Company setup
Free zone or mainland? Compare licence costs
Government costs in AED, July 2026. Indicative only: professional fees, office and visas are extra.
Figures are government costs published by a company-setup consultancy (July 2026) and are indicative. Because that source is itself a vendor, confirm with each authority before you commit.
| Zone | Type | Zero-visa licence | With one visa | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meydan Free Zone | free zone | AED 12,500 | AED 20,670 | Cheapest bare licence in central Dubai; first visa adds 8,170 | Source Last verified 9 Oct 2026 |
| IFZA | free zone | AED 12,900 | AED 17,700 | Dubai Silicon Oasis; first visa adds 4,800; 5-10 working days; multiple activities on one licence | Source Last verified 9 Oct 2026 |
| Dubai mainland (Department of Economy and Tourism) | mainland | AED 13,900 to 16,200 | AED 18,750 to 21,050 | Allows trading onshore. Zero-visa breakdown: trade-name approval 620, initial approval 120, Tasheel 464, MoA typing and notarisation 1,200 to 1,500, trade licence 11,500 to 13,500. The one-visa range assumes an investor or partner visa | Source Last verified 9 Oct 2026 |
| DMCC | free zone | from about AED 35,484 | Not available | Premium zone | Source Last verified 9 Oct 2026 |
| DIFC | financial free zone | from AED 104,079 | AED 108,579 | Office space is extra and often the largest cost; annual audit mandatory; Prescribed Company (SPV) or Foundation from 25,000 with no visas; takes several weeks | Source Last verified 9 Oct 2026 |
Important: a free-zone company cannot trade freely onshore without a distributor or mainland branch.
If you sell to UAE businesses or government, a cheap free-zone licence can cost more in lost revenue than mainland fees would.
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