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Business Setup Calculator

Business Setup Cost Calculator

Estimate your company formation costs in the UAE
Mainland Company
When to choose mainland – when need physical operations inside city like restaurant, showrooms and for certain activities it is mandatory like real estate brokerage.

Starting from AED 13,000

Initial Approval + Trade Name + MOA + Fee = AED 5,000

Payment Voucher = AED 8,000

✔ Includes: License, MOA
✘ Excludes: Ejari
Freezone Company
When to choose freezone – Best for all cases except like where physical operations required in mainland.

Starting from AED 5,500

✔ Includes: License, MOA, Flexi-Lease Agreement
Offshore Company
When to choose offshore – only in cases of asset-protection, wealth protection, trust or complete business outside uae.

Starting from AED 6,000

⚠ Note – No Visa or Office allowed to be taken

Select License Type

Mainland Company
Group A
Service Activities – Professional license
No Extra Cost

No increase in cost. Total remains AED 13,000.

Group B
Trade Activities – Commercial License
+ AED 6,000 Add-on

Payment Voucher Fee will be increased from 8k to 14k.

So Overall Total = AED 19,000

Group C
Manufacturing - Industrial License
Custom Pricing

Depends on business activity & space size – can't give cost online.

Select Business Activity

Mainland Company
Group A
Simple Activity - No extra cost
No Extra Cost
  • Technical Services
  • Foodstuff
  • Textile Trading
  • Garment Trading
  • Any Other
Group B
Special Activities with approvals - 6,000 AED approx for external approval
+ AED 6,000 (approx.)
  • Real Estate : Construction Companies, Brokerage – RERA - 6,000 AED
  • Metal Trading : Gold and Diamond Trading, Jewellery Shops and other Metal Trading – SIRA -6,000 AED
  • Oil Related Activities : Lubricants, Oil and Diesel Trading – Clearances -6,000 AED
  • Restaurants & Cafés – 6,000 AED

Overall Total – 19,000 AED

Group C
High cost activities.
Total becomes 33,000 AED
  • General Trading

    • Payment voucher – 14k to 28K.
    Total becomes – 33,000 AED

Setup Requirements

Mainland Company – Final Step
1. Do You Have Office Ejari?
2. Do you need investor visa?
3. Do you need employee visa?

+ labour file opening cost default – 1000 aed

Select Freezone Jurisdiction

Freezone Company
Group A
Northern Emirates
No Extra Cost
  • Ajman
  • Sharjah
  • Ras Al Khaimah
  • Umm Al Quwain

Exclusions:
Not suitable for certain nationalities and activities.

Group B
Dubai Emirates
Total AED 12,900
  • IFZA
  • Dubai South – DWC

Additional from 5,500 aed to 12,900 AED

Group C
Other High Cost Freezones
Up to AED 60,000
  • DMCC
  • JAFZA
  • DAFZA
  • DIFC

Additional from 5,500 aed to 60,000 AED

Visa Requirements

Freezone Company – Final Step
1. Do you need Visa?
Estimated Setup Cost

Total : AED

Comparision
Mainland vs Freezone vs Offshore
Features

Mainland

Freezone

Offshore
Business Scope UAE + International Within Freezone + International International Only
Can Trade Inside UAE Market ✅ Yes ⚠️ Through Distributor ❌ No
Government Contracts Eligibility ✅ Yes ❌ No ❌ No
Visa Eligibility ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ❌ No
Office Requirement Physical Office Required Flexi Desk / Office Not Required
Corporate Tax Applicability ✅ 9% (if applicable) 0% (if qualifying) / 9% 0% (if no UAE income)
Bank Account Opening Moderate Easy–Moderate Difficult
Annual Renewal Cost Higher Moderate Lower
Audit Requirement Case-based Some Freezones Usually No
Suitable For Active UAE Business Startups / SMEs / Online Holding / Asset Protection
Comparision
Dubai vs Northern Emirates
Features

Dubai

Northern Emirates
Setup Cost Higher Lower
Visa Cost Higher Lower
Office Rent FLEXI DESK FLEXI DESK
Brand Value ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐⭐⭐
Bank Preference High Moderate
Business Perception Strong Global Image Cost-Effective Option
Investor Appeal High Moderate
Ideal For Trading, Real Estate, Premium Services Budget Startups, SMEs
Government Processing Speed Fast Fast
Flexibility in Activities LOW HIGH
Comparision
Main Freezone's Comparison

IFZA (Dubai)

RAKEZ (RAK)

SHAMS (Sharjah)

Ajman Free Zone
Starting Setup Cost Low–Moderate Low Low Very Low
Visa Cost Moderate Lower Lower Low
Audit Requirement No – Up to certain turnover No No No
Physical Office Requirement Flexi / Office Flexi / Office Flexi / Office Flexi / Office
Setup Speed Fast Fast Fast Fast
Corporate Tax Status 0% (Qualifying) / 9% 0% (Qualifying) / 9% 0% (Qualifying) / 9% 0% (Qualifying) / 9%
Freezone Status Non – Designated Designated Non-Designated Designated