What drives company setup costs in the UAE
Authority fees and free zone packages change regularly, so the sensible comparison is not headline figures from other websites but the make-up of the costs. A first-year budget usually covers:
- licence and registration — authority fees or the free zone package, name reservation, issue of documents;
- office — flexi-desk, shared office or dedicated premises; on the mainland, a registered lease (Ejari in Dubai);
- establishment card — the company's immigration registration, needed before any visa;
- visas — per resident: entry permit, medical test, biometrics, Emirates ID, health insurance;
- additional approvals for regulated activities;
- translation and legalisation of documents issued outside the UAE;
- bank account — many banks set a minimum balance or charge a fee if it isn't maintained.
Annual costs after registration
When choosing a jurisdiction, look beyond the set-up price to the yearly renewal:
- licence and establishment card renewal;
- office or flexi-desk rent;
- visa renewals as they fall due;
- bookkeeping and, in many free zones, a mandatory annual audit;
- Corporate Tax returns and, if registered, VAT returns;
- corporate changes: new manager, share transfers, extra activities.
More on ongoing duties in after company registration.
How free zones differ in pricing
UAE free zones package their services differently. When comparing, check:
- package or à la carte — whether the office, establishment card and visas are included;
- number of activities per licence and whether trading and services can be combined;
- visa allocation — how many visas the package allows and how this scales with office space;
- share capital requirements and whether proof of deposit is needed;
- audit — whether an annual audit is mandatory;
- multi-year discounts and renewal prices;
- access to the UAE market — since 2025, Dubai free zone companies can operate on the mainland via a separate permit or branch, which is an extra cost.
Free zone groups compared
A general comparison without exact figures, which depend on the package and filing date. For the full list see the free zone catalogue.
| Group | Examples | Cost level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern emirates free zones | SHAMS, RAKEZ, Ajman Free Zone, UAQ FTZ, Creative City Fujairah | usually below average | consultancy, online businesses, small trading companies |
| Dubai multi-activity free zones | IFZA, Meydan Free Zone | mid-range | services and trading with a Dubai address |
| Major Dubai sector zones | DMCC, JAFZA, DAFZA, Dubai South | mid-range and above | trading, logistics, warehousing, international groups |
| Financial centres | DIFC, ADGM | high | financial services, holdings, family offices, funds |
What often tips the balance is not the set-up price but visas, office space, audit and how banks and counterparties view the zone.
Our fees
Company registration is a fixed-price project from AED 5,000. The estimate separates our fee from authority fees, the free zone package or office rent, visas and translations — agreed before work starts, with no surprises later. A one-off consultation on choosing a jurisdiction starts at AED 750 for 60 minutes and is credited if you go ahead. See all rates under pricing. Not sure about the structure yet? Start with Free Zone vs Mainland vs Offshore.
FAQ
It depends on the jurisdiction, number of visas, office and activity. After the diagnosis we send an itemised estimate; our fee starts at AED 5,000.
Advertised prices often cover only the licence, not the establishment card, visas, office or bank costs. Compare the full first-year budget and the renewal.
Northern emirates zones are usually cheaper to start, but real value depends on visas, bank requirements and where your customers are.
Yes, we offer several lawful payment options and agree the most convenient one at the first consultation.