How to Set Up a Business in Dubai – A Complete Guide

Setting Up a Business in Dubai: What You Need to Know

Dubai is one of the most at

tractive destinations globally for entrepreneurs: strategic location, excellent infrastructure, favorable tax regime, and business‑friendly policies. If you’re considering starting a business in Dubai, this guide will walk you through the steps—from planning to launching—using expertise from Absolute Business (absolutebusiness.ae) to help you make informed decisions. Absolute Business

Why Choose Dubai / UAE

Some of the advantages that make Dubai a top choice for business setup:

• Zero or low personal / corporate tax (no income tax for most businesses, VAT introduced in 2018 at 5%). Absolute Business

• Strategic geographic location, connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. Absolute Business

• World‑class infrastructure – airports, ports, roads, utilities, digital services. Absolute Business

• Legal framework and business protection: clear regulation, protection of business interests. Absolute Business

• Attraction of talent and workforce‑friendly immigration, visa, and sponsorship options. Absolute Business

Key Choices: Mainland vs Free Zone

One of the first decisions you’ll make is whether to register your company in the Mainland (through the Department of Economic Development or equivalent local authority) or in one of the Free Zones. Absolute Business helps clients in both scenarios. Absolute Business

Some trade‑offs:

Feature	Mainland	Free Zone
Market access inside UAE / ability to do business across emirates	Very good; can do business throughout UAE	Sometimes restricted, depending on free zone; may need local distributor for UAE mainland trade
Ownership	Recent reforms allow more 100% foreign ownership in many mainland cases	Often 100% foreign ownership already standard
Licensing cost	Tends to be higher due to additional regulatory requirements	Can be more cost‑efficient; many free zones offer tailored packages
Office / physical presence requirement	Usually more stringent	Free zones often offer virtual or flex desk options
Visa quota & permissions	Mainland may allow more flexibility	Free zones each have their own visa rules and quotas

Absolute Business supports both Mainland & Free Zone registrations at all stages. Absolute Business

Step‑by‑Step Process

Here are the main steps you’ll typically go through to set up your business in Dubai, aligned with how Absolute Business describes the process. Absolute Business

1. Choose jurisdiction and business activity

   
   

   Decide whether you will set up in the Mainland or Free Zone, and specify your business activity (commercial, industrial, professional, etc.). This determines what licenses you need. Absolute Business

2. Register the trade name

   
   

   You’ll need to pick a unique trade name and get it approved by the relevant authority. Absolute Business

3. Prepare and submit the paperwork

   
   

   Absolute Business helps assemble all required documents: corporate documents, shareholder info, lease, etc. Absolute Business

4. Lease / office space

   
   

   Depending on jurisdiction, you may need to secure a physical office, or use virtual/flex desk options in a free zone. Absolute Business can assist in choosing and arranging the lease. Absolute Business

5. Apply for a license

   
   

   Submit all documents for license issuance. Types of licenses depend on activity, location, etc. This is often done after the trade name and lease are finalized. Absolute Business

6. Visa / Work Permit

   
   

   Once the company is licensed, you can apply for work visas (for owners, employees) and other permits. Absolute Business supports visa‑related documentation. Absolute Business

7. Open a bank account

   
   

   Corporate (or personal, as needed) bank account opening is essential. Absolute Business offers support in bank account application, preparing required documents, and in many cases arranging meetings etc. Absolute Business

Costs & Packages (What To Expect)

Using Absolute Business as a reference, here are some baseline costs and what is typically included in their offerings: Absolute Business

• Mainland company setup: from about AED 39,600* for full support including license, bank account, local service agent, memorandum of association, company stamp. Absolute Business

• Free Zone company setup: from about AED 26,400*, inclusive of license, security clearance, MoA, company stamp, and a flexi‑desk option. Absolute Business

• Bank account services: packages like standard & VIP options; for instance standard packages starting at ~ AED 10,900*; VIP more expensive. Absolute Business

*Prices are indicative, subject to business activity, number of visas, etc.

Tips for Success & Things to Watch Out For

• Choose the right free zone or jurisdiction: Each free zone has specific rules, costs, visa quotas, and restrictions. Your business activity, target markets, and how you plan to trade (inside UAE or internationally) matter.

• Be clear about licensing terms and renewals: Licenses usually need annual renewal; understand what the renewal fees will be.

• Office / physical presence requirements: Some free zones allow virtual offices; Mainland often require actual physical space. This can impact cost significantly.

• Visa & immigration rules: If you need staff visas or family visas, check applicable quotas and costs.

• Bank account opening: Banks have KYC, risk assessments, may require prior documents. It helps to work with consultants like Absolute Business to streamline this. Absolute Business

• Hidden costs: Think of utility deposits, office fit‑out, translation/attestation of documents, PRO / government service agent fees, etc.

Why Use a Business Setup Consultant: How Absolute Business Helps

Working with a professional consultancy can save time, reduce mistakes, and help you navigate local regulations smoothly. Absolute Business offers:

• Full end‑to‑end support, from choosing license type, trade name, through to license issuance and visa application. Absolute Business

• Bank account assistance and liaison with reputable banks. Absolute Business

• Flexible, bespoke packages depending on your business needs. Absolute Business

• Experience: their team has over 20 years of experience in the UAE market. Absolute Business

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreigners own 100% of a company?

Yes, particularly through many Free Zones, and increasingly also in the Mainland under recent regulatory reforms. Absolute Business helps choose appropriate jurisdictions. Absolute Business

How long does the process take?

It depends on the jurisdiction, business activity, completeness of documents, and how quickly the lease etc is arranged. Working with a consultant tends to reduce delays. (Absolute Business promises efficiency and timely service.) Absolute Business

What is the minimum capital required?

There is no fixed universal minimum—it depends on license type, jurisdiction, number of visas etc. Costs start from the ones listed above (~ AED 26,400+ for free zone, ~ AED 39,600+ for mainland in the packages from Absolute Business) but your actual capital requirement may differ. Absolute Business

Conclusion

Setting up a business in Dubai is very doable if you plan well, understand the legal and regulatory framework, and work with reliable partners. Whether you go for a Free Zone or Mainland setup, there are advantages to both depending on your goals. Using services like Absolute Business can help simplify the process, save time, and reduce risk, so you can focus on growing your business.

If you're ready to take the next steps—or want a personalized assessment—reach out for a consultation, and map out your license type, location, cost estimate, and timeline.