October 23, 2025

If you are trying to understand the business setup in Dubai cost breakdown, you are not alone. This is one of the most searched topics among entrepreneurs who want to expand into the UAE market. Dubai has low taxes, full foreign ownership, fast company registration, stable banking, and global trade access. But the cost depends on many factors like business location, license type, visa needs, and office requirements. In this guide, we break down the business setup in Dubai cost breakdown in a simple, honest, and structured way so you can plan your investment with clarity. Why People Choose Dubai for Business Before we get into the detailed business setup in Dubai cost breakdown, it is important to understand why more than 200,000 entrepreneurs choose Dubai every year. Zero personal income tax 9 percent corporate tax only above threshold profit 100 percent foreign ownership allowed Fast company registration process Strong banking and stable legal structure Safe country with global trade access Residence visa eligibility for business owners Opportunities in trade, e commerce, services, consulting, finance and technology This is why many professionals search how to start a company in Dubai and move here for both lifestyle and strong financial growth. Two Main Business Setup Options in UAE The business setup in Dubai cost breakdown depends mainly on where you register your company. Option Ownership Office Required Best For Free Zone Company 100% ownership Optional flexi desk E commerce, media, trading, services Mainland LLC Dubai 100% ownership Office required Retail, logistics, contracting, government projects Most new entrepreneurs choose free zone company setup because it is affordable, fast and flexible. Mainland is ideal for companies that want to operate directly in the UAE local market. Business Setup in Dubai Cost Breakdown 2025 Here is the accurate cost structure you must consider. 1. Trade License Fee The Dubai business license cost depends on the activity and jurisdiction. Business Type License Cost Range Free zone service license AED 5,500 to AED 12,000 Trading license with import export AED 9,000 to AED 15,000 Dubai mainland license cost AED 14,000 to AED 22,000 This is the base expense in the total business setup in Dubai cost breakdown. 2. Visa and Emirates ID Cost If you want to live in the UAE and manage your business, a UAE business visa is required. Visa Type Cost Range Investor visa AED 2,800 to AED 4,000 Partner visa AED 3,000 to AED 4,200 Employee visa AED 4,000 to AED 6,000 Visa cost also depends on whether the person is inside or outside the UAE. 3. Office or Flexi Desk Cost Free zones allow a low cost business setup in Dubai by offering shared desks or virtual office options. Option Cost Range Flexi desk shared space AED 3,000 to AED 7,000 Small office rental AED 15,000 to AED 35,000 Mainland office Ejari Starting from AED 12,000 In free zones this cost is optional, but for mainland it is mandatory. 4. Bank Account Opening Banks require business verification to prevent fraud. Cost depends on banking partners and compliance needs. Bank Requirement Cost Range Account opening support AED 1,500 to AED 3,000 Minimum balance AED 25,000 to AED 150,000 This step is part of company registration UAE and is required to operate legally. 5. Government and Administrative Fees   Item Cost Range MOA and company documents AED 1,000 to AED 2,500 Immigration file AED 800 Establishment card AED 500 to AED 1,200 These are mandatory government fees for registering your company. Total Business Setup in Dubai Cost Breakdown Summary   Package Approximate Cost Free Zone Setup Without Visa AED 6,000 to AED 12,000 Free Zone Setup With 1 Visa AED 9,000 to AED 18,000 Mainland Setup With 1 Visa AED 16,000 to AED 28,000 Full Business Setup With Bank Assistance AED 18,000 to AED 35,000 These are realistic 2025 prices used by business setup consultants in Dubai. Cheapest Business Setup Options in Dubai You can start a company legally in Dubai on a budget: Free zone with no visa from AED 6,000 E commerce license Dubai from AED 8,500 Professional service license from AED 9,000 Freelancer permit from AED 7,500 If you are looking for a low cost business setup in Dubai, free zones are the smartest choice. Additional Expenses You Should Plan For   Expense Type Cost Company stamp AED 100 Website and email AED 1,200 to AED 3,000 Bookkeeping Starting AED 300 per month VAT registration if required AED 2,000 to AED 3,000 These are operational needs for long term business. How to Reduce Business Setup Cost in UAE   To reduce business setup cost in UAE you need to choose a cost effective free zone Start without an office and upgrade later Apply for visa only when necessary Open account in right bank to avoid large deposits Use a professional setup advisor to avoid penalties A Dubai business license cost can be optimized with right planning.   Step Time Required Trade name approval 1 day Initial approval 1 day License issuance 2 to 3 days Visa and Emirates ID 5 to 7 days Bank account opening 7 to 14 days You can start a company in Dubai in 3 to 7 working days. Why Choose AB Capital for Business Setup in Dubai The business setup in Dubai cost breakdown can go wrong if you choose the wrong structure or license. AB Capital is led by Bharat Bajaj, a finance expert with 20 years of experience in UAE and India. AB Capital Dubai, which is located at Bur Dubai, simplifies setup, visa, tax, company structuring and free zone license price Dubai guidance. At AB Capital Business Setup Services, we reduce risk, save cost, and handle paperwork so you focus on business growth. Final Thoughts Understanding the business setup in Dubai cost breakdown is the first step to entering the UAE market. The cost starts from AED 6,000 and increases based on license type, visas and banking needs. Dubai is currently one of the best places in the world to start