Company Formation Cost in Dubai: Complete Budget Guide 2026

Transparent breakdown of all costs involved in setting up a business in the UAE.

Cost Category	Price Range	Notes
Trade License	AED 10,000-50,000	Depends on jurisdiction and license type
Initial Approval	AED 1,000-3,000	Required before registration
Office Space	AED 5,000-50,000+/year	Flexi-desk to physical office
Visa Costs	AED 3,000-7,000/visa	Medical, ID, insurance, stamping
PRO Services	AED 5,000-15,000	End-to-end setup support
Registration Fees	AED 2,000-10,000	Name reservation, MOA, etc.
Bank Account	AED 0-3,000	Some banks charge setup fees

License Fees Breakdown

Trade license costs vary widely: commercial from AED 15,000, professional from AED 12,000, free zone packages AED 10,000-50,000. Choose based on your activities.

Visa and Immigration Costs

Budget AED 3,000-7,000 per visa including application, medical, Emirates ID, health insurance, and residency stamping. Costs vary by visa type and nationality.

Office Space Costs

Flexi-desks from AED 5,000/year. Physical offices from AED 20,000/year in free zones. Mainland offices from AED 25,000/year. Location impacts cost significantly.

PRO and Professional Fees

Budget AED 5,000-15,000 for complete PRO support including license processing, visa applications, and document clearing. Reduces errors and speeds registration.

Hidden and Annual Costs

Account for VAT registration, annual license renewal AED 5,000-15,000, visa renewal AED 2,000-4,000 per visa, and health insurance. Budget 15-20 percent above quoted.

Understanding the full cost of company formation in Dubai is essential for budgeting and financial planning. Costs vary significantly based on jurisdiction, license type, visa requirements, and office space.

Free zone packages offer all-inclusive pricing starting from AED 10,000, while mainland setup costs vary more due to office requirements and approval processes. Always request a detailed breakdown before committing.

Hidden costs include bank account setup fees, VAT registration, annual license renewal, and visa renewals. Budget 15-20 percent above the quoted price to cover unexpected expenses.

What is the minimum cost to start?

Free zone: AED 10,000-12,000 minimum for basic package including license and visa. Mainland: AED 20,000+ depending on office requirements. Minimum costs assume flexi-desk and single visa. Expand as your business grows. Dubai offers competitive startup costs compared to other global business hubs.

What are the annual costs?

License renewal: AED 5,000-15,000. Visa renewal: AED 2,000-4,000 per visa. Office rent: variable. PRO services: AED 3,000-8,000. Plan for annual costs to maintain your license and visas. Late renewals incur penalties. Annual costs in Dubai are predictable with proper planning and budgeting.

How can I reduce setup costs?

Choose a free zone package, opt for flexi-desk over physical office, handle some documents yourself, and limit initial visas to essential staff only. Professional advice upfront reduces costly mistakes. Intershine helps optimize your setup budget. Strategic planning reduces both initial and ongoing costs for Dubai businesses.

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