Company Formation in the UAE: Costs, Jurisdictions and the 2026 Process
UAE company formation splits three ways, and choosing wrongly is expensive to undo. A free zone gives full foreign ownership at the lowest entry cost and suits businesses selling internationally or serving clients outside the UAE. Mainland lets you trade directly with the UAE market, open retail premises and bid for government contracts, but requires physical premises. Offshore registries such as RAK ICC hold assets and shares — they carry no residence visas and cannot trade inside the UAE. The right answer follows from where your customers are and what you need to be able to do, not from which emirate carries the most prestige.
Who this is for
Founders comparing jurisdictions across the UAE before choosing an emirate.
Who this is for: Founders comparing jurisdictions across the UAE before choosing an emirate.
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.
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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We do not publish a headline price, because the figure that matters depends on decisions you have not made yet.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
SPC Free Zone
Low-cost Sharjah setup, quick licensing, multi-activity bundles, publishing, consulting
View detailsSharjah Media City (Shams)
Media, content, freelancer, consulting, SME and startup formations in Sharjah
View detailsRAKEZ — Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone
Value SME to industrial, all-inclusive packaging, e-commerce/trading, flexibility over prestige
View detailsMeydan Free Zone
Fast digital setup in Dubai, multi-activity founder businesses, consulting, e-commerce, light trading, startup teams
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 detailsADGM — Abu Dhabi Global Market
Regulated finance, fintech, funds, family offices, private wealth, holding structures, sophisticated governance
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
Decide free zone, mainland or offshore
Free zone for international and B2B services. Mainland for direct UAE market access and government contracts. Offshore for holding assets only.
- 2
Choose the emirate
Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah lead on cost. Dubai leads on trade, logistics and brand. Abu Dhabi leads on regulated finance, industry and energy.
- 3
Confirm the activity and visa quota
Activity determines the licensing authority, any additional approvals, and how many visas your package allows.
- 4
Reserve the name and submit documents
Passports, application, shareholder details, and attested corporate documents where a company is a shareholder.
- 5
Receive licence and establishment card
From a single business day in the fastest Dubai zones, and longer wherever physical facilities are allocated as part of the process.
- 6
Register for corporate tax and open banking
FTA corporate tax registration is mandatory even at a 0% expected rate. Banking is assessed separately on substance.