Dubai mainland company setup
Check Dubai mainland licence estimates, activity requirements and setup steps. Your full budget depends on the legal form, premises, visas and approvals you need.
Dubai · Mainland
Key facts
- Licence estimateDetails on licence estimate
AED 14,000
Licence only · plus 5% of rent
- Licence issued inDetails on licence issued in
Not published
- VisasDetails on visas
Quota to confirm
Requires confirmation
- PremisesDetails on premises
Registered premises
Suitability depends on the activity
- RenewalDetails on renewal
Not published
- ActivitiesDetails on activities
9
Activity guides we publish
May suit your business
- Founders evaluating a DET activity for their intended Dubai operations
- Businesses whose chosen activity or premises make a mainland route worth investigating
Check before choosing
- Choosing a licence before defining the actual activity and operating requirements
- Comparing a quoted package without its premises, visa and renewal assumptions
Updated 5 Sep 2026 · 2 sources · 3 details still to confirm · Sources
Ask an assistant about this page: ChatGPT · Claude · Perplexity
Official licence estimates
Invest in Dubai calculates the normal licence estimate from the legal form and partner count, plus 5% of the rent entered. These examples use expat owners and an LLC.
- 1 owner · Single-owner LLC
- AED 14,000 + 5% of rentAt AED 30,000 rent: AED 15,500 estimated licence fees
- 2 partners · LLC
- AED 15,000 + 5% of rentAt AED 30,000 rent: AED 16,500 estimated licence fees
This is the official simulator’s average licence estimate, not a full setup total. The rent payment itself, visas, activity approvals and other applicable costs still need a separate assessment. Fee inclusions, VAT and renewal are not itemized in this estimate. No Dubai Setup Index service fee is added.
What each activity covers
Official activity descriptions help you choose the right scope. The route notes below use one expat owner and a single-owner LLC; approvals and professional permissions remain activity-specific.
Computer Systems & Communication Equipment Software Design6201001 · View scope
Design, implement and maintain computer software, including mobile applications.
Professional activity · Normal and Instant Licence routes appear in this scenario.
Check activity and route with Invest in DubaiGeneral Trading4690018 · View scope
Import, trade and re-export permitted goods.
Commercial activity · Normal and Instant Licence routes appear in this scenario.
- Goods requiring special approvals need an NOC from the competent authority.
Accounting & Bookkeeping6920003 · View scope
Set up accounting systems, documents, records and bookkeeping processes for businesses.
Professional activity · Normal and Instant Licence routes appear in this scenario.
- This activity does not permit examining or auditing accounts.
Management Consultancies7020003 · View scope
Advise organizations on performance, processes, structure, policies and strategy.
Professional activity · Normal and Instant Licence routes appear in this scenario.
- The official activity description lists a bachelor's degree in business or economics and three years of practical experience.
- Field surveys and questionnaires require approval from the competent authority.
Marketing Management7320002 · View scope
Advise and assist businesses with marketing, pricing, distribution and digital promotion.
Professional activity · Normal and Instant Licence routes appear in this scenario.
- This activity does not permit selling the products or services being promoted.
Real Estate Buying & Selling Brokerage6820004 · View scope
Act as an intermediary between property owners and buyers for an agreed commission.
Professional activity · Normal Licence appears in this scenario; Instant Licence is not applicable.
- Confirm the separate DLD/RERA company and individual permissions before operating.
Costs by business type
Explore dated UPPERSETUP provider estimates for selected business types, including one owner visa where priced. Open an example to see its scope and the costs still to confirm.
Provider subtotals are not official fees or Dubai Setup Index packages. Full first-year and renewal totals remain unverified; these figures are not directly comparable with no-visa free-zone prices.
Management consultancyAED 21,040Third-party provider subtotal
Specific provider activity, not every service under the broad business label. Confirm the exact official activity code before applying.
Observed component amounts below may cover different selections. They are not an additive quote; zero means the provider listed no separate charge for that line.
