Set up your business in Dubai and the UAE with expert consulting and guidance
Launch your business without the hassles of legal formalities or complex paperwork in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE with our team of expert business consultants.
The Retyn Advantage: The operating system for your business
Traditional setup agencies give you paper. We give you a platform, data, and a safety net.
Retyn LaunchPad
Your setup dashboard. Features a live visa tracker, secure document vault, and SLA timers for every approval.
Retyn InsightVault
Real cost intelligence. Compare fee benchmarks, check your banking success score, and spot hidden costs early.
Retyn GuardRails
Automated compliance. Get smart alerts for renewals, basic risk checks, and ready-to-use policy templates.
Retyn Ecosystem
Your growth network. Access exclusive software deals, a private founder chat, and direct client introductions.
Calculate your Dubai business setup cost
Answer 4 quick questions to generate a tailored business roadmap. Compare Free Zone vs Mainland, calculate visa quotas, and map your regulatory steps.
Your Business Setup Roadmap
Based on current UAE regulations:
- Jurisdiction:
- Activity:
- Allocated Visas:
- Office Type:
- Add-ons: —
- Notes: —
*Includes Initial Approval, MOA drafting, and License issuance fees. We handle the entire government liaison process.
Start your Dubai journey
Build a shareable brief in under a minute—no hidden fees, no outdated info.
- Select your preferred zone & activity
- Determine visa & office needs
- Get a regulatory checklist instantly
Your custom roadmap appears here once generated.
Compare mainland vs free zone vs offshore
Use this side-by-side with the estimator. Pick a focus below or your choice will auto-sync from the calculator.
| Decision factor | Mainland | Top Free zones | Offshore (Holding) |
|---|---|---|---|
| At-a-glance verdict | ✅ Broad trading & hiring | ✅ Simple, cost-efficient packs | ℹ️ Holding / SPV only |
| Ownership | 100% foreign (most activities); special approvals for a few. | 100% foreign. | 100% foreign (no on-shore trading). |
| Visa quota | ✅ Flexible – tied to office and labour file. | Package-based quotas; upgrade with office size. | — No visas |
| Corporate tax exposure | UAE CT 9% above thresholds. | Qualifying Free Zone Person may be 0% on qualifying income; 9% if non-qualifying. | Often out-of-scope on non-UAE income; anti-abuse and substance rules still apply. |
| Economic Substance (ESR) | May apply by activity. | May apply by activity. | ⚠️ Common for holding/IP |
| Typical timeline | 5–15 working days. | 3–10 working days. | 3–7 working days. |
| Indicative authority fees (setup) | AED 12k–20k+ | AED 9k–18k+ (by zone and package) | AED 6k–12k+ |
| Office requirements | Flexi/shared/dedicated; impacts visas. | Flexi desks common; dedicated optional. | No physical office required. |
| Best for | Retail On-shore services Govt tenders | Consulting Tech/SaaS Light trading | Holding SPV IP/Assets |
Mainland
- Ownership: 100% foreign (most activities)
- Visas: Flexible; tied to office
- CT: 9% above thresholds
- ESR: May apply
- Timeline: 5–15 days
- Fees: AED 12k–20k+
- Office: Flexi/shared/dedicated
- Best for: Retail, on-shore services, tenders
Top Free zones
- Ownership: 100% foreign
- Visas: Package-based; upgradable
- CT: 0% QFZP on qualifying income; 9% otherwise
- ESR: May apply
- Timeline: 3–10 days
- Fees: AED 9k–18k+
- Office: Flexi/shared/dedicated
- Best for: Consulting, Tech/SaaS, light trading
Offshore (Holding)
- Ownership: 100% foreign
- Visas: Not available
- CT: Often out-of-scope on non-UAE income
- ESR: Common for holding/IP
- Timeline: 3–7 days
- Fees: AED 6k–12k+
- Office: Not required
- Best for: Holding, SPV, IP/asset ownership
Figures are indicative and vary by authority, activity, and documents. Tax/ESR depend on specific facts and current rules.
Decision tree: Mainland vs free zone vs offshore
Answer three quick questions and instantly see the best licence route—with ownership and visa details tailored to you.
Figures are indicative. Rules vary by authority, activity, and current regulations.
