The Journal
Insights on building a business in the UAE.
Straight-talking guides on costs, free zones, visas, tax and banking — no jargon, no sales spin, updated as the rules change.
The Most In-Demand Business Activities in Dubai for 2026
Nine activities founders are actually licensing this year, what each one requires beyond the licence, and an honest note on which are crowded.
Business ActivitiesOpening a Restaurant or Café in Dubai: Every Approval, and What It Really Costs
Two regulatory tracks run in parallel, not in sequence. Here is the trade licence, the Dubai Municipality food permit, FoodWatch, HACCP, and a realistic 45 to 90 day timeline.
Business ActivitiesHow to Get a Real Estate Broker Licence in Dubai (RERA, DREI and the Real Costs)
Brokerage is one of Dubai's most licensed activities and one of the most conditional. Here is the DREI training, the RERA exam, the broker card, and an honest read on what the numbers actually are.
LicensingCommercial, Professional or Industrial: Which Dubai Licence Type Do You Need?
Four licence categories, and the rule that they cannot be mixed on one licence. Here is what each one permits, what it costs you in practice, and how to tell which one your business falls into.
Business ActivitiesHow to Choose Your Business Activity in Dubai (And Why the Wrong One Costs You a Bank Account)
Your activity code is the first decision you make and the one most likely to break your bank application eighteen months later. Here is how to pick it properly.
Free ZonesBest Free Zones in Dubai Compared: IFZA, Meydan, DMCC & More
There's no single 'best' free zone — only the best one for your business. Here's an honest head-to-head on cost, credibility, activities and banking odds.
Costs & BudgetingThe Cheapest Way to Set Up a Company in Dubai (Without Cutting Corners)
You can start a UAE company for a few thousand dirhams — if you know where to save and where cheap will cost you. A practical guide to a lean, legitimate setup.
Industry GuidesE-commerce Business Setup in Dubai: License, Costs & Steps
Selling online in or from the UAE? Here's which licence you need, how much it costs, and the practical pieces — payment gateway, customs code, marketplaces — most guides skip.
Foundations100% Foreign Ownership in Dubai: What Changed & Who Qualifies
Since 2021, most mainland activities allow full foreign ownership — no Emirati partner required. Here's what changed, which activities still differ, and what it means for you.
Insights7 Costly Mistakes People Make When Setting Up in Dubai
Most setup regret is avoidable. These are the seven mistakes we see most often — wrong activity codes, under-budgeting renewals, ignoring tax registration and more.
Visas & ResidencyDubai Freelance Visa: Cost, Eligibility & How to Apply
A freelance permit is the leanest way to live and work legally in the UAE. Here's what it costs, who it suits, and how it compares to a full company.
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