Blog
ADIL AHMAD
July 6, 2026
Dubai International Advisory Consultants
- +971 568072491
- AA2 504-03, Al Abbas Building 2, Bur Dubai, Dubai
Dubai International Advisory Consultants
14+ Years of Experience in Business Setup | 500+ Businesses Set Up
Start your company in Dubai with clear advice, transparent costs, and complete setup support. Our business setup consultants in Dubai handle company formation, trade licensing, and visa services, so you can focus on running your business, not chasing paperwork.
14+
Years Of Experience in
Business Setup
Dubai is one of the best places in the world to start a business. Most sectors now allow 100% foreign ownership, and there is no personal income tax. Dubai International Advisory Consultants (DIAC) is a specialist business setup company in Dubai, working with startups, international companies opening a regional office, and investors who want one trusted partner from the first call to licence delivery.
We match you to the right structure, free zone, mainland, or offshore, based on your activity, budget, and goals.
Company formation is only the first step. Our team supports the full lifecycle of your business, from setup to ongoing compliance, under one roof:
| Feature | Free Zone | Mainland | Offshore |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Foreign Ownership |
100% |
100% (since 2021) |
100% |
|
UAE Market Access |
Mainland trading arrangements depend on the activity, licence and applicable authority rules |
Direct, unrestricted |
Not permitted |
|
Government Contracts |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Physical Office |
Flexi-desk |
Required |
None needed |
|
Residence Visa |
Available (packaged) |
Available; quota depends on premises, activity and authority approval |
Not available |
|
Starting Cost (AED) |
From 12,500 |
From 15,000 |
From 8,500 |
|
Best For |
Startups, exporters |
Retail, local market |
Holding, asset protection |
Indicative figures, updated July 2026. Costs and visa quotas vary by authority, activity, and office requirement. Request a written quotation before applying.
Free zones like IFZA suit international businesses and startups. Mainland company formation is the right fit if you plan to sell directly to UAE customers. Offshore company formation works well for holding structures, with no physical office needed.
Under UAE law, foreign investors can now own 100% of most mainland companies without a local partner. Read the official rule on the UAE Government portal.
Not sure which option fits your business? Get a free structure recommendation
| Service | Starting From (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free Zone Company License | 12,500 | Flexi-desk; varies by free zone |
| Dubai Mainland LLC | 15,000/yr | Physical office required |
| Offshore Company (RAK ICC) | 8,500 | No office or UAE residency needed |
| Investor Residence Visa | 3,500 to 6,000 | Per visa; includes medical and Emirates ID |
| General Trading License | 15,000 to 25,000/yr | Multiple product categories, one license |
| UAE Golden Visa (10-year) | From 4,000 | Government fee only; medical, Emirates ID, and status adjustment costs are additional; eligibility applies |
| Full First-Year Estimate | AED 20,000 to 80,000 | Varies by structure, city, headcount |
Indicative figures, updated July 2026. Costs vary by authority, activity, visa status, office requirement, and government fee changes. Request a written quotation before applying.
A free zone setup with one visa typically totals an estimated AED 20,000 to 35,000 in the first year. A mainland company with an office and two visas typically totals an estimated AED 45,000 to 80,000. Government fees and attestation costs are additional.
Get an exact quote for your business
1. Choose your business activity
This decides your license type and ownership rights, confirmed before you pay any fees.
Free zone for international or lower-cost setups, mainland for UAE market access, offshore for holding structures.
Three name options submitted to the authority, ready in 1 to 2 working days.
4. Prepare documents
Passport copies, MOA, proof of address, and notarisation for mainland applications.
5. Submit application and receive trade license
Usually issued in 3 to 10 working days after full submission.
6. Process investor visa and Emirates ID
Entry permit, medical test, and Emirates ID, taking 7 to 14 more working days.
7. Open corporate bank account
We introduce you to banking partners who know your structure. Allow 3 to 6 weeks for approval.
Dubai offers 0% personal income tax and full repatriation of profits, with no capital controls. Under the standard UAE corporate tax framework, taxable income up to AED 375,000 is generally subject to a 0% rate, while taxable income above that threshold is generally subject to 9%. Different rules and conditions may apply to qualifying free-zone persons and certain entities. UAE free trade agreements with markets including India, Israel, and ASEAN countries give registered businesses added reach. You can check current corporate tax rules on the Federal Tax Authority website.
Company registration in Dubai is something you can do on your own, but the process runs across several authorities, and it helps to have someone who has done it before. Working with business setup consultants in Dubai means your documents are checked, your activity’s eligibility is confirmed upfront, and the authority submissions are managed on your behalf.
Adil Ahmad is a UAE business setup specialist at Dubai International Advisory Consultants with 14 years of experience in company formation in Dubai, DET trade licensing, free zone registration, and corporate compliance. He has advised international investors from more than 30 countries, guiding them through free zone, mainland, and offshore structures, visa processing, and post-setup compliance.
When you book a consultation, you speak with Adil or a consultant from his team directly, not a call centre.
Visit us: AA2 504-03, Al Abbas Building 2, Bur Dubai, Dubai, UAE
Got Questions? Contact Us
Get Free Consultation
Yes. Foreign nationals can own 100% of most mainland and all free zone companies in Dubai without a local sponsor. Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 removed the local partner requirement for most commercial activities. A small list of sectors, such as banking and defence, still requires local participation.
A basic free zone license starts from AED 12,500 a year. Adding one investor visa brings the first-year total to about AED 20,000 to 35,000. A mainland company with an office and two visas usually costs AED 45,000 to 80,000 in year one. There is no minimum share capital requirement for most LLC and free zone companies.
Free zone company formation is the fastest route. With a complete document set, digital-first free zones like Meydan and IFZA can issue a license in as few as 5 working days. Mainland licenses usually take 7 to 14 working days. A consultant removes the trial and error that stretches a self-managed setup to 4 to 8 weeks.
A business setup consultant focuses only on company formation and knows the day-to-day requirements of each authority and free zone, including which documents get rejected and why. A general lawyer or accountant may not have this hands-on, current knowledge, which is why most founders in Dubai choose a dedicated business setup consultant in Dubai for the setup phase.
It depends on your activity, budget, and visa needs. IFZA suits professional services and trading companies at competitive rates. Meydan is fast and digital-friendly for startups. DMCC is the top choice for commodity trading. Ajman Free Zone offers the lowest entry cost for basic trading setups.
No. Since 2021, local sponsors are no longer required for most mainland and free zone companies. 100% foreign ownership is now standard across commercial, professional, and service activities.
Free zone licenses: 5 to 10 working days. Mainland licenses: 7 to 14 working days. Visa and Emirates ID: 7 to 14 more working days. Bank account approval: 3 to 6 weeks after licensing. Total time from first consultation to a fully running business is usually 4 to 8 weeks.
A free zone company cannot trade directly with UAE consumers but can operate internationally without limits. It costs less to set up and does not need a physical office. A mainland company can serve UAE consumers directly, open retail locations, and bid on government contracts, but needs a physical office.
Yes. Most free zone company formations can be completed remotely. Mainland setups need MOA notarisation, often handled through your local UAE embassy. Visa processing needs one visit for the medical test and Emirates ID, which you can time with your first operational trip.
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