Business Setup in Dubai & the UAE
Everything to start or move a business to the UAE in 2026 — compare free zones, estimate your cost, and understand licences, tax and visas. Or search 2,000+ activities below.
Setting up a business in the UAE means choosing a jurisdiction (free zone or mainland), a licence for your activity, and a residence visa. A free zone gives you 100% ownership and low cost — from around AED 6,000 — and lets you trade in-zone and internationally; the mainland lets you trade directly across the UAE. Most licences are issued in a few working days, and there is no personal income tax.
Popular guides & tools
Free, up-to-date answers to what founders ask most — no sign-up.
How to Start a Business
Step-by-step UAE setup guide
Cost Calculator
Estimate your setup cost in seconds
Free Zone Finder
Find your best-fit zone in 30s
Visa Eligibility Checker
Golden / Green — do you qualify?
UAE Free Zones
All zones compared by cost & activity
Free Zone vs Mainland
Which is right for your business
Cheapest Free Zone
Lowest-cost licences, ranked
Corporate Tax & Free Zones
9% vs 0% — what you actually pay
Golden Visa Cost
Fees & 10-year visa breakdown
UAE Visa Types
Golden, Green, investor & more
Move Your Company to Dubai
Relocate a business to the UAE
Family Office
DIFC / ADGM wealth structures
Business Bank Account
Banks, documents & how to open
Freelance Visa & Permit
Work solo, from ~AED 5,500
Dubai vs Abu Dhabi
Which emirate to set up in
Best Setup Consultants
Honest 2026 comparison
How Long It Takes
Setup timeline, stage by stage
Set up by sector
The fastest-growing UAE business types in 2026.
Browse by licence type
Free zones by emirate
Dubai Free Zones
IFZA, Meydan, DMCC, DAFZA
Abu Dhabi Free Zones
ADGM, Masdar City, KEZAD, twofour54
Sharjah Free Zones
SHAMS, SAIF Zone, Hamriyah, SPC
Ajman Free Zones
Ajman Free Zone, Ajman Media City
Ras Al Khaimah Free Zones
RAKEZ, RAK DAO, RAK ICC
Fujairah Free Zones
Fujairah Free Zone, Creative City
Umm Al Quwain Free Zones
UAQ Free Trade Zone
Why My Business Setup
Experienced specialists
Clear guidance on jurisdiction, cost drivers, visa quotas and timelines — tailored to your activity.
Fast, transparent setup
Straightforward steps and documents. We flag the pitfalls so you avoid delays.
End-to-end support
From name reservation to Emirates ID — a single point of contact throughout.
Get your free setup guide
Tell us a little about your plans and we will email a free, personalised breakdown — likely cost, the right jurisdiction and the steps involved. Information only, no obligation.
UAE business setup — FAQs
How much does it cost to set up a business in the UAE?
From about AED 6,000 for a budget free zone licence with no visa, and roughly AED 12,500–35,000 in the first year for a small company with one visa and an office. Use our free cost calculator for your exact estimate.
Is a free zone or mainland better?
Choose a free zone for 100% ownership, low cost and online/international business; choose mainland to trade directly across the UAE market or bid for government contracts. Both now allow 100% ownership for most activities.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a UAE company?
Yes — free zones give 100% foreign ownership, and most mainland activities do too. A few strategic activities still require a local partner or agent.
How long does it take to set up?
A free zone licence is often issued within 2–5 working days once documents are ready, with residence visas following in about 1–2 weeks.
Do UAE companies pay tax?
There is 9% corporate tax on profits above AED 375,000, and free zone companies can keep 0% on qualifying income as a Qualifying Free Zone Person. There is no personal income tax.