Business Setup in Dubai:
100% Ownership, One Expert Team
Maven& Business Solutions handles business setup in Dubai from start to finish: choosing between Free Zone, Mainland and Offshore, reserving your trade name, securing approvals, issuing your trade licence, processing investor and employee visas, and introducing you to UAE banks. As business setup consultants in Dubai, we explain every cost upfront, so you know the full price of company formation in Dubai before you commit.
- 100% foreign ownership for most activities
- Transparent, itemised pricing
- Licence, visa and bank support in one place
- Get your free setup quote
- Trusted business setup partner in Dubai
Free zones we set up
RAKEZ, Meydan, IFZA, SHAMS and SPC, plus mainland licensing through Dubai DET.
Company structures
Free Zone, Mainland and Offshore, matched to where your customers are.
Foreign ownership for most activities
Free zone, offshore and most mainland activities can be fully owned by foreign founders, with no local partner needed.
Not sure which structure fits your business?
- Your setup options
Choose the right structure for your business setup in Dubai
Free Zone Company Setup
A free zone company gives you 100% foreign ownership, 0% customs duty and fast licensing inside a designated zone such as DMCC, IFZA or SHAMS. It suits consultants, e-commerce, tech and trading businesses serving international clients. Qualifying income can benefit from 0% corporate tax when all Qualifying Free Zone Person conditions are met.
Mainland Company Setup (DET)
A mainland company is licensed by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DED) and can trade anywhere in the UAE, including with government entities. Since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law amendments, most activities allow 100% foreign ownership without a local partner. Best for retail, contracting, restaurants and local services.
Offshore Company Formation
An offshore company, for example JAFZA Offshore or RAK ICC, is a holding and asset-protection vehicle. It cannot trade inside the UAE or sponsor residence visas, but it can own property, hold shares and invoice international clients.
LLC Company Formation in Dubai
A Limited Liability Company is the most common legal form for mainland businesses, with limited liability for its shareholders. We draft the Memorandum of Association, handle notarisation and register your LLC with DET.
- Compare jurisdictions
Free Zone vs Mainland vs Offshore in Dubai
The right structure depends on where your customers are: a free zone for international clients, the mainland for UAE customers, and offshore for holding assets.
| Feature | Free Zone | Mainland (DET) | Offshore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign ownership | 100% | 100% for most activities | 100% |
| Trade in the UAE market | Inside the zone or via a distributor | Anywhere in the UAE | No |
| Residence visas | Yes, linked to office package | Yes, linked to office size | No |
| Office | Flexi-desk to full office | Physical office with Ejari | Registered agent only |
| Corporate tax | 0% on qualifying income (QFZP), otherwise 9% above AED 375,000 | 0% up to AED 375,000, 9% above | Depends on UAE-sourced income |
| Licensing authority | Free zone authority, e.g. DMCC, IFZA, SHAMS | Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) | Offshore registry, e.g. JAFZA, RAK ICC |
| Best for | Consultants, e-commerce, tech, international trading | Retail, contracting, F&B, local services | Holding companies and asset protection |
- Business setup packages
Business setup packages in Dubai
AED 1,599*
Mainland E-Trade Licence
- 100% foreign ownership
- Instant licence issuance
- No office required
- Ideal for online businesses
*Starting price. Final cost depends on your business activity, visas and office, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
AED 5,999*
RAKEZ Free Zone
- 100% foreign ownership
- Quick business setup
- Visa not included in this package
- Access to RAK free zone benefits
*Starting price. Final cost depends on your business activity, visas and office, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
AED 12,500*
Meydan Free Zone
- 100% foreign ownership
- Premium business address
- Visa not included in this package
- Business-friendly environment
*Starting price. Final cost depends on your business activity, visas and office, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
- How it works
How to set up a company in Dubai in 5 steps
Free consultation
We review your business activity, visa needs and budget, then recommend Free Zone, Mainland or Offshore.
Activity and trade name
We select the correct activity code and reserve your trade name with the licensing authority.
Approvals and documents
We prepare and submit your application, Memorandum of Association and initial approvals.
Trade licence issued
Your trade licence and establishment card are issued, with Ejari registration for mainland companies.
Visas and bank account
We process residence visas and introduce you to UAE banks suited to your activity and nationality.
Documents required for business setup in Dubai
Most business setups in Dubai need only a few documents to start. Send us what you have and we will tell you exactly what is missing for your jurisdiction and activity.
- Passport copy of every shareholder and manager
- Passport-size photograph on a white background
- UAE visa or entry stamp copy, if you are in the UAE
- Three proposed trade names, in order of preference
- A short description of your business activity
- Corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, MoA/AoA and board resolution, attested
- Mainland companies: Ejari-registered tenancy contract
Talk to a business setup consultant in Dubai today
- Why Maven&
Why choose Maven& as your business setup consultants in Dubai
One dedicated consultant
One consultant handles your trade licence, visas, Ejari and bank account introductions, so you never repeat yourself to a new team.
Transparent, itemised pricing
Every quote lists government fees, office, visa and service costs line by line, with no hidden extras after you sign.
The right activity code, first time
A wrong activity code is a common cause of later bank and compliance problems. We match your code to what you actually do.
Licence, visas and bank in one process
Company formation, residence visas, corporate tax registration and bank introductions are handled as one coordinated plan.
- Business setup FAQs
Business setup in Dubai: frequently asked questions
The cost of business setup in Dubai depends on your jurisdiction, business activity, number of visas and office type. It usually includes the trade licence fee, trade name and approvals, office, establishment card and visa costs. Every Maven& quote is itemised with no hidden fees.
Choose a free zone if your clients are outside the UAE or in free zones, a mainland licence if you will sell directly to UAE customers or bid for government contracts, and an offshore company if you only need a holding or asset-protection vehicle.
Yes. Free zone and offshore companies are 100% foreign-owned, and since the 2021 amendments to the UAE Commercial Companies Law, most mainland activities also allow 100% foreign ownership without an Emirati partner. A short list of strategic activities still carries ownership conditions, which we check before you apply.
Timelines depend on the jurisdiction and business activity. A free zone licence is usually the fastest route once your documents are complete, while a mainland licence takes longer because it needs trade name, initial approval and Ejari steps. Visas and the bank account follow after the licence.
For most business setups in Dubai you need passport copies of all shareholders and managers, a photo, three proposed trade names and your business activity. Corporate shareholders need attested incorporation documents, and mainland companies need an Ejari tenancy contract.
UAE corporate tax is 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above that, for financial years starting on or after 1 June 2023. Qualifying free zone persons can get 0% on qualifying income. Every company must register for corporate tax on the EmaraTax portal, even if it pays 0%.
Yes. Free zone and mainland companies can sponsor residence visas for owners, employees and family, with quotas tied to your office package or office size. Offshore companies cannot sponsor visas.
A consultant picks the correct activity code and jurisdiction, avoids rejected applications and bundles your licence, visas, Ejari and bank introductions into one process. That saves you time, repeat government fees and later compliance problems.
Ready to start your business setup in Dubai?
Get a clear, itemised quote and a setup plan built around your activity. Talk to a Maven& consultant today.
Explore Business Setup in Dubai
Browse every page in this section.
Business setup guides