- trade name (company)
- AED 620
- initial application (company)
- AED 120
- ejari registration (company)
- AED 525
- moa (company)
- AED 400
- licence (company)
- AED 14,000
- establishment card (company)
- AED 750
- entry inside (person)
- AED 1,180
- status change (person)
- AED 675
- medical (person)
- AED 320
- emirates id (person)
- AED 450
- insurance allowance (person)
- AED 1,150
- residence (person)
- AED 850
Provider displayed 29 days excluding bank review. Calendar versus business days is unconfirmed; this is not a delivery commitment and premises readiness or external approvals may change it.
Still to confirm before a complete budget
- Office eligibility and rent
- Actual licensing invoice and rent/membership assessment
- Exact legal form and shareholder assumptions
- Applicable approvals for expanded scope
- Insurance actual plan and term
- Annual renewal invoice
- Labour file/quota if hiring
- VAT/deposits/channel inclusion
Marketing managementAED 21,040Third-party provider subtotal
Specific provider activity, not every service under the broad business label. Confirm the exact official activity code before applying.
Observed component amounts below may cover different selections. They are not an additive quote; zero means the provider listed no separate charge for that line.
- trade name (company)
- AED 620
- initial application (company)
- AED 120
- ejari registration (company)
- AED 525
- moa (company)
- AED 400
- licence (company)
- AED 14,000
- establishment card (company)
- AED 750
- entry inside (person)
- AED 1,180
- status change (person)
- AED 675
- medical (person)
- AED 320
- emirates id (person)
- AED 450
- insurance allowance (person)
- AED 1,150
- residence (person)
- AED 850
Provider displayed 29 days excluding bank review. Calendar versus business days is unconfirmed; this is not a delivery commitment and premises readiness or external approvals may change it.
Still to confirm before a complete budget
- Office eligibility and rent
- Actual licensing invoice and rent/membership assessment
- Exact legal form and shareholder assumptions
- Applicable approvals for expanded scope
- Insurance actual plan and term
- Annual renewal invoice
- Labour file/quota if hiring
- VAT/deposits/channel inclusion
Software developmentAED 21,040Third-party provider subtotal
Specific provider activity, not every service under the broad business label. Confirm the exact official activity code before applying.
Observed component amounts below may cover different selections. They are not an additive quote; zero means the provider listed no separate charge for that line.
- trade name (company)
- AED 620
- initial application (company)
- AED 120
- ejari registration (company)
- AED 525
- moa (company)
- AED 400
- licence (company)
- AED 14,000
- establishment card (company)
- AED 750
- entry inside (person)
- AED 1,180
- status change (person)
- AED 675
- medical (person)
- AED 320
- emirates id (person)
- AED 450
- insurance allowance (person)
- AED 1,150
- residence (person)
- AED 850
Provider displayed 29 days excluding bank review. Calendar versus business days is unconfirmed; this is not a delivery commitment and premises readiness or external approvals may change it.
Still to confirm before a complete budget
- Office eligibility and rent
- Actual licensing invoice and rent/membership assessment
- Exact legal form and shareholder assumptions
- Applicable approvals for expanded scope
- Insurance actual plan and term
- Annual renewal invoice
- Labour file/quota if hiring
- VAT/deposits/channel inclusion
Real estate buying and selling brokerageAED 28,250Third-party provider subtotal
Exact legal activity and scenario applicability require verification.
Observed component amounts below may cover different selections. They are not an additive quote; zero means the provider listed no separate charge for that line.
- trade name (company)
- AED 790
- initial approval (company)
- AED 290
- ejari registration (company)
- AED 525
- moa signature (company)
- AED 400
- rera approval (company)
- AED 5,020
- licence issue (company)
- AED 16,000
- rera certificate (company)
- AED 1,000
- immigration card (company)
- AED 750
- entry inside (person)
- AED 1,180
- status change if applicable (person)
- AED 675
- medical application (person)
- AED 320
- id application (person)
- AED 450
- medical test already paid (person)
- AED 0
- biometrics (person)
- AED 0
- residence issue (person)
- AED 850
- id delivery step (person)
- AED 0
- bank application (company)
- AED 0
No reconciled provider timeline is published for this scenario.
