Company setup
DIFC company setup cost in 2026
DIFC's zero-visa licence: from AED 104,079. With one visa: AED 108,579.
Zone type: financial free zone.
Official fees (checked 4 Nov 2026)
- Private or public company (non-retail): registration USD 8,000 and operating licence on incorporation USD 12,000 (USD 20,000 combined for the first year, before office space)
- Prescribed company: registration USD 100 and licence USD 1,000
- Foundation: registration nil and licence USD 350
- Visa and office costs are not in this table
Official fees are in US dollars. An additional AED 20 knowledge and innovation fee applies to licences. Our table figure (from AED 104,079) is a consultancy estimate of a full setup including items outside the Registrar's fees.
DIFC Registrar of Companies Table of Fees (document updated 31 December 2025)Consultancy estimate, July 2026Last verified 9 Oct 2026
Figures are government costs published by a company-setup consultancy and are indicative. Because that source is itself a vendor, confirm with each authority before you commit.
Licence and visa costs
| Cost or detail | DIFC |
|---|---|
| Zero-visa licence | from AED 104,079 |
| With one visa | AED 108,579 |
| Type | financial free zone |
| Notes | 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 | Consultancy estimate, July 2026Last verified 9 Oct 2026 |
What the listed notes say
- 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
Who it suits
- DIFC is listed as financial free zone.
- 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
- A free-zone company cannot trade freely onshore without a distributor or mainland branch.
How it compares
Frequently asked questions
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