Business Setup in Dubai: Free Zones, Mainland and the 2026 Process
Dubai offers two genuinely different routes, and the cheaper one on paper is not always the cheaper one for your business. A free zone licence gives you full foreign ownership, a flexi-desk usually satisfies the facility requirement, and the zone authority handles registration end to end — the fastest zones issue in a single business day. Mainland costs more and requires physical premises on a registered Ejari tenancy, but it lets you sell directly into the UAE market and bid for government contracts without appointing a distributor. Which works out cheaper depends on your activity, your visa count and your facility, not on a zone's advertised entry price.
Who this is for
Founders comparing Dubai free zones and mainland before committing to a jurisdiction.
Who this is for: Founders comparing Dubai free zones and mainland before committing to a jurisdiction.
Key caution: Prices are indicative and may change without notice. Final setup cost depends on business activity, licence type, legal structure, shareholder count, visa allocation, office/facility requirement, establishment card, immigration file, medical, Emirates ID, insurance, approvals, government fees, renewal terms and current authority offers. Always verify the final quote with the relevant authority or authorised partner before payment.
Get a costed setup plan
Tell us what you're planning and we'll send a transparent breakdown within 24 hours.
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What your setup actually costs
We do not publish a headline price, because the figure that matters depends on decisions you have not made yet. Anyone quoting you a single number before asking these questions is guessing.
Your business activity
The activity decides which authorities can licence you at all, whether a regulator has to approve you first, and how many visas you are allowed.
How many visas you need
Visa quota is tied to your package tier and facility. Buying the right tier upfront is consistently cheaper than upgrading later.
Facility type
A flexi-desk, a serviced office and a warehouse are different orders of cost. Mainland companies generally need physical premises with a registered Ejari tenancy.
Free zone, mainland or offshore
This single decision drives ownership, where you are allowed to trade, and whether you can sponsor residence visas at all.
What the quote leaves out
Licence fees are rarely the whole bill. Establishment card, immigration file, medical testing, Emirates ID and insurance are usually charged separately.
Tell us what you are planning and we will come back with an itemised written quote — every line visible, nothing bundled.
Compare the zones
JAFZA — Jebel Ali Free Zone
Large-scale trade, re-export, manufacturing, warehousing, port linkage, foreign branches, selected offshore structures
View detailsMeydan Free Zone
Fast digital setup in Dubai, multi-activity founder businesses, consulting, e-commerce, light trading, startup teams
View detailsDubai South Business Hub Free Zone
Startups, SMEs, service-led businesses wanting a structured planning flow with the Dubai South Business Hub package
View detailsIFZA — International Free Zone Authority
SMEs, consultants, holding structures, flexible partner-driven company formation in Dubai
View detailsDMCC — Dubai Multi Commodities Centre
Trading, commodities, international SME hubs, premium Dubai operating presence, consulting and holding structures
View detailsDIFC — Dubai International Financial Centre
Financial services, fintech, venture studios, innovation-led startups in premium Dubai ecosystem
View detailsThe process, step by step
- 1
Choose free zone or mainland
Free zone gives full foreign ownership and a faster, cheaper licence. Mainland lets you trade directly with the UAE market and bid for government work.
- 2
Confirm your business activity
Your activity determines which authority can licence you, whether extra approvals apply, and what your visa quota will be.
- 3
Reserve the trade name
Names are checked against the register and against restricted words before approval.
- 4
Submit documents and pay
Passport copies, application forms and shareholder details. Some activities need additional regulatory approval.
- 5
Receive the licence and establishment card
The licence is the trading document. The establishment card lets you apply for visas.
- 6
Open the bank account
Banking is a separate process with its own approval. Expect compliance questions about your transaction narrative and source of funds.