What decides the cost?
Five choices drive almost all of your first-year budget:
- Jurisdiction. A free zone is usually cheapest, mainland costs more, and offshore sits in between but has no visas.
- Business activity. Some activities cost more to license or need extra approvals, for example food, healthcare or financial services.
- Number of residence visas. Each visa adds a fixed cost, and more visas can mean a bigger office.
- Office type. A flexi-desk is often included in free zone packages; mainland companies need a registered office with Ejari.
- Extras. Bank account help, bookkeeping, tax registration and trademark protection.
Cost breakdown, item by item
| Item | When you pay it | Indicative cost |
|---|---|---|
| Free zone licence and registration | Setup, then yearly | from AED 5,750 |
| Mainland DET licence and registration | Setup, then yearly | from AED 15,500 |
| Offshore registration | Setup, then yearly | from AED 9,800 |
| Residence visa (per person) | Setup, then every 2 years | about AED 3,750 |
| Shared office with Ejari (mainland) | Yearly | from AED 8,000 |
| Private office | Yearly | from AED 22,000 |
| Corporate bank account assistance | Once | AED 1,500 |
| Corporate tax and VAT registration | Once | AED 1,200 |
| Bookkeeping, first 12 months | Monthly or yearly | from AED 6,000 |
| Trademark registration (1 class) | Once, renew every 10 years | about AED 7,500 |
These are typical figures including government fees. Your exact quote depends on the authority and activity, and we itemise every government fee separately in writing.
Three real budget examples
1. Remote founder, no visa: about AED 6,950
A consultant or online seller who wants a UAE company but isn't relocating yet. Free zone licence, registered address and corporate tax registration. This is our Spark plan.
2. Relocating founder with a partner: about AED 15,950
A free zone company with a flexi-desk, 2 residence visas, help opening a bank account, and tax registration. This is our Glow plan.
3. Local business with a small team: about AED 42,250
A mainland company with a shared office and Ejari, 3 residence visas, bank account help and first-year bookkeeping. Suits cafés, agencies and contractors. This is our Radiance plan.
Want your own number? Use the cost estimator. It updates as you change jurisdiction, visas, office and add-ons.
Yearly running costs
Budget for these after your first year:
- Licence renewal, usually close to the original licence fee
- Office or flexi-desk renewal
- Visa renewals, typically every two years per person
- Bookkeeping and corporate tax return, filed every year even if no tax is due
- Audit, if your free zone, bank or tax position requires audited accounts
Costs people forget
- Attestation of degrees or company documents issued outside the UAE
- Express medical tests if you need your visa faster
- Minimum balance requirements on some business bank accounts
- Special approvals for regulated activities
- Security deposits for visas or office leases
How to keep costs down
- Start in a free zone if most of your customers are outside the UAE.
- Choose only the visas you need now. You can add more later.
- Group related activities under one licence instead of buying several.
- Compare multi-year licence offers, which some free zones discount.
- Get every fee in writing before you pay, including renewals.
Figures are indicative and include typical government fees at the time of writing. Authorities change fees regularly, so your written quote confirms current prices.
