Start a business in Dubai. Get the structure right.
Most people search how to start a business in Dubai and then drown in zone brochures. We help you pick free zone, mainland or offshore, then handle the licence, visas, tax and bank introduction. Written quote. Straight talk.
- From
- AED 5,750
- Ownership
- 100%
- Setup
- 3 to 5 days
How it actually works
How to start a business in Dubai
Five moves. Skip one and you usually pay for it later, in banking or at renewal.
- 01
Name the work
Write down what you sell in one sentence. That sentence becomes your activity code.
- 02
Pick the route
Free zone, mainland or offshore. Customers and location decide this, not a brochure.
- 03
Form the company
Licence and establishment card. Remote is possible for many free zones.
- 04
Visa if you live here
Investor or partner visa for most founders. Golden Visa only if the proof is real.
- 05
Bank and tax
One clean file for the bank. Then FTA registration even if you expect a nil bill.
Full walkthrough: how to set up a company in a UAE free zone. Cost check: setup cost calculator.
How setting up in Dubai actually works, step by step
Chapter 01, The idea
It starts with a decision.
You have the business. Dubai has the market, the connectivity and 0% tax on qualifying income. The question isn't why, it's how to land it properly.
Chapter 02, The ground
Choose where you stand.
Free zone, mainland or offshore, the one decision that shapes your market access, cost and tax. We map it to your customers, not to a commission.
Chapter 03, The licence
Your company, on paper.
Activity selected, name reserved, incorporation documents signed. Your trade licence can be issued in days, not weeks, when it's prepared right.
Chapter 04, The identity
Visa stamped. ID in hand.
Entry permit, medical, biometrics, then your residence visa and Emirates ID. Your family can follow on your sponsorship.
Chapter 05, The bank
An account that gets approved.
Banking is where setups stall. We match you to the right bank and prepare a clean file, licence, substance and source of funds telling one story.
Chapter 06, Open
Doors open. You're incorporated.
Licence, visa, bank, tax registration, done. From here we keep you compliant while you do the part only you can do: build.
Start your journeyStart with the right structure
Free zone, mainland or offshore?
It's the first real decision, and it's about market access and cost, not ownership. All three now allow 100% foreign ownership.
Set up by industry
A licence built for what you do
Industry specific guidance, the right zone, and a banking ready setup.
Why founders choose us
Advisory-first, from anywhere in the world.
- 17
- Free zones profiled
- 6
- Emirates covered
- 100%
- Foreign ownership
- 0%
- Tax on qualifying income
What we do
One team, from licence to bank account
Formation, visas, tax and banking under one roof so nothing falls between the cracks.
Free tools
Know your numbers before you commit
No signup and no email wall. Quick tools to plan cost, VAT and Golden Visa eligibility.
The Free Zone Index
Popular free zones, compared
Indicative starting prices. Open any zone for the full breakdown.
Residency & tax
The two things founders ask about after the licence
Your visa route and your tax position are decided by how you structure the company, not afterwards.
Residency
UAE visas & residency
- UAE Golden Visa for Business Owners & InvestorsLong term, self sponsored residency, for you and your family.
- UAE Investor / Partner VisaResidency through company ownership, the founder's route.
- UAE Freelance Visa & PermitThe leanest legal route to work and live in the UAE.
- UAE Family Visa & SponsorshipBring your spouse, children and parents to the UAE.
Tax
UAE corporate tax & VAT
- UAE Corporate Tax RegistrationMandatory for taxable persons, even when your rate is 0%.
- UAE VAT RegistrationRegister for 5% VAT when you cross the threshold.
- UAE Small Business Relief0% corporate tax for eligible small businesses, with less admin.
- UAE Tax Residency Certificate (TRC)Prove UAE tax residency and access double-tax treaties.
How it works
A clear path from idea to incorporated.
- 01
Discovery
We map your activity, customers, budget and residency goals in a free consultation.
- 02
Structure
We recommend free zone, mainland or offshore with a written all in quote.
- 03
Incorporate
Licence, establishment card and incorporation documents, handled for you.
- 04
Visas & bank
Investor visa, Emirates ID and a bank introduction that actually gets approved.
- 05
Compliance
Corporate tax and VAT registration, bookkeeping and ongoing renewals.
Why Incorporate Dubai
Advice you can trust, from licence through to bank
- ✓
Activity-first advice
We recommend the structure that's right for you, not whatever earns the biggest commission.
- ✓
Transparent pricing
Written, all in quotes with no surprise fees at renewal.
- ✓
One point of contact
Formation, visas, tax and banking handled by one team, not five providers.
- ✓
Built to last
Set up to stay compliant as corporate tax and substance rules evolve.
Start here
Get your free setup plan
Tell us about your business. We reply within one business day with the right structure and a written all in quote.
Good questions
Answers before you ask
The essentials on ownership, cost, tax and visas.
How do I start a business in Dubai?
Pick the activity you actually sell, then pick free zone, mainland or offshore. Form the company, get the establishment card, apply for your visa if you need residency, then open a bank account and register for tax. We map that sequence in a free consultation and send a written quote before you pay anyone.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a UAE company?
Yes. Free zones have always allowed 100% foreign ownership, and since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reform most mainland activities also permit it without an Emirati partner. Only a small list of strategic-impact activities may still require local participation.
Do I still need a local sponsor to open a company in Dubai?
In most cases, no. The old 51% local-partner rule was removed for over a thousand mainland activities in 2021, and free zones never required a sponsor. A few strategic activities may still need a local service agent, which is an administrative role, not an ownership stake.
Do I need to be in Dubai to register a company?
For many free zones, no, the licence and incorporation can be done remotely. You typically only need to enter the UAE for the visa medical and Emirates ID biometrics, and some banks require an in person or video meeting.
Can I set up a Dubai company from abroad?
Yes. Remote-friendly zones like IFZA, Meydan, SHAMS and RAKEZ let overseas founders complete most steps online. You'll usually visit only for the medical and Emirates ID once your visa is being processed.
What documents do I need to start a business in Dubai?
At minimum, passport copies of all shareholders and directors, a completed application, and sometimes a business plan or CV. Additional documents (proof of address, existing-company papers) may be requested for banking and certain activities.
Your Dubai company starts here
Get the right structure the first time.
Book a free 30 minute consultation. Honest advice, a written all in quote, and no obligation.