Still to confirm before a complete budget
- Owner insurance absent unlike the three service calculators
- Office rent and brokerage premises approval
- Broker course/exam/card/clearance
- Actual licensing additions
- Renewal invoice
General tradingQuote requiredOpen requirements
Exact legal activity and scenario applicability require verification.
No usable provider price captured
No reconciled provider timeline is published for this scenario.
Still to confirm before a complete budget
- No matched UPPERSETUP Dubai mainland calculator found
- Products and legal activity route
- Unbundled provider-free current licence invoice
- Premises/customs/product approvals
- Owner route and employee quota
- Renewal
Product-specific online storeQuote requiredOpen requirements
Exact legal activity and scenario applicability require verification.
No usable provider price captured
No reconciled provider timeline is published for this scenario.
Still to confirm before a complete budget
- No matched UPPERSETUP Dubai mainland calculator found
- Products and legal activity route
- Unbundled provider-free current licence invoice
- Premises/customs/product approvals
- Owner route and employee quota
- Renewal
Technical Services WorksAED 21,040Third-party provider subtotal
Installation and finishing trades; project-specific permits and worker qualifications remain unresolved.
Observed component amounts below may cover different selections. They are not an additive quote; zero means the provider listed no separate charge for that line.
- trade name (company)
- AED 620
- initial approval (company)
- AED 120
- ejari (company)
- AED 525
- moa (company)
- AED 400
- licence (company)
- AED 14,000
- establishment (company)
- AED 750
- entry (person)
- AED 1,180
- status change (person)
- AED 675
- medical application (person)
- AED 320
- id application (person)
- AED 450
- medical attendance (person)
- AED 0
- insurance allowance (person)
- AED 1,150
- biometrics (person)
- AED 0
- residence (person)
- AED 850
- id receipt (person)
- AED 0
Provider displayed 29 days excluding bank review. Calendar versus business days is unconfirmed; this is not a delivery commitment and premises readiness or external approvals may change it.
Still to confirm before a complete budget
- Actual premises rent, deposit, VAT and fit-out
- Operational equipment, inventory, staff and transport
- Unverified licensing additions and memberships
- Required health insurance where absent
- Professional qualifications, project permits and other scope-specific approvals
- Bank charges and balances
- Renewal
Accounting and BookkeepingAED 21,040Third-party provider subtotal
Accounting systems and bookkeeping; provider explicitly excludes examining or auditing accounts.
Observed component amounts below may cover different selections. They are not an additive quote; zero means the provider listed no separate charge for that line.
- trade name (company)
- AED 620
- initial approval (company)
- AED 120
- ejari (company)
- AED 525
- moa (company)
- AED 400
- licence (company)
- AED 14,000
- establishment (company)
- AED 750
- entry (person)
- AED 1,180
- status change (person)
- AED 675
- medical application (person)
- AED 320
- id application (person)
- AED 450
- medical attendance (person)
- AED 0
- insurance allowance (person)
- AED 1,150
- biometrics (person)
- AED 0
- residence (person)
- AED 850
- id receipt (person)
- AED 0
Provider displayed 29 days excluding bank review. Calendar versus business days is unconfirmed; this is not a delivery commitment and premises readiness or external approvals may change it.
Still to confirm before a complete budget
- Actual premises rent, deposit, VAT and fit-out
- Operational equipment, inventory, staff and transport
- Unverified licensing additions and memberships
- Required health insurance where absent
- Professional qualifications, project permits and other scope-specific approvals
- Bank charges and balances
- Renewal
Restaurants ManagementAED 21,040Third-party provider subtotal
Managing restaurants owned by others and already licensed; not formation of an operating restaurant.
