PRO Services in Dubai
A PRO handles your government paperwork: visas, labour approvals, licence renewals, attestations. Pricing looks contradictory online because there are two different billing models, and almost nobody separates the government fee from the service fee. Those two points explain every confusing quote you have seen.
Two billing models, which is why quotes look inconsistent
You will see AED 150 to 500 quoted and also AED 1,000 to 5,000 quoted, often on the same page. They are not competing figures. One is per transaction, the other is a monthly retainer.
| Model | Indicative cost | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Per transaction | AED 150 - 500 service fee | Occasional needs; a few visas a year |
| Monthly retainer, small company | AED 1,000 - 3,000 | Steady admin, a handful of staff |
| Monthly retainer, larger company | AED 3,000 - 5,000+ | Higher headcount and transaction volume |
| Bundled with company formation | often "free" year one | Check what year two actually costs |
| Government fees | fixed and public | Identical whoever submits; never a differentiator |
Government fee vs service fee
This is the single most useful thing to understand. Government fees are fixed and public — they are identical whoever submits the application. The PRO's service fee is the only part that is negotiable or comparable between providers.
When a provider gives you one combined number, you cannot tell whether their margin is AED 100 or AED 1,000. Always ask for the two on separate lines. A provider unwilling to split them is telling you something.
What a PRO actually handles
- Visas — employee and investor applications, renewals, cancellations, status changes
- Labour — work permits, MOHRE approvals, labour contracts, labour cards
- Licensing — trade licence renewal, activity amendments, trade name changes, MOA amendments
- Cards — establishment card and immigration card applications and renewals
- Attestation — legal, educational and corporate document attestation and notarisation
- Medical and Emirates ID — typing, appointments and collection
- Deadline tracking — arguably the real value, since most fines come from missed expiry dates
PRO service or your own PRO?
An in-house PRO is a salaried employee, typically AED 5,000 to 9,000 a month plus their own visa and end-of-service accrual, so realistically AED 70,000 to 120,000 a year fully loaded. An outsourced retainer at AED 1,000 to 5,000 a month is AED 12,000 to 60,000.
The crossover is roughly 30 to 50 staff, or earlier if you have constant visa churn. Below that, outsourcing is almost always cheaper and you are buying someone who already knows which counter to go to.
What to check before signing
- Government fee and service fee quoted separately
- What counts as one transaction, and what triggers an extra charge
- Whether urgent processing costs more, and how much
- Who pays fines caused by a missed deadline on their side
- That the provider holds a valid trade licence for this activity
- Whether the first year is bundled into a formation package — and what year two costs
PRO Services — FAQs
How much do PRO services cost in Dubai?
Either AED 150 to 500 as a service fee per transaction, or AED 1,000 to 3,000 a month on retainer for a small company, rising to AED 3,000 to 5,000 and above with higher headcount. Both figures appear online because they are different billing models, not competing prices. Government fees sit on top and are the same whoever files.
What is the difference between a government fee and a PRO service fee?
The government fee is fixed and published by the relevant authority and is identical whoever submits the application. The service fee is the provider service fee for doing it. Only the service fee is negotiable or comparable between providers, which is why you should always ask for the two quoted on separate lines.
What does a PRO actually do?
Visa applications, renewals and cancellations; work permits and MOHRE approvals; trade licence renewals and amendments; establishment and immigration card applications; document attestation and notarisation; medical and Emirates ID processing. The underrated part is deadline tracking, because most fines in the UAE come from a missed expiry rather than from doing something wrong.
Is it cheaper to hire my own PRO?
Not until you are fairly large. An in-house PRO costs AED 5,000 to 9,000 a month in salary plus their visa and end-of-service accrual, so AED 70,000 to 120,000 a year fully loaded, against AED 12,000 to 60,000 for an outsourced retainer. The crossover is usually around 30 to 50 staff, or sooner with constant visa churn.
Do free zone companies need PRO services?
Often less than mainland companies, because most free zones handle visa and licence processing through their own portal as part of the package. The need rises if you have staff turnover, need attestations, or deal with mainland authorities. Check what your free zone already includes before paying separately for it.
Can a PRO guarantee approval or faster processing?
No. Approvals are the decision of the authority and government timelines are not something a provider controls. What a good PRO genuinely saves you is rejected submissions, repeat trips and missed deadlines. Treat any guarantee of approval as a reason to look elsewhere.
Related
General information, not legal or tax advice. Government fees are set by the relevant UAE authority and change. Service fees vary by provider. Confirm both before engaging anyone.
Last updated: October 2026 · Maintained by the My Business Setup editorial team
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