Key benefits of teaming with us
We will guide you from the ground up to quickly launch your business operation anywhere in the UAE—mainland, free zone or offshore.
Expert guidance
We walk you through the UAE business regulations and policies.
Complete incorporation
We handle the entire process from licensing to legal compliance.
Market insights
We offer a holistic view of your operating market in the UAE.
Dedicated support
We are here 24/7 for any assistance or query anytime, anywhere.
Local expertise
Our expert team knows Dubai and the UAE business laws and regulations inside out.
Proven track record
We have helped many businesses from different industries start and succeed in the UAE.
Services we deliver
We cater to aspiring businesses and entrepreneurs with our diverse range of services to help them establish successfully in the UAE.
Business incorporation
We provide complete registration and licensing services for company establishment in Dubai.
Office setup
We help businesses acquire office spaces and set up the necessary infrastructure for easy launch and operation.
Legal and regulatory support
We offer full legal and regulatory support to ensure businesses comply with the UAE labor laws and trade regulations at all times.
Market entry strategy
We specialize in analyzing the operating industry and its markets across the UAE to develop effective entry and growth strategies that promise a successful market launch.
Ongoing support
We deliver continuous business advisory services and support for scaling and expansion for businesses to grow and adapt in the new markets.
Essential business support solutions beyond setup
We go beyond company formation, providing services to keep your business running smoothly and growing successfully.
Corporate services
Comprehensive solutions to manage administrative tasks by maintaining full business compliance.
Visa & PRO services
End-to-end support services for securing, renewing and managing visas quickly and efficiently.
Banking assistance
Expert guidance to open and manage reliable and compliant banking services tailored to your needs.
Business setup in Dubai and the UAE. The complete process
We run a thorough analysis of your industry in the UAE and strategically plan your launch for optimal impact.
Consult now
Step: 01
Initial consultation
We analyze your business goals and needs to position your business successfully in the UAE market.
Step: 02
Planning and strategy
A stringent plan tailored for your business will be drafted with a visual process overview and consulted with you prior to implementation.
Step: 03
Implementation
We execute the plan carefully, step-by-step, from initial registration to final office set up and business launch.
Step: 04
Launch support
Full assistance with on-ground support will be provided for successfully launching of your business operations in the UAE.
Step: 05
Post-launch assistance
Any requirements or support post launch will be rightly acknowledged by our team of experts.
Required documentation for business setup in Dubai
Being prepared with the right documents helps speed up approvals with mainland, free zone, and offshore authorities. Use this as a checklist before your consultation.
For individual shareholders
- Valid passport copy of each shareholder
- Recent passport-size photograph (as per UAE specs)
- UAE entry stamp / residence visa page (if applicable)
- Emirates ID copy (for UAE residents)
- Current home address and contact details
For corporate shareholders
- Certificate of incorporation / trade license
- Memorandum & Articles of Association (MoA/AoA)
- Board resolution approving UAE company formation
- Passport copies of authorised signatories
- Certificate of incumbency or equivalent (if required)
Business & activity information
- Proposed company name (2–3 options)
- Planned business activities and target markets
- Preferred jurisdiction: mainland, free zone, or offshore
- Shareholding structure and capital contribution
- Office / workspace requirements and team size
Requirements may slightly vary by authority and license type. Our consultants will confirm the exact list for your chosen jurisdiction and activity.
Client stories from Dubai and the UAE
Hear from founders and business owners who set up their companies with our team and continue to grow with our ongoing support.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION . MARKETING AGENCY
"Great experience working with Retyn"
“ From documentation to approvals, they sorted everything end-to-end and made a complex process feel simple and stress-free. What stood out most was their responsiveness, attention to detail, and willingness to take ownership instead of just giving instructions.”
Haris Aboobacker
Founder - Haca, Haris & co
Copy review
Finance startup · Free zone setup
“5 stars across the board!”
“Services were competitively priced and I would be very happy to recommend to anyone. In fact, I will be using the services again shortly. 5 stars across the board!.”
Muhammad Faisal Ishaq
Portfolio Manager, DIFC Company
Copy review
Technical services · Mainland license
“Clear guidance on the right structure”
“I had an excellent experience working with Retyn on opening my company. The entire process was timely, simple, and absolutely straight to the point. They guided everything with professionalism and clarity, removing all the stress that usually comes with such procedures.”
Lemme K
Operation Director, Technical services in Dubai
Copy review
Organic firm · Ongoing support
“Excellent partner beyond setup”
“Even after incorporation, Retyn helps us with visa renewals, banking and compliance updates. Having a single point of contact saves our team a lot of time and effort.”
Sanjeev Bhatt
Managing Director, Organic hair colours company in the UAE
Copy review
Business setup solutions designed for your industry
Where to set up your business
Choose the right location for your business, and our experts will ensure a smooth, simple and successful setup.
UAE regulation updates for business setup and operations
Stay on top of the latest federal and Dubai-specific regulations that impact compliance, banking, tax, licensing and expansion.
Last reviewed: November 26, 2025
VASPs quarterly reviews now mandatory
VARA requires all virtual asset service providers to submit detailed compliance reviews every quarter.
- Affects: VARA-licensed VASPs
- Source ↗
Permit required for location-based tech
Businesses using GPS, geofencing or other geospatial tools must now obtain a special permit.
- Affects: Firms deploying location tech
- Source ↗
Seven-year record-keeping rule
Entities must preserve accounting and tax records for at least seven years.
- Affects: All UAE businesses
- Source ↗
Tougher checks on business bank accounts
Central Bank decree raises KYC/AML evidence for opening UAE business accounts.
- Affects: New account openings
- Source ↗
100 digital zero-bureaucracy measures
FTA adds self-service features to EmaraTax, eliminating paperwork for VAT and CT filings.
- Affects: All EmaraTax users
- Source ↗
9-month Corporate-Tax filing deadline
Returns and payments must reach FTA within nine months of a company’s financial year-end.
- Affects: All CT-liable entities
- Source ↗
More freezones qualify for 0% CT
MoF widens “qualifying activities,” letting extra freezone entities access the zero rate.
- Affects: Qualifying freezone persons
- Source ↗
REIT investors taxed on 80% income
FTA confirms CT applies to 80 % of UAE property income earned via exempt REITs.
- Affects: Investors in UAE REITs
- Source ↗
Freezone One Passport introduced
Single digital passport lets companies operate across multiple Dubai freezones.
- Affects: New and existing freezone entities
- Source ↗
Legal advice restricted to licensed lawyers
Federal law tightens penalties for unlicensed individuals providing legal advice.
- Affects: Consultants and advisory firms
- Source ↗
Freezone companies cleared for mainland trade
DED decree lets eligible freezone entities operate directly in mainland without opening a branch.
- Affects: Freezone firms seeking mainland access
- Source ↗
Dubai Founders HQ launched
Subsidised licences, coworking and mentoring to accelerate startup and SME growth.
- Affects: Start-ups and SMEs
- Source ↗
Note: Summaries above are informational and may vary by authority and activity. We’ll confirm exact applicability for your licence.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
We have answers to help you make successful decisions on starting a company in Dubai.
Setting up a business in the UAE requires necessary business registrations, trading licenses, compliance with legal and regulatory formalities and approvals from respective departments. We will handle the complexities so that you can focus on your business goals.
The process would take around 2-4 weeks to complete. We closely coordinate with the Government bodies so as to move forward without unnecessary delays and complications.
The legal requirements for business in Dubai vary based on whether the company is set up in Dubai mainland, free zones or offshore. However, the primary requirement for any business is to register their company and acquire trade licenses specific to the business and industry of operation. Some require tax registration and local sponsorship to operate in Dubai. All businesses operating in the UAE must also comply with the labor laws of respective Emirates where the business is established.
Yes. We offer continued support with a dedicated team that attends to any challenges or concerns you face after business launch. We also provide post set up support services including legal or regulatory updates, business advisory and operational assistance.
The cost of starting a business in Dubai varies with the location of setting up the business—mainland, free zone or offshore, trading license expenses, registration fees and other related costs. We provide transparent price packages for businesses to suit their requirements and budget. Contact us to get a customized price quote.
Launch. Build. Grow.
Set up your business in Dubai with confidence ensuring full compliance with local laws and regulations.
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