Observed component amounts below may cover different selections. They are not an additive quote; zero means the provider listed no separate charge for that line.
- trade name (company)
- AED 620
- initial approval (company)
- AED 120
- ejari (company)
- AED 525
- moa (company)
- AED 400
- licence (company)
- AED 14,000
- establishment (company)
- AED 750
- entry (person)
- AED 1,180
- status change (person)
- AED 675
- medical application (person)
- AED 320
- id application (person)
- AED 450
- medical attendance (person)
- AED 0
- insurance allowance (person)
- AED 1,150
- biometrics (person)
- AED 0
- residence (person)
- AED 850
- id receipt (person)
- AED 0
Provider displayed 29 days excluding bank review. Calendar versus business days is unconfirmed; this is not a delivery commitment and premises readiness or external approvals may change it.
Still to confirm before a complete budget
- Actual premises rent, deposit, VAT and fit-out
- Operational equipment, inventory, staff and transport
- Unverified licensing additions and memberships
- Required health insurance where absent
- Professional qualifications, project permits and other scope-specific approvals
- Bank charges and balances
- Renewal
Logistics ConsultancyAED 21,040Third-party provider subtotal
Supply-chain advice and improvement; not freight forwarding, transport or warehouse operations.
Observed component amounts below may cover different selections. They are not an additive quote; zero means the provider listed no separate charge for that line.
- trade name (company)
- AED 620
- initial approval (company)
- AED 120
- ejari (company)
- AED 525
- moa (company)
- AED 400
- licence (company)
- AED 14,000
- establishment (company)
- AED 750
- entry (person)
- AED 1,180
- status change (person)
- AED 675
- medical application (person)
- AED 320
- id application (person)
- AED 450
- medical attendance (person)
- AED 0
- insurance allowance (person)
- AED 1,150
- biometrics (person)
- AED 0
- residence (person)
- AED 850
- id receipt (person)
- AED 0
Provider displayed 29 days excluding bank review. Calendar versus business days is unconfirmed; this is not a delivery commitment and premises readiness or external approvals may change it.
Still to confirm before a complete budget
- Actual premises rent, deposit, VAT and fit-out
- Operational equipment, inventory, staff and transport
- Unverified licensing additions and memberships
- Required health insurance where absent
- Professional qualifications, project permits and other scope-specific approvals
- Bank charges and balances
- Renewal
Food ConsultantAED 21,040Third-party provider subtotal
Food advisory and safety solutions; not food preparation, catering or restaurant operations.
Observed component amounts below may cover different selections. They are not an additive quote; zero means the provider listed no separate charge for that line.
- trade name (company)
- AED 620
- initial approval (company)
- AED 120
- ejari (company)
- AED 525
- moa (company)
- AED 400
- licence (company)
- AED 14,000
- establishment (company)
- AED 750
- entry (person)
- AED 1,180
- status change (person)
- AED 675
- medical application (person)
- AED 320
- id application (person)
- AED 450
- medical attendance (person)
- AED 0
- insurance allowance (person)
- AED 1,150
- biometrics (person)
- AED 0
- residence (person)
- AED 850
- id receipt (person)
- AED 0
Provider displayed 29 days excluding bank review. Calendar versus business days is unconfirmed; this is not a delivery commitment and premises readiness or external approvals may change it.
Still to confirm before a complete budget
- Actual premises rent, deposit, VAT and fit-out
- Operational equipment, inventory, staff and transport
- Unverified licensing additions and memberships
- Required health insurance where absent
- Professional qualifications, project permits and other scope-specific approvals
- Bank charges and balances
- Renewal
Shoe TradingAED 21,040Third-party provider subtotal
Specific footwear resale; no inference of general-trading or online-selling authorization.
Observed component amounts below may cover different selections. They are not an additive quote; zero means the provider listed no separate charge for that line.
- trade name (company)
- AED 620
- initial approval (company)
- AED 120
- ejari (company)
- AED 525
- moa (company)
- AED 400
- licence (company)
- AED 14,000
- establishment (company)
- AED 750
- entry (person)
- AED 1,180
- status change (person)
- AED 675
- medical application (person)
- AED 320
- id application (person)
- AED 450
- medical attendance (person)
- AED 0
- insurance allowance (person)
- AED 1,150
- biometrics (person)
- AED 0
- residence (person)
- AED 850
- id receipt (person)
- AED 0
Provider displayed 29 days excluding bank review. Calendar versus business days is unconfirmed; this is not a delivery commitment and premises readiness or external approvals may change it.
Still to confirm before a complete budget
- Actual premises rent, deposit, VAT and fit-out
- Operational equipment, inventory, staff and transport
- Unverified licensing additions and memberships
- Required health insurance where absent
- Professional qualifications, project permits and other scope-specific approvals
- Bank charges and balances
- Renewal
Women SalonAED 23,510Third-party provider subtotal
Beauty and hair services; provider states microblading requires separate DHA permit. Premises, fit-out and operating readiness are not priced.
Observed component amounts below may cover different selections. They are not an additive quote; zero means the provider listed no separate charge for that line.
- trade name (company)
- AED 620
- initial approval (company)
- AED 120
- ejari (company)
- AED 525
- moa (company)
- AED 400
- licence (company)
- AED 16,620
- municipality noc (company)
- AED 1,000
- establishment (company)
- AED 750
- entry (person)
- AED 1,180
- status change (person)
- AED 675
- medical application (person)
- AED 320
- id application (person)
- AED 450
- medical attendance (person)
- AED 0
- biometrics (person)
- AED 0
- residence (person)
- AED 850
- id receipt (person)
- AED 0
Provider displayed 33 days excluding bank review. Calendar versus business days is unconfirmed; this is not a delivery commitment and premises readiness or external approvals may change it.
Still to confirm before a complete budget
- Actual premises rent, deposit, VAT and fit-out
- Operational equipment, inventory, staff and transport
- Unverified licensing additions and memberships
- Required health insurance where absent
- Professional qualifications, project permits and other scope-specific approvals
- Bank charges and balances
- Renewal
Travel AgencyAED 29,030Third-party provider subtotal
Outbound ticket sales and related services. Confirm the activity scope, aviation approval, premises and qualifications for your business.
Observed component amounts below may cover different selections. They are not an additive quote; zero means the provider listed no separate charge for that line.
- trade name (company)
- AED 620
- initial approval (company)
- AED 120
- ejari (company)
- AED 525
- moa (company)
- AED 400
- licence (company)
- AED 16,620
- civil aviation approval (company)
- AED 6,520
- establishment (company)
- AED 750
- entry (person)
- AED 1,180
- status change (person)
- AED 675
- medical application (person)
- AED 320
- id application (person)
- AED 450
- medical attendance (person)
- AED 0
- biometrics (person)
- AED 0
- residence (person)
- AED 850
- id receipt (person)
- AED 0
Provider displayed 28 days excluding bank review. Calendar versus business days is unconfirmed; this is not a delivery commitment and premises readiness or external approvals may change it.
Still to confirm before a complete budget
- Actual premises rent, deposit, VAT and fit-out
- Operational equipment, inventory, staff and transport
- Unverified licensing additions and memberships
- Required health insurance where absent
- Professional qualifications, project permits and other scope-specific approvals
- Bank charges and balances
- Renewal
Setup steps and timing
This is the general Normal Licence preparation route. Activity approvals can affect several stages. Instant Licence has a different process; confirm its conditions separately. Residency and banking have their own timing.
Define your activity
List the services or products you will sell and where you will operate. Use the official activity description to check the scope.
What to prepare for this stage
- Prepare
- A short business description, intended customers and operating locations.
- Aim to leave with
- An activity shortlist, with any scope or approval questions recorded.
Choose the company structure
Confirm which legal forms and ownership arrangements fit the activity. The LLC licence examples cover one or two expat owners; other structures need their own assessment.
What to prepare for this stage
- Prepare
- Owner count, nationalities, individual or company shareholders and UAE residence status.
- Aim to leave with
- A legal form and ownership arrangement confirmed for your activity.
Arrange the name and initial approval
Prepare the application documents and proposed trade names. Name reservation and initial approval are separate steps; the name can be reserved first.
What to prepare for this stage
- Prepare
- Proposed names and the applicable identity and company documents.
- Aim to leave with
- Name reservation and initial approval as required by your selected route, with conditions understood.
Confirm premises and permissions
Check activity-specific approvals and premises suitability before committing to rent or fit-out. Arrange the tenancy and Ejari documentation required for your route.
What to prepare for this stage
- Prepare
- Premises type, location, rent budget and the list of additional approvals to check.
- Aim to leave with
- The premises documentation and approvals required by your selected route.
Complete the licence application
Submit the final documents and applicable approvals. Review the current fee assessment against your exact activity and structure before payment.
What to prepare for this stage
- Prepare
- Initial approval, constitutional documents where applicable and additional approvals.
- Aim to leave with
- The company licence, with its permitted activities and conditions checked.
Plan residency and banking
If you need residence visas, confirm the owner or employee route, company registrations and applicant steps separately. Ask your chosen bank for its business-account checklist.
What to prepare for this stage
- Prepare
- Visa needs, current UAE status and questions for the immigration provider and bank.
- Aim to leave with
- Separate residency and banking plans, with appointments and documents identified.
Prepare for the first renewal
Ask for a renewal breakdown alongside the setup quote. Record licence, tenancy, membership, permit and immigration renewals that apply to your business.
What to prepare for this stage
- Prepare
- Recurring fee lines, due dates and the person responsible for each obligation.
- Aim to leave with
- A renewal calendar and recurring budget to review before committing.
Preparation sequence based on the Dubai Government setup guide and our mainland research. Steps 6–7 are planning prompts. Your activity and applicant profile determine the final sequence and timing.
Required documents
Initial approval 2 documents
- Passport or Emirates ID copy and applicant residence permit/visa copy, as listed in the official overview; confirm applicability to your profile.
- Company constitutional documents and any legal-form-specific attachments; confirm the exact checklist for your structure.
Branches 2 documents
- Foreign and free-zone branches: parent company licence. Other-emirate branches: parent board resolution, managing-director authorisation, commercial registration and memorandum.
- Foreign documents require attestation and Arabic legal translation; confirm the route for the issuing country.
Premises 2 documents
- Ejari trustee channel: original unified tenancy contract, applicant Emirates ID and power of attorney when represented.
- Confirm the company tenant's eligible channel: the service page's app terms and company-document wording differ.
Final licence 1 document
- Initial approval receipt, memorandum where applicable and any additional approvals. Confirm the checklist for your legal form and activity.
Licences and activities
Licence types
Explore business activities
We publish 9 activity guides for this jurisdiction. This is our guide coverage, not the authority’s full activity list.
Accounting & Bookkeeping
Activity guide
Businessmen Administrative Services
Activity guide
Computer Systems Consultancies
Activity guide
Ecommerce
Activity guide
General Trading
Activity guide
Information Technology Consultants
Activity guide
Official activity scopes
Explore the 6 official activity scopes reviewed in our research. These route observations use one expat owner and a single-owner LLC. Check other ownership arrangements separately.
6 of 6 researched activities
Computer Systems & Communication Equipment Software Design6201001 · ProfessionalView scopeClose
Design, implement and maintain computer software, including mobile applications.
Normal and Instant Licence routes appeared for this scenario.
Check this activity with Invest in DubaiGeneral Trading4690018 · CommercialView scopeClose
Import, trade and re-export permitted goods.
Normal and Instant Licence routes appeared for this scenario.
- Goods requiring special approvals need an NOC from the competent authority.
