Free tool
Business setup cost estimator
The short answer
Pick an emirate, a jurisdiction, your activity and the number of visas to see a first-year cost range covering licence, office or desk, visas and optional services. Ranges are indicative and change with each authority’s packages, so confirm the final quote with us before you commit.
Sample figures. The fee table on this preview uses placeholder ranges for layout. Replace them with the firm’s current quotes before launch.
- Emirate
- Jurisdiction
- Activity
- Visas & extras
- Estimate
Estimated first-year cost
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Answer the questions to see your range.
Breakdown
What does the estimate include?
The licence fee for the chosen jurisdiction and activity group, a desk or office, the cost per residence visa, and any optional services you tick. It leaves out sector regulator fees for regulated activities, share capital, and fit-out. Activity groups with external approvals, such as industrial or regulated work, carry a multiplier because they need extra inspections and documents.
Which is cheaper, mainland or free zone?
Free zone flexi-desk packages are usually the lowest first-year cost, while mainland setups cost more but let you trade directly with UAE customers. Tax can reverse the picture: a free zone company that earns too much from mainland customers loses its 0% rate once non-qualifying revenue passes the lower of 5% of revenue or AED 5 million (Ministry of Finance).
“an administrative penalty of AED10,000 for late registration of UAE Corporate Tax”
What must I do right after the licence is issued?
Register for corporate tax within the FTA deadline, since a late application costs AED 10,000 (Cabinet Decision No. 10 of 2024). Track taxable supplies for VAT: registration becomes mandatory once they pass AED 375,000 over 12 months (Federal Tax Authority). New companies with revenue up to AED 3 million can plan to elect Small Business Relief for periods ending by 31 December 2029 (Ministerial Decision No. 131).
Frequently asked questions
Why is the result a range, not a single figure?
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Authority fees differ by package, activity group, office size and visa allocation, and packages change often. A range is more honest than a single number until your activities are confirmed.
Are corporate tax and VAT included?
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Registration support is an optional line. Corporate tax registration itself has no government fee, but missing the deadline costs AED 10,000.
How long does setup take?
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Free zone licences can be issued in days once documents are complete; mainland setups with external approvals can take several weeks. Bank accounts usually take a further two to six weeks.
Sources
- AED10,000 Penalty for Late Corporate Tax Registration (Cabinet Decision No. 10 of 2024) — UAE Ministry of Finance, 27 February 2024. Checked 16 October 2026.
- Registration for VAT (mandatory and voluntary thresholds) — Federal Tax Authority. Checked 16 October 2026.
- Ministry of Finance announces new decisions relating to Corporate Tax for Free Zones (Cabinet Decision No. 55 of 2023, Ministerial Decision No. 139 of 2023) — WAM, Emirates News Agency. Checked 16 October 2026.
- Ministry of Finance extends Small Business Relief to tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029 (Ministerial Decision No. 131) — WAM via Aletihad, 7 August 2026. Checked 16 October 2026.
Know your next deadline before the FTA does.
Tell us your licence, year end and revenue band. We reply within one business day with your filing calendar and a fixed-fee quote.