Ramadan is a time of giving, and we’re giving back!
Get your Golden Visa, business setup, or tax & accounting services—and enjoy a luxury Eid getaway for two plus a premium workspace for a month, on us!
How Much Does Business Setup In Dubai Cost?
That depends. What is your business activity? Free zone or mainland? How many visas or shareholders? From our experience with business setup in Dubai for over 80,000 entrepreneurs, we have created the Business Setup Cost Calculator to give you the answer.
Already own a business?
Simplify your operations with our end-to-end suite of corporate services
Corporate Tax & VAT
Expert advice ensures compliance with Corporate Tax and VAT obligations with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).
Bank Account Opening
Easily open business or personal bank accounts with the UAE’s trusted banks.
Accounting & Payroll
Our accountants manage finances, providing bookkeeping, reconciliation, payroll, and audit support, saving hiring costs.
Compliance Services
Our experts guide you through complex UAE regulatory requirements, including ESR reports and UBO filings.
Golden Visa
Obtain a UAE Golden Visa for long-term residency with a seamless application process.
PRO Services
Delegate admin tasks to our PRO team, focusing on your business while saving time and money.
Legal Services
Legal team advises on UAE’s laws regarding M&As, corporate restructuring, financing, and dispute resolution.
Explore more of our corporate services
Should you undertake business setup in Dubai yourself?
Wondering if you can start a Dubai company yourself? You can. But there are some things you need to know.
There is a multitude of options.
With over 60 jurisdictions, how do you know which is the right one for your Dubai company? How do you make sure you’re choosing the right licence and business activity? Don’t let your business setup in Dubai be a trial-and-error process.
There is a mountain of paperwork.
Starting a Dubai company involves tonnes of paperwork. Think forms, applications, banking and legal requirements – and that is just the start.
It is not easy.
Liaising with the relevant authorities and government departments alone takes time and travel miles. Lots of both.
You might save money – but at what cost?
What is your time worth? Are you outstanding with detail? Can you afford to hit pause on your business plans to fill out forms or attend more meetings?
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
OR
Business setup in Dubai – the VIP Innovation Business way.
Our time-tested process saves you time and money, while removing the headaches of beginning your journey. We know the game. We have the networks. We are the leaders in this space.
Since 2009, our company formation experts have helped more than 80,000 business owners and founders with business setup in Dubai. We’ve done the heavy lifting and helped them navigate a myriad of options, while they focus on their exciting new Dubai company. Our process saves you time and money, while removing the headaches of beginning your journey. Make sure you get set up the right way!
Find out why over 80,000 entrepreneurs have entrusted their business with us.
What setup option is best for your business?
Business setup in Dubai (or anywhere in the UAE) can be complicated.
Decisions need to be made which can affect your journey and shape your success.
Jurisdiction? Free zone or mainland?
Free Zones
- Retain 100% ownership of your Dubai company
- 0% corporate and income tax rate
- No custom duties
- Option to repatriate 100% of your capital and profits
Mainland
- Business activities not limited
- Operate anywhere inside and outside the country
- No limit on number of visas
The process of business setup in Dubai
With VIP Innovation Business as your company formation partner, registering a company in the UAE is not only easy, but it’s the most cost-effective way to do it! In fact, the entire process can take as little as 24 hours! That’s right! All you have to do is supply us with the relevant information about your company and we do the rest. Here’s our time-tested process:
1. Prepare Documentation
If you’re an overseas entrepreneur starting up in a new country for the first time, the documentation process can be daunting. We help you to make the right decisions for your Dubai company and handle all of the complex paperwork.
2. Business Licence
Choosing the right licence and applying for it are essential to getting your business setup in Dubai right. Having an in-depth understanding of the dos and don’ts around setting up your business licence will help you to avoid the common traps we see people fall into. For instance, some business categories require prior approvals from certain authorities. A company formation expert will guide you through the necessary requirements to start your business.
3. Visa Process
Private companies can obtain new employment entry permits for their employees provided they apply for residence visa status within 30 days of the employee’s entry into the UAE.
4. Bank Account
Setting up a corporate bank account in the UAE can be a little arduous for international entrepreneurs. It requires careful consideration and there are several boxes to tick to ensure you have everything in place before approaching your bank of choice.
FAQs
Our team of experts fields common questions from people all over the globe about company formation in the UAE.
So many reasons! Here’s a list of the most common ones:
- The UAE government actively promotes businesses as part of its long-term economic stability plan?
- Dubai offers a tax-friendly environment and competitive labor and financing costs.
- It has no foreign exchange controls, trade barriers, or quotas.
- Dubai is strategically placed for doing business, with easy access to 1.5 billion consumers in Africa, West Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
- Our world-class transport links also make it an easy place to attract business to.
- In terms of business setup, the process is straightforward and affordable.
- Dubai has a large pool of highly educated talent and world-class infrastructure, making it ideal for startups.
- Its high standard of living combined with unparalleled safety measures makes Dubai an alluring destination for global talent.
- Conducting market research in Dubai is simplified due to clear procedures and robust legal frameworks.
Fortunately, Dubai’s economy was deliberately engineered to boost local business growth and innovation. Through the DED, the UAE government not only promotes entrepreneurship but also ensures economy insurance activities, offering incentives like low corporate taxes and easy business setups.
This focus earns the UAE a 16th placement in the global Ease of Doing Business Index. With a dynamic economy, Dubai magnetizes various industries and, thanks to its strategic location, offers access to extensive markets spanning East and West. The city’s free zones, including DWTC, JAFZA, and RAKEZ, amplify opportunities, while initiatives like Scale2Dubai provide funding for scaling ventures.
From a high level, to start a business in Dubai, you’ll want to follow these steps:
- Business Idea: Define your business idea and target market.
- Business Plan: Draft a comprehensive plan detailing objectives, market analysis, and financial projections.
- Legal Structure: Decide between Free Zone, Mainland, or Offshore company structures.
- Trade Name: Pick a name compliant with the Department of Economic Development (DED) regulations.
- Business License: Depending on your activities, apply for a commercial, professional, or industrial license.
- Documentation: Submit required documents like passport, visa, and a No Objection Certificate (for expats) to the relevant authorities.
- Office Space: Secure a physical address, essential for registration.
- Corporate Bank Account: After getting your license, choose a bank that aligns with your business needs and open an account.
- Visas: If hiring, process employee visas. The number is often determined by office size and license type.
- Operational Setup: With administrative tasks done, set up operations and embark on your business journey.
Note: Requirements might vary based on your specific new business setup, so make sure you thoroughly research the next steps for your chosen structure.