Dubai is one of the fastest growing business hubs in the world. And a business setup in Dubai is the dream of entrepreneurs around the world. The atmosphere of Dubai is perfect for having any business setup. Its stable economy, advanced facilities and supportive government make it a top destination for both startups and global investors. Most entrepreneurs have this question in their mind before setting their foot in the business journey: “How long does it actually take to set up a company?” The answer is not a specific number of days—it depends on several factors related to your business setup in Dubai.
Setting up a business in Dubai involves a series of legal and administrative steps. You have to select the activity of your business setup in Dubai, pick the right jurisdiction, register your trade name, prepare documents, and finally get the license approved for your business setup in Dubai. The exact time for all Dubai business setups is not the same and depends on the type of business you are setting up and the time you take to complete each step in the process.
The time taken for every Dubai business setup is not the same, but still the process can take somewhere around 3 days to 4 weeks.
This estimate includes all the main steps—approvals, paperwork, and final license issuance. However, with the help of a business setup company in Dubai, the process can often be completed much faster.
The first step is to identify the activity of your business setup in Dubai. Dubai has more than 2,000 different activities in different sectors, like trading, manufacturing, consultancy and digital services. It is based on this activity that the type of license will be determined for your business setup in Dubai. It can be commercial, professional, or industrial. Even the authority responsible for approvals will depend on the Dubai business setup activity.
You must decide if you want a business setup in Dubai on the mainland or in a free zone.
Choosing the right jurisdiction affects cost, ownership, and the speed of approval. With expert advice from a business setup company in Dubai, this decision can be made within a day.
The name of your business setup in Dubai must comply with Dubai’s naming guidelines—no religious or political terms and must reflect your business activity. Once chosen, you can reserve your trade name through the Department of Economic Development for mainland Dubai business setups or the respective authority for free zone companies. This approval process takes one to two days.
After selecting the name and activity of your business setup in Dubai, you must apply for initial approval. This shows that the government is not against your Dubai business setup. At this stage, you have to prepare the necessary documents such as passport copies, visa copies, and a business plan. The entire process of your business setup in Dubai speeds up if you have all the documents ready.
If your business setup in Dubai is an LLC or partnership, you will have to create a Memorandum of Association (MOA) or Local Service Agent (LSA) agreement. They should also be approved by a government authority. These documents show details about ownership, responsibilities, and profit-sharing between partners. The drafting and notarization process might take 2–3 working days, depending on the Dubai business setup structure.
Mainland business setups in Dubai require a physical office registered with Ejari, while free zone companies can often use a virtual office or flexi-desk. Choosing and finalizing your workspace usually takes one to three days. If you already have a business center in mind, this step can be completed within hours.
Once your documents are approved and fees are paid, your business setup in Dubai is complete. You’ll receive your official trade license from DED or the associated free zone authority. This process might take between one to five working days.
| Step Description | Estimated Time |
|---|---|
| Business Activity Selection - Define your business activity | 1–2 days |
| Jurisdiction Selection - Mainland or Free Zone | 1 day |
| Trade Name Reservation - Choose and register your name | 1–2 days |
| Initial Approval - Submit documents for review | 2–4 days |
| Legal Documents - MOA/LSA preparation | 2–3 days |
| Office Setup - Choose workspace | 1–3 days |
| License Issuance - Get final business license | 1–5 days |
| Total | 3–21 working days |
So to conclude, the time required for a business setup in Dubai depends on your business activity and jurisdiction. Your preparation also matters. Generally speaking, most Dubai business setups can be completed in one to three weeks. Partnering with a trusted business setup company in Dubai ensures your journey is fast and easy.