Cost is one of the first questions every founder asks about Dubai company formation. The honest answer requires separating government fees from advisory fees, one-off setup costs from ongoing annual expenses, and understanding that the number depends heavily on your chosen jurisdiction, activity, and how many visas you need.
Cost is one of the first questions every founder asks about Dubai company formation. The honest answer requires separating government fees from advisory fees, one-off setup costs from ongoing annual expenses, and understanding that the number depends heavily on your chosen jurisdiction, activity, and how many visas you need.
Figures in this article
All fees below reflect government and authority charges for 2025/2026 based on standard packages. Fees change annually when free zones and authorities publish their new rate cards. Regulo provides a full, itemised cost breakdown specific to your activity during your free consultation.
Free Zone Company Formation Costs
| Free Zone | Licence Fee (Year 1) | Registration / Admin | Typical All-In (no visas) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SHAMS (Sharjah) | AED 10,900 | ~AED 500 | ~AED 11,400 |
| IFZA (Dubai) | AED 12,500 | ~AED 1,000 | ~AED 13,500 |
| RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah) | AED 11,500 | ~AED 700 | ~AED 12,200 |
| DMCC (Dubai, JLT) | AED 19,500+ | ~AED 2,500 | ~AED 22,000+ |
| DIFC (Financial Centre) | USD 8,000+ | USD 2,000+ | USD 10,000+ |
| JAFZA (Jebel Ali) | AED 18,000+ | ~AED 2,000 | ~AED 20,000+ |
These figures cover the trade licence and company registration only. They do not include visa fees, office rent, or advisory fees.
Mainland LLC Formation Costs
Mainland company formation costs are more variable because they depend on the specific business activity and whether additional regulatory approvals are required from sector ministries.
| Cost Item | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| DED initial approval | AED 500–1,500 |
| Trade name reservation | AED 500–700 |
| DED trade licence fee | AED 8,000–15,000 (activity dependent) |
| MOA drafting and notarisation | AED 1,500–3,000 |
| Chamber of Commerce registration | AED 1,200–2,000 |
| Establishment card (immigration) | AED 500 |
| Total government fees (standard LLC) | AED 15,000–25,000 |
Regulated activities cost more
Activities requiring additional approvals, healthcare, education, financial services, food & beverage, real estate brokerage, transport, incur additional government fees from the relevant regulatory authority (DHA, KHDA, SCA, RERA, etc.), which can add AED 5,000–20,000+ to setup costs.
Offshore Company Formation Costs
Offshore companies are non-operational entities used for holding assets, intellectual property, or international trading structures. They cannot have UAE-based employees or conduct business within the UAE.
| Provider | Setup Fee (approx.) | Annual Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| RAK ICC (Ras Al Khaimah) | AED 8,500–10,000 | AED 8,500–10,000 |
| JAFZA Offshore | AED 15,000–18,000 | AED 12,000–15,000 |
| ADGM (Abu Dhabi) | USD 5,000+ | USD 3,000+ |
Investor Visa Costs
Visa costs are per person and must be budgeted separately from the company formation cost. Each shareholder or employee requiring a UAE residency visa will incur approximately:
- Entry permit: AED 200–500
- Medical fitness test (DHA-approved): AED 300–600
- Emirates ID (3 years): AED 370
- Visa stamping and GDRFA / ICA fees: AED 400–800
- Status change (if converting inside UAE): AED 500
- PRO and typing fees: AED 300–500
- Total per investor visa: approximately AED 4,000–6,000
Office and Address Costs
- Flexi-desk (included in most free zone packages): no additional cost for basic registered address.
- Dedicated desk (free zone): AED 8,000–20,000 per year.
- Serviced office (free zone or mainland): AED 25,000–80,000 per year depending on size and location.
- Physical office lease (mainland, required for some activities): AED 40,000–150,000+ per year depending on emirate, area, and size.
- Ejari registration (mandatory for mainland Dubai office leases): approximately AED 220.
Banking and Financial Setup Costs
- Corporate bank account opening: typically free at UAE banks, though some require a minimum opening deposit (AED 50,000–250,000 average balance requirement at some banks).
- Monthly account maintenance fees: AED 50–500/month depending on bank and account type.
- International wire transfer fees: AED 50–150 per outgoing transfer.
- Accounting software (e.g. Zoho Books, QuickBooks): AED 500–2,000/year.
Ongoing Annual Costs
Beyond the first-year setup, plan for these recurring annual costs:
| Cost Item | Annual Estimate |
|---|---|
| Trade licence renewal (free zone, standard) | AED 10,900–19,500+ |
| Trade licence renewal (mainland) | AED 8,000–15,000 |
| Investor visa renewal (every 3 years) | AED 4,000–6,000 per person |
| Accounting / bookkeeping | AED 6,000–24,000 (AED 500–2,000/month) |
| VAT filing (if registered) | AED 2,000–6,000/year (advisory fee) |
| Corporate tax return | AED 3,000–8,000/year (advisory fee) |
| Audit (DMCC and some others require it) | AED 5,000–15,000 |
| PRO services / renewals | AED 1,500–5,000 |
Total First-Year Cost: Realistic Estimates
| Scenario | Approximate First-Year Cost |
|---|---|
| Solo founder, SHAMS free zone, 1 visa | AED 16,000–20,000 |
| 2-person partnership, IFZA, 2 visas | AED 25,000–32,000 |
| Small team, DMCC, 3 visas, dedicated desk | AED 50,000–65,000 |
| Mainland LLC, 2 partners, physical office, 5 visas | AED 75,000–110,000 |
| RAK ICC offshore (no visas, holding only) | AED 9,000–12,000 |
Always get an itemised quote
Every business setup is different. Activity type, number of shareholders, visa requirements, and office needs all affect the total. Regulo provides a full itemised cost breakdown before you commit to anything, no hidden fees and no surprises.
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