Business advisers reviewing Dubai company setup costs in an office

Cost guide for UK residents

Dubai Business Setup Cost for UK Residents

Planning a business setup in Dubai from the UK? The total cost depends on your business activity, company structure, licensing authority, office requirements and visa needs.

There is no single fee for every Dubai company. Some costs, such as trade name booking, have a published government fee. Others are calculated for your specific licence or depend on your premises and visa route. This guide separates official fee information from Jitendra Business Consultants’ advertised package prices so you can see what each figure covers.

Dubai company formation cost at a glance

ExpenseEstimated costFrequency
Trade licenceNo single standard price. Use the Invest in Dubai cost calculator; fees depend on the licence and activity.Annual; confirm renewal cost
Trade name bookingAED 620 through Invest in Dubai. This is one part of registration, not the full company formation cost.One-time
Office or workspaceDepends on the location, type of premises, lease and licensing requirements. Get a quote for the chosen setup.Usually annual or lease-based
Residence visaDepends on the visa route and applicant’s circumstances. For one specific route, Dubai GDRFA lists a AED 200 Green Residence permit fee for qualifying investors or partners, plus applicable charges. This is not an all-in visa price.Per applicant
Establishment cardICP lists applicable fee components including AED 100 application, AED 100 annual issuance and AED 100 smart services. A AED 2,000 electronic-system subscription is also listed for an applicable category. Confirm which fees apply to your company and authority.Category-dependent; some charges are annual
Other government feesNo standard total. Additional approvals, document requirements and service charges depend on the activity and legal structure.Varies

The official trade name booking service publishes a fee of AED 620. Dubai’s business set-up guidance directs applicants to the Invest in Dubai tool for a licence estimate, since costs depend on the chosen business requirements. Trade name booking Dubai business set-up guidance

The GDRFA fee above applies to a specific Green Residence investor or partner route and is subject to eligibility and approval. It should not be treated as the standard cost for every investor visa. Dubai GDRFA Green Residence permit fees ICP’s establishment card charges also depend on the selected service category; free zone companies apply through their relevant free zone authority. ICP establishment card service

Jitendra Business Consultants’ published setup packages

Jitendra Business Consultants currently lists the following indicative package prices on its website:

  • E-commerce licence from AED 5,750
  • Free zone licence from AED 13,500
  • Mainland licence from AED 15,000
  • A typical overall company setup range of AED 5,750 to AED 40,000, depending on the jurisdiction, licence type and visa requirements

These are Jitendra Business Consultants’ advertised package prices, not a universal Dubai government fee schedule. The site notes that prices are indicative and can vary by activity and jurisdiction. Confirm current inclusions, visa allocation, renewal charges and terms when requesting a quote.

What affects the cost of setting up a company in Dubai?

Business activity

Your licensed activity influences the licence type and whether additional approvals are required. Regulated or specialist activities may involve extra requirements. Dubai’s official setup guidance advises checking for additional approvals before applying.

Mainland or free zone

Mainland and free zone companies have different licensing routes and costs. Free zone fees vary by authority, package and facilities. Mainland licence costs depend on the activity, legal structure, premises and approvals required.

Office requirements

A flexi-desk, shared workspace, private office, retail unit or warehouse will affect your budget differently. Check the premises requirements for your licence before signing a lease.

Visa requirements

Your visa costs depend on the visa category, number of applicants and whether applicants are inside or outside the UAE. Medical checks, Emirates ID, insurance, status changes and processing charges may be separate from the residence permit fee.

Registration and other government charges

Trade name booking is one registration cost; it does not cover every formation step. Initial approvals, company documents, notarisation, Chamber membership or activity-specific permits may add to the total.

Budget for the full first year

When comparing Dubai company formation costs from the UK, ask for a written quote that separates:

  • Licence and registration charges
  • Office or workspace costs
  • Visa, medical and Emirates ID charges
  • Establishment card and immigration fees
  • Required approvals and document attestation
  • Consultant or professional service fees
  • Renewal costs and any optional services

A low headline price may cover only the licence. Ask what is included and what you will need to pay separately.

Get a cost estimate for your Dubai business setup

Tell us your planned business activities, preferred structure, office needs and visa requirements. Jitendra Business Consultants can review the available options and provide an itemised quote for your proposed setup.

Frequently Asked Questions