Last updated: October 31, 2026
The short answer
When I set up my own company on Dubai mainland in December 2022, the first year cost me roughly AED 27,500–28,500, including one residence visa and a business bank account.
In 2026, budget around AED 30,000–60,000 for a Dubai mainland company with an office and one visa, depending on your activity and how you set things up. A free zone company is usually cheaper to start, but it comes with limits on trading inside the UAE.
Below is exactly what I paid, what the same setup costs today, and the costs most guides forget to mention.
What I paid in December 2022
I set up a Dubai mainland company with one residence visa, using an agent only for guidance. These are my approximate first-year costs:
| Item | What I paid (AED) |
|---|---|
| Trade licence and government fees (Dubai mainland) | ~13,500 |
| Residence visa, medical test and Emirates ID | ~7,000–8,000 |
| Virtual office package | ~3,500 |
| Return flight to Muscat to exit and re-enter for the visa | ~1,200 |
| Setup agent (guidance only) | ~1,000 |
| Business bank account (Wio, AED 99/month × 12) | ~1,188 |
| First-year total | ~27,500–28,500 |
From my experience: the bank account was the part I worried about most, and it turned out to be the easiest. I opened a Wio Business account entirely from the phone app, with no minimum balance. Nearly four years on, it’s still the best bank I’ve used for the business.
How long it took
I arrived in Dubai on a 30-day visit visa and opened my company within that window:
- Research: I compared free zones, Dubai mainland and other emirates myself.
- Company setup: about 7–10 days. An agent showed me which steps to complete at the Amer centre. You can register and own a company while on a visit visa, but you can’t work in it or live in the UAE on that status (source).
- Immigration establishment card: this registers the company with Dubai immigration (GDRFA) and is needed before the company can sponsor any visa, including the owner’s own.
- Investor visa: once the entry permit was issued, I had to exit and re-enter the UAE to switch from my visit visa. I took a late-night flydubai flight to Muscat and flew straight back, landing in Dubai again a few hours later on the new entry permit. After that came the medical test, Emirates ID biometrics and the residence visa. My agent told me that at the time some nationalities could change status inside the country while others, like mine, had to exit. I couldn’t confirm that officially, and the rules change from time to time, so check with GDRFA or an Amer centre before your visit visa runs out.
- Business bank account: banks want the signatory’s Emirates ID and residence visa before they finish opening a business account. When I opened my Wio account, I had my Emirates ID, the trade licence and the company’s Ejari tenancy contract ready, and it went smoothly.
- Labour file and e-signature card (only if you hire staff): to sponsor employee visas, the company also opens a file with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and gets a visa quota. If you have no employees yet, you can leave this step until you need it.
Why I chose Dubai mainland
There are plenty of options: free zones, mainland, and other emirates that can be cheaper. I chose Dubai mainland because Dubai is a brand. Customers and partners around the world recognise it, and a mainland licence lets you trade anywhere in the UAE without extra permissions.
What it costs in 2026
Prices have risen since 2022, and they vary with your business activity, office and number of visas. These are typical ranges reported by UAE setup advisers in 2026. Always get an itemised quote and check government fees with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
| Item | Typical 2026 range (AED) |
|---|---|
| Mainland government fees, no visa (name approval, initial approval, MoA, licence) | 13,900–16,200 (source) |
| Virtual office with an Ejari-registered tenancy (mainland), per year | from ~4,500 (source) |
| Immigration establishment card (GDRFA), renewed regularly | 600–750 plus service fees (source) |
| Investor/partner visa, including medical and Emirates ID | 3,500–6,500 (source) |
| MOHRE labour file (only if hiring): Ta’qeem report AED 406 plus service fees | ~500–600 (source) |
| E-signature card for the company signatory (only if hiring) | ~200–250 plus service fees (source) |
| Mainland company with a small office and one visa, first year | 33,000–62,000+ (source) |
| Free zone company with one visa, first year (for comparison) | 19,000–36,000 (source) |
| Wio Business bank account (Essential plan) | 99 per month, no minimum balance (Wio) |
My 2022 total sits at the low end of today’s range. That’s mainly because I used a virtual office, took a single visa and paid an agent only for guidance (about AED 1,000) while doing the research and legwork myself.
What drives the cost
- Business activity: some activities need extra approvals from other authorities, which add fees and time.
- Office: a mainland licence needs an office address with an Ejari-registered tenancy contract, at issue and at every renewal. A virtual office from a business centre can meet this if it comes with Ejari; a mailbox-only address won’t.
- Number of visas: each visa adds medical, Emirates ID and processing fees, plus health insurance.
- Agent fees: setup companies charge a service fee on top of government fees. Ask for both figures separately.
Costs people forget
- An exit-and-re-entry flight if you can’t change your visa status inside the UAE; a short return flight to a nearby country such as Oman is the usual route
- Health insurance for each visa holder, renewed every year
- Bank fees: monthly plans, transfer fees and international payment charges
- Corporate tax registration with the Federal Tax Authority, required even if you pay no tax; businesses with revenue up to AED 3 million can claim Small Business Relief until the end of 2029
- VAT registration and filing once you pass the threshold, often through a tax agent
- Bookkeeping or accounting software, since you must keep proper records
Year two: renewal costs
The first year isn’t the only big bill. Your trade licence renews every year, and so do your office contract, bank plan and insurance. Advisers estimate Dubai mainland renewals at roughly AED 15,000–30,000 a year from year two (source), depending on your activity and office. Residence visas renew less often, but budget for them in advance.
Tip: set aside money for the renewal from your first month of trading, so it never catches you off guard.
My tips to keep costs down
- Get an itemised quote that separates government fees from agent fees, so you know what you’re really paying for.
- Do what you can yourself. I paid an agent about AED 1,000 just to show me the steps, and did the research and legwork myself.
- Choose the right office option. A virtual office can cut costs a lot, as long as it meets the licence requirements for your activity.
- Pick a bank with no minimum balance. Many traditional banks require large balances; digital banks like Wio don’t.
- Plan for renewals from day one. Set aside part of your income each month for next year’s licence, office and insurance.
FAQ
What is the cheapest way to set up a company in Dubai?
A free zone licence with no visa is usually the cheapest starting point. But if you plan to sell directly to customers inside the UAE, a mainland company can save you money and hassle later.
Can I set up a Dubai mainland company without an agent?
Yes, it’s possible, but some guidance helps. I paid an agent about AED 1,000 to walk me through the steps at the Amer centre and did the rest myself. Full-service agents save more time but charge much more on top of government fees.
Do I need a minimum balance for a business bank account?
Not always. Many traditional banks require one, but digital banks like Wio offer business accounts with no minimum balance and a monthly fee instead.
Do I have to pay corporate tax on a new company?
You must register for corporate tax. Businesses with revenue up to AED 3 million can claim Small Business Relief for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029, but it has to be claimed in each tax return.
Official sources
- Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) for mainland licence fees
- GDRFA Dubai for residence visa fees
- Federal Tax Authority for corporate tax and VAT registration
- Wio Business plans for current bank fees
Costs in this article are approximate and based on my own setup and publicly reported 2026 ranges. Fees change often, so confirm them with the relevant authority before you apply. This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. See our Disclaimer.