If you walk into a coffee shop in DIFC or Downtown Dubai and ask ten different entrepreneurs about their experience of having a business setup in Dubai, you will get ten wildly different stories. One might tell you it was the smoothest digital experience of their life, completed while they were sitting on a beach in another country. Another might show you a thick folder of rejected bank applications and "missing" stamps that cost them months of delays. To succeed today, you need to understand that Dubai business setup isn't just about getting a license, it’s about navigating a sophisticated ecosystem. Here is a human look at the balance between the "click-and-go" ease and the "red-tape" difficulty.
Let’s start with the good news. If your only goal is to obtain a legal trade license and a residency visa, Dubai is arguably one of the fastest cities on the planet. The government’s "Zero Bureaucracy" initiative has actually worked.
1. The "Invest in Dubai" Platform
For a new business setup in Dubai, the "Invest in Dubai" portal is a marvel. For many mainland licenses, you no longer need to visit a dozen different government offices. You can pick the activity of your business setup in Dubai, reserve your trade name, and pay your fees in a single sitting. In 2026, simple professional or consultancy licenses are often issued in less than 24 hours.
2. 100% Ownership as Standard
Not too long ago, the most "difficult" part of a business set up Dubai was finding a "Local Sponsor", a UAE national who would own 51% of your company on paper. This created a lot of anxiety for foreign investors. Today, that hurdle is gone. For the vast majority of commercial and industrial activities, you can own 100% of your Dubai business setup on the Mainland, just as you would in a Free Zone. This has removed a massive layer of legal complexity and trust-based risk.
3. The Free Zone "One-Stop Shop"
Dubai’s Free Zones (like DMCC, IFZA, or DAFZA) have perfected the art of the "Easy Start." They act as your landlord, your licensing authority, and your visa sponsor all at once. For a freelancer or a small tech startup, a Free Zone business set up in Dubai is incredibly straightforward because the zone manages the "difficulty" for you.
If the licensing of a business setup in Dubai is so easy, why do people still struggle? The difficulty has shifted from "getting the paper" to "staying compliant and getting paid." In 2026, there are three specific areas where many entrepreneurs hit a brick wall.
1. The Banking GatekeepersThis is the single biggest "difficulty" in Dubai business setup today. Because the UAE is a global financial hub, the banks are under intense pressure to prevent money laundering. Opening a corporate account is no longer a "given"—it is a privilege. Banks now require extensive "Know Your Customer" (KYC) documentation. They want to see your business plan, your CV, your source of wealth, and often proof of a physical office or local residential address. This is where a business setup company in Dubai earns its fee, by knowing which bank is currently "open" to your specific industry.
2. The Attestation MazeWhile Dubai is digital, the rest of the world often isn't. If your new Dubai business setup is being owned by another company in the UK, USA, or India, you have to "attest" your corporate documents. This involves getting stamps from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country, the UAE Embassy there, and finally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE. It is a slow, expensive, and purely manual process that can cost thousands of dollars before you even start your business set up in Dubai.
3. The New Era of Tax and SubstanceUntil recently, the UAE was seen as a "tax haven". In 2026, that is a dangerous misconception. The introduction of 9% Corporate Tax has made accounting mandatory. You must now register for tax, keep proper books, and file annual returns. Furthermore, if you are a Free Zone company looking to claim "0% tax", you must prove "Economic Substance", meaning you must have a real office, real employees, and real decision making happening inside the UAE.
CONCLUSIONIt is "Easy" to start, but "Difficult" to perfect. The government has cleared the path for you to enter the market, but they have also raised the bar for who is allowed to stay. In 2026, Dubai wants serious businesses, not just visa-seekers. If you go into the process of a Dubai business setup, thinking it’s a 5-minute task, you will find it incredibly difficult. If you go into it knowing that you need a solid business plan, a clean financial history, and a commitment to local tax laws, you will find it to be one of the most efficient places on earth to have a business set up Dubai.
1. Can I do a business setup in Dubai on my own?
Yes, but with a warning. If you are a local resident with a simple consultancy idea, the government portals are very intuitive. However, if you are an international investor, the "difficulty" lies in the strategy. Choosing the wrong Free Zone or the wrong business activity can make it impossible to open a bank account later. Using a business setup company in Dubai is usually worth it simply to avoid the "Small Mistake" that costs AED 20,000 to fix.
2. What is the most "difficult" industry to have a business set up in Dubai?
Anything involving physical goods (import/export), healthcare, or cryptocurrency. These require "External Approvals" from bodies like the Dubai Municipality, the Health Authority, or VARA. Each of these bodies has its own set of rules that sit on top of the standard trade license requirements.
3. Is it easier to get a visa now?
The visa process itself is very efficient. Once the license of your Dubai business setup is issued, the "Golden Visa" and "Green Visa" options have made it much easier for talented individuals to stay long-term. The medical test and Emirates ID process usually take less than a week. The difficulty isn't getting the visa; it’s maintaining the business activity required to keep it.