Dubai Business Setup Timeline & Cost Breakdown
When business people and international investors consider expansion, Dubai business setup is often at the forefront. Its state-of-the-art infrastructure, geographical positioning midways between East and West, tax-free haven, and forward-thinking vision render it a magnet. But whatever your evaluation of your initial venture or setting up a new business in Dubai, you require certainty over timelines and budgets. That is where Bizvise License Company, one of the top business setup firms in Dubai, comes in translating complexity into confidence.
Let's take you through precisely how long a Dubai business set up actually takes and what you can reasonably expect to pay along the way, no tables, just plain, straightforward narrative.
Getting the Lay of the Land: The Business Setup Timeline in Dubai
Beginning with the Proper BlueprintYour path starts from choosing your business activity, your legal structure, and jurisdiction. Will you opt for the liberty of a free zone, the flexibility of a mainland licence or the anonymity of an offshore setup? This all-important choice will usually take you a day or two unless you are torn between several choices, in which case a quick consultation with Bizvise, your reliable business setup company in Dubai, can speed up that process.
Once your choice is settled, the name reservation and initial approvals come into play. This will take a day or two or more depending on whether your preferred name requires some minor adjustments to comply with local naming rules.
Navigating Approval and License ApplicationWith a name reserved, the license application is next. For most run-of-the-mill trade or professional licenses, this is done in three to five days, depending on the jurisdiction and nature of your business activities. Free zones even provide express services getting your application in in the morning and a license in your hands the following day.
Obtaining Your Physical (or Virtual) AddressYou'll require an office facility, either physical or virtual. Setting this up typically takes one to three days, most free zones package office solutions along with their license packages. Should you be looking at a mainland setup, Bizvise assists you in considering alternatives such as flexi-desks or managed offices, according to your budget and requirements, and we act quickly to have your setup finalized.
Final Approvals & IssuanceOnce everything is documented, you wait for final approvals and issuance of licenses. This typically takes about two to five days in most cases. Once more, free zones offering express options can easily reduce this timeframe.
Visa Processing (If Required)If you are going to live and work in Dubai, sponsor workers, or import investors, visa processing steps are next. Adding medical tests, Emirates ID processing and stamping, this usually takes five to ten business days. Bizvise takes care of each step—from scheduling medical appointments to arranging with immigration officials so that you can take care of your business, not bureaucracy.
The Overall TimelineFrom the choice of jurisdiction and business activity to obtaining your license, you're typically talking about two weeks all in. With expert guidance from Bizvise, some customers get a business setup in Dubai done within one week especially if all your documents are in place and express services are an option.
Behind the Numbers: Cost Structure of Dubai Business SetupFees necessarily differ based on decisions such as jurisdiction, office type, visas, and business activity. But here's a narrative explanation of what goes into the investment of a new business setup in Dubai and how Bizvise, a leading business setup company in Dubai, makes each step transparent.
Trading Names & ApprovalsIt starts with selecting and reserving your trade name. For most jurisdictions, this is a small price to pay usually in the order of AED 600 to AED 1,000. Then you have initial approval charges, which are required for proceeding to licensing and these can be between AED 1,000 and AED 2,000. Bizvise ensures you have a proper understanding of these registration-level fees upfront to prevent unexpected expenses.
Licensing FeesAfter approvals are secured, you proceed to the license issue trade license, professional license, industrial license, or whatever is specialized. This in most free zones or mainland configurations costs between AED 10,000 and AED 15,000. Some of the specialized zones might be a little higher. Bizvise will guide you exactly as per your activity of business so you're not paying for what you don't want.
Office Space & InfrastructureOffice needs are different. A virtual office or shared workspace can be AED 5,000 to AED 10,000 annually, while a physical office of its own may be in the range of AED 10,000 to AED 15,000 or more, depending on size and location. Bizvise assists you in discovering cost-effective alternatives, often negotiating package deals combining license and office, reducing your net setup cost dramatically.
Mainland-Specific Costs: Establishment Card & MoreIf you’re going mainland, you’ll need an Establishment Card, costing around AED 1,000 to AED 2,000. This card establishes your legal business entity with authorities. You’ll also handle additional documentation fees that Bizvise lays out clearly so you’re never caught off guard.
Visa-Related CostsSponsoring visas for yourself or your staff is a wise growