License & Registration
Trade name reservation, activity selection, license application and issuance for mainland or your chosen free zone.
Mainland and free zone, done right
Business Setup in Dubai
Setting up a business in Dubai looks simple until you are choosing between mainland and free zone, comparing license costs that never match the quotes, and discovering the visas, bank account and VAT registration nobody mentioned. BizNex Consulting handles business setup end to end: license, visas, bank account support, and the accounting and tax setup your new company needs from day one.
End to endLicense, visas, bank account and tax setup
Honest pricingFull cost breakdown before you commit
Day-one complianceVAT, corporate tax and bookkeeping from the start
What is included
Setup is not just a license
The license is step one. We handle everything after it too.
Mainland vs Free Zone Advice
An honest comparison for your business model: where you can trade, visa quotas, costs and tax treatment. No pushing the option that pays us more.
Visas & Emirates ID
Investor and employee visas, medical, Emirates ID and family sponsorship, coordinated in the right order so nothing stalls.
Corporate Bank Account
Document preparation and bank introductions. We tell you upfront which banks fit your profile so you do not waste weeks on rejections.
VAT & Corporate Tax Registration
Registered where required, on time. Most setup agents skip this and leave you exposed to FTA penalties in your first year.
Accounting From Day One
Chart of accounts, invoicing setup and monthly bookkeeping from your first transaction. Clean books from the start cost far less than fixing a mess later.
Costs, honestly
What does business setup in Dubai cost?
Anyone quoting you a single number without asking about your activities is guessing. Real setup costs depend on mainland vs free zone, the license activities you choose, office or flexi-desk requirements, and how many visas you need. A basic free zone license can start from a few thousand dirhams a year; a mainland setup with visas and office typically runs higher.
What matters more than the license price is the total first-year cost: license plus visas, medical and Emirates ID per person, office, bank account minimums, and the accounting and tax compliance most agents never mention. We give you that full breakdown in writing before you commit to anything, so the number you approve is the number you pay.
Mainland vs free zone
Which one fits your business?
Choose mainland if you want to trade directly with the UAE local market, take government contracts, or open a retail presence anywhere in the country. Mainland licenses offer the widest activity range and no restriction on where your customers are.
Choose a free zone if your business is international, online, or consultancy-based and you want a fast, cost-effective setup with full foreign ownership. Each free zone has its own activity lists and rules, so the right choice depends on what you actually do.
The mistake to avoid is choosing on price alone. A cheap free zone license that does not cover your real activities, or blocks the bank account you need, costs far more to fix than the saving was worth. We map the license to your business plan first, then talk price.
How it works
From idea to trading in four steps
Consultation & quote
We learn your business model, recommend mainland or free zone, and give you a written full-cost breakdown.
License issued
Trade name, approvals and license. Most free zone licenses issue within days; mainland takes a little longer.
Visas & bank account
Residency visas processed in the right sequence while we prepare your corporate bank account application.
Tax & accounts live
VAT and corporate tax registered where needed, bookkeeping running from your first invoice. You start trading compliant.
Business setup FAQs
Questions about setting up in Dubai
How much does it cost to set up a business in Dubai?
It depends on mainland vs free zone, your activities, office needs and visa count. A basic free zone license starts from a few thousand dirhams annually; mainland setups with visas cost more. We quote your full first-year cost in writing, including the visas, bank account and compliance items most agents leave out.
Should I choose mainland or free zone?
Choose mainland to trade freely in the local UAE market and take government work. Choose a free zone for international, online or consultancy businesses wanting a fast, cost-effective setup. The right answer depends on your customers and activities, not on which option is cheaper this week.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Dubai company?
Yes. Full foreign ownership is available in free zones and, since the Commercial Companies Law reform, for most mainland activities as well. A few strategic sectors still have restrictions, which we check for your specific activities.
How long does business setup take in Dubai?
Free zone licenses often issue within a few working days once documents are ready. Mainland setups take longer due to additional approvals. Visas add two to four weeks depending on the package. We give you a realistic timeline for your specific case before you start.
Do I need a local sponsor or partner?
For most activities, no. The old sponsorship requirement is gone for the majority of mainland licenses and never applied to free zones. If your specific activity still needs one, we will tell you upfront.
What happens after the license is issued?
This is where most setup agents disappear and where we stay. Visas, bank account, VAT and corporate tax registration, and monthly bookkeeping. A license without the rest is an expensive piece of paper.
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Ready when you are
Get your setup quoted properly
Tell us what you want to do and we will send back a written breakdown: the right license, the full first-year cost, and the timeline. No pushy sales calls, no missing line items.
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