Every Dubai business setup site has a headline price. "Set up your company from AED 5,555." "Mainland license from AED 12,900." Those numbers aren't wrong — they're just incomplete. What you actually pay depends on your activity, how many visas you need, what kind of office you take, and a handful of downstream fees that never show up in the flyer.
Why flat prices are misleading
A trade license is only one line item on the invoice. Activity approvals from external ministries, visa counts, office type (flexi-desk vs. physical), and any special activity permissions all change the total. A "from AED 5,555" price usually assumes zero visas, a flexi-desk, and one activity in a low-cost zone. That's a real quote — it just isn't a real business setup for most people.
Free Zone ballpark
AED 5,555 – 15,000+ for the first year, depending on the zone, visa count and office. Budget zones like IFZA or RAKEZ sit at the lower end for a zero- or one-visa flexi-desk package. Add 2–3 visas or move to a premium zone like DMCC and you climb quickly.
Mainland ballpark
AED 15,000 – 30,000+ for the first year, depending on activity, office (Ejari-registered), MOA drafting and any external approvals. Some regulated activities push the total significantly higher because of additional ministry approvals.
Offshore ballpark
AED 12,000 – 20,000 depending on jurisdiction (JAFZA Offshore, RAK ICC, Ajman Offshore). Offshore companies can't operate inside the UAE — they're for holding assets, international trade and IP structures — so the fees are lower but so is the scope.
Hidden costs people forget
- Medical fitness tests for each visa
- Emirates ID for each visa
- Corporate bank account opening (some banks charge introduction fees)
- Establishment card / immigration card fees
- Tawtheeq or Ejari for mainland setups
- Attestation of shareholder documents if you're incorporating from abroad
Any company quoting you a single number without asking about your activity first is either oversimplifying or hiding add-ons. A proper quote should list the license, office, visa allocation, external approvals and setup-related fees line by line — so you know what you're paying for.
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These are indicative ranges based on 2025 market rates. Actual costs vary by activity, jurisdiction, and requirements. Contact us for a fixed quote specific to your case.