED 10,888–21,250 |
| *IFZA offers zero-visa free-zone packages (company only, no trade licence sponsor); most founders add one visa anyway. **Ejari is AED 0 if you register a virtual office or free-zone desk; required only if you lease a physical office in mainland Dubai/Ajman. ***E.g. travel agency, restaurant, healthcare, recruitment—may need DET, MOHRE, health authority approvals. | ||||
What’s Hidden in the “AED 4,888 Licence” Headline?
Many agencies advertise “licence from AED 4,888” and watch founders panic when the invoice arrives at AED 22,000. That AED 4,888 is the Ajman trade-licence fee alone. It does not include: registration of the company name (AED 500–1,500), your investor visa and medical (AED 3,500–7,500), Ejari rental registration if you want an office (AED 0–2,500), flexi-desk or virtual office (AED 1,500–4,500 yearly), insurance (AED 1,000–3,000), or activity-specific approvals from MOHRE or health authorities if you’re hiring or serving the public. Get a free, fully itemised DBS quote—no surprises: WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846.
Why Choose Mainland Dubai vs a Free Zone?
Dubai free zone company formation suits traders, wholesalers and import–export businesses; IFZA and Meydan are popular and cost-effective. Mainland DET (Dubai Economy and Tourism) licences suit retail, services, professional practices and B2C operations: you can serve customers anywhere in the UAE, and your visa covers the mainland, not just a zone. Free zones often waive the first visa, saving AED 3,500–7,500 in year one, but some require you to lease a physical desk (included in Meydan/IFZA all-in packages). Mainland visas are transferable; free-zone visas are tied to that zone. DBS advises based on your business model: email inquiry@dubaibusinessservices.com to discuss the right fit.
The Real 3–7 Day Setup Timeline & Checklist
Once you’ve chosen your jurisdiction and gathered your documents, you’re typically 3–7 working days from company formation and licence issuance.
| Day(s) | Step | Authority / System |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Submit name approval, document copies (passport, visa, address proof) | DET online / Free Zone Portal |
| 1 | Name reserved; activity classification assigned | EMIS / Zone System |
| 2–3 | Pay trade-licence and registration fees; submit Ejari rental contract (if applicable) | DET / DEWA / Zone |
| 3 | Licence issued; UAE company file created | DET / Zone Authority |
| 3–5 | Medical exam + visa application (GDRFA/ICA) | Health Authority, MOHRE |
| 5–7 | Investor visa stamped; Emirates ID application initiated | GDRFA / ICA / EIDA |
| 7–10 | Banking onboarding (post-visa). Insurance, flexi-desk setup complete. | Your chosen bank + vendor |
Your DBS banking-approval documents checklist:
- Trade licence (original or EMIS e-copy)
- Investor visa copy (once stamped)
- Emirates ID (once issued)
- Ejari contract (if physical office)
- Proof of beneficial ownership (PEP/UBO declaration)
- Business plan or revenue projections (some banks)
- Passport + home-country tax ID copy
Most UAE banks approve within 2–5 days of visa + Emirates ID. DBS introduces you directly—no delays chasing documents.
First Year vs Renewal: Don’t Forget the Annual Cost
Your AED 15,000–25,000 first-year cost buys you the licence, visa and setup. In year two and beyond, renewal is simpler—and cheaper. Trade-licence renewal in Dubai costs AED 5,000–9,000; an investor visa renewal is AED 3,000–5,500 (medical not always required). Insurance, Ejari and office space renew at similar rates. A realistic annual renewal budget is AED 7,000–20,000 depending on jurisdiction and visa count. Free Dubai business setup cost calculator updated to 2026 shows you both first-year and year-two costs. Ask DBS for a renewal forecast when you sign up: WhatsApp +971 54 332 2846.
Key Rules for 2026: 100% Foreign Ownership & Activity Restrictions
In 2026, you can own 100% of most trading, services, professional and F&B licences in mainland Dubai and most free zones—no local partner required (a landmark 2020 UAE cabinet decision). However, some activities still need a UAE national sponsor or minority stake: retail pharmacy, real estate, recruitment (MOHRE oversight) and certain healthcare. Always check the activity with DET or your zone before committing. DBS verifies your activity eligibility at no extra charge.
Frequently asked questions
What is the real all-in first-year cost to set up a Dubai business with one visa?
Mainland DET costs AED 17,100–36,000; free zones (IFZA, Meydan) AED 11,800–22,500. This covers licence, registration, one investor visa with medical and Emirates ID, office/desk, and insurance. Ajman is cheaper (AED 10,888–21,250) but requires extra compliance. Activity-specific approvals (e.g. MOHRE for hiring) may add AED 0–5,000. DBS provides a fully itemised quote in your currency.
What does the headline licence price exclude?
A ‘licence from AED 4,888’ omits: company name registration (AED 500–1,500), investor visa + medical + Emirates ID (AED 3,500–7,500), Ejari rental registration (AED 0–2,500), office/flexi desk (AED 1,500–4,500 yearly), insurance (AED 1,000–3,000), and activity approvals (MOHRE, health, etc., AED 0–5,000). The real cost is 2–5× higher. DBS breaks it all out upfront.
What is the cheapest legitimate option in the UAE?
Ajman/SHAMS mainland: licence + registration AED 4,888–5,750, plus one visa (AED 3,500–7,500), office (AED 1,500–3,000), insurance (AED 1,000–2,500) = total AED 10,888–18,750 first year. Cheaper than Dubai, but visas are Ajman-tied, not mainland. IFZA free zone (zero-visa option) from AED 12,200 is the next tier. Choose based on your customer base and visa portability needs.
Does the licence price include a visa, and what counts as all-in?
‘All-in’ at DBS means licence, registration, one investor visa (medical exam, Emirates ID application), office/virtual address, and insurance. It does NOT include: your home-country tax compliance, banking setup (though we introduce you), IT systems, or activity-specific approvals (you reimbburse or we sub-contract). Some free zones include zero visas; Meydan includes one. Check the breakdown in your quote.
How much does renewal cost each year?
Trade-licence renewal: AED 5,000–9,000. Investor visa renewal: AED 3,000–5,500 (medical often waived). Ejari/office: renewed at similar rates. Insurance: AED 1,000–3,000. Total annual renewal budget: AED 7,000–20,000. Cheaper than year one because setup and visa processing are one-time costs. DBS updates your forecast yearly.
What do I need to provide for banking setup?
After your visa and Emirates ID are issued: original or e-copy of trade licence, visa copy, Emirates ID copy, Ejari contract (if applicable), proof of beneficial ownership (UBO), business plan or revenue forecast, passport, and home-country tax ID. Most UAE banks approve within 2–5 days. DBS introduces you directly and handles document chasing; no extra bank fees.
How does Ejari registration affect cost, and is it mandatory?
Ejari is the DEWA/DET rental-contract registration; it costs AED 0–2,500 and is required only if you lease a physical office in mainland Dubai/Ajman. Free-zone desks are pre-registered. Virtual offices skip Ejari entirely. Most founders choose a flexi desk or free-zone address to avoid the extra Ejari cost and get a shorter setup timeline. DBS includes Ejari guidance and can register it within 1–2 days once your lease is signed.
Get expert help in 20 minutes
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.