Accounting & Bookkeeping6920003 · ProfessionalView scopeClose
Set up accounting systems, documents, records and bookkeeping processes for businesses.
Normal and Instant Licence routes appeared for this scenario.
- This activity does not permit examining or auditing accounts.
Management Consultancies7020003 · ProfessionalView scopeClose
Advise organizations on performance, processes, structure, policies and strategy.
Normal and Instant Licence routes appeared for this scenario.
- The official activity description lists a bachelor's degree in business or economics and three years of practical experience.
- Field surveys and questionnaires require approval from the competent authority.
Marketing Management7320002 · ProfessionalView scopeClose
Advise and assist businesses with marketing, pricing, distribution and digital promotion.
Normal and Instant Licence routes appeared for this scenario.
- This activity does not permit selling the products or services being promoted.
Real Estate Buying & Selling Brokerage6820004 · ProfessionalView scopeClose
Act as an intermediary between property owners and buyers for an agreed commission.
Normal Licence appeared for this scenario; Instant Licence was not applicable.
- Confirm the separate DLD/RERA company and individual permissions before operating.
Visa and office options
Facility options
Remote paperwork
Remote setup eligibility and any in-person steps depend on the activity and applicant; not verified here.
Looked at dubai.ae, dubailand.gov.ae
Visa options
- Visa eligibility, quota, documents and fees have not been verified for your scenario; confirm separately from company licensing.
Renewal costs
Renewal needs a current licence assessment, premises, membership and any permits or immigration renewals due that year. Historical fee schedules do not establish a current total.
Practical considerations
- DET is the mainland registration and licensing authority.
- The official setup sequence includes activity/licence selection, legal form, ownership eligibility and additional approvals.
- Most activities allow full foreign ownership, with exceptions requiring an activity-specific check.
- Initial approval and trade-name reservation are distinct steps; the name may be reserved before initial approval.
- A service transaction time is not a complete business setup timeline.
Alternatives
Turn the research into your next step
Mark what you have prepared, then download the checklist for your setup conversation. Your selections stay on this page until you leave or reload.
0 of 7 prepared
This tracks your preparation. It does not confirm application readiness or approval.
Sources
| Claim | Access | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| identity | Published page | Official | dubai.ae checked 2026-09-06 |
| premises | Published page | Official | dubailand.gov.ae checked 2026-09-06 |
Known gaps
Activity-specific provider breakdowns and official fee components are available. A complete first-year total still needs your activity, legal form, premises and visa requirements.
pricing · not found in first pass
Renewal needs a current licence assessment, premises, membership and any permits or immigration renewals due that year. Historical fee schedules do not establish a current total.
renewal · not found in first pass
A complete owner-residency timeline still needs confirmation for the selected visa route, applicant status, medical and biometrics appointments.
timeline · not found in first pass
FAQ
What does the observed mainland subtotal include?
The activity breakdowns show dated provider calculator selections, including an owner-visa sequence where priced. They are not authority invoices. Rent, fit-out, approvals, insurance and other scenario costs may remain unpriced; obtain an itemised quote and renewal breakdown.
Can I use an employee visa fee for an owner visa?
Confirm the exact residence route and term. Employee permits do not establish an ordinary owner or partner visa price. Count company establishment registrations once, then separate each person's processing, medical, ID and insurance costs.
Is mainland always better than a free zone?
Compare the exact activity, operating locations, permissions, premises and total recurring costs. We have not established that either route is universally cheaper or faster.
Do I need a local sponsor?
Dubai's official setup overview says most activities allow full foreign ownership, with exceptions. Verify the exact activity and structure before deciding that a partner is or is not required.
Does a licence cover every approval?
Some activities require additional authorisations. Separate the company licence from permissions for people, premises, products or particular operations; confirm which apply to your business.
Free zone or mainland?
Compare the activity, operating permissions, premises and recurring costs for your plans. Confirm current service availability with Dubai Setup Index separately from route eligibility.