Protection from Abuse License: Cost, Documents & Timeline 2026
Content reviewed by My Business Setup Team, Business Setup Specialists.
Getting a Protection from Abuse is a practical route for founders who want a compliant way to start operations in the UAE. You can register on the Mainland or in a Free Zone. Timelines typically range from 5 to 10 working days once documents are ready. Initial visa quotas commonly start from 1 to 3 and scale with office allocation.
Who Should Consider a Protection from Abuse?
- Lean founders validating demand
- SMEs expanding services or adding a new revenue line
- Operators formalizing existing work under a UAE entity
What You Can and Cannot Do
Permitted scope depends on the exact wording of the activity and the issuing authority. Some tasks require separate approvals. Confirm fit for Protection from Abuse before applying.
How Much Does a Protection from Abuse License Cost?
For a Protection from Abuse License, expect AED 5,750 - 28,000 in a free zone and AED 14,000 - 28,000 on the mainland for year one, with the licence issued in roughly 5-10 working days once documents are ready. The lower end of each range is a single-activity licence with no staff visas in a low-cost emirate; the upper end reflects Dubai, extra activities, or a larger office.
| Item | Indicative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free-zone licence (year one) | AED 5,750 - 28,000 | Ajman, Fujairah, Sharjah, RAK and UAQ sit at the low end; Dubai zones at the high end |
| Mainland licence (year one) | AED 14,000 - 28,000 | Excludes the tenancy, which mainland requires separately |
| Establishment / immigration card | AED 1,200 - 2,000 | One-off, needed before any visa |
| Investor or partner visa (2 years) | AED 3,500 - 5,500 | Includes medical, Emirates ID and status change |
| Employee visa (2 years) | AED 4,000 - 6,500 | Per employee, plus deposit on mainland |
| Ejari tenancy (mainland only) | from AED 15,000 / year | Not required for a free-zone flexi desk |
| Corporate tax registration | No fee | 9% applies only on taxable profit above AED 375,000 |
| Annual licence renewal | 85 - 100% of year-one licence fee | Excludes one-off formation items |
Indicative market ranges for planning, not a quote. Government fees, zone packages and external approvals change; confirm current figures before you apply.
Approvals you should budget time for
Usually none beyond the trade licence. This is the part that moves the timeline, not the licence itself.
Expect a base trade license plus immigration add-ons. Mainland vs Free Zone, shareholders, and office type (flexi/shared vs Ejari) affect price. Many packages start from ~AED 10,800 excluding optional immigration.
Good to know
- 100% foreign ownership available
- Flexi/shared office keeps overhead low
- Visa quota scales with office size
Watch out
- Choosing the wrong jurisdiction for your sales model
- Under-budgeting immigration items (establishment card, visas)
- Missing activity-specific technical approvals
How to Get Started
- Define scope (advisory, referral, education) with authority
- Trade name and initial approval
- Obtain sector approvals where applicable
- Issue license and establishment card
- Implement safeguarding and data protection policies
Documents Checklist
- Passport copy & recent photo of each shareholder
- Current visa/entry status
- 2 to 3 preferred trade names
- Brief scope & staffing plan
Protection from Abuse FAQs
Is a physical office mandatory for Protection from Abuse?
Many Free Zones allow flexi/shared packages. Mainland may require Ejari depending on visas and the activity.
How many visas can I start with?
Commonly 1 to 3 at the start, subject to office allocation and immigration rules.
What is included in the base cost?
Trade license and core company docs. Immigration items (establishment card, status change, medical, Emirates ID) may be bundled or itemized.
Planning your UAE setup?
Free tools and guides to set up the right way:
Last updated: October 2026
Requirements, timelines, and fees vary by jurisdiction, office setup, and external approvals. Confirm the current structure before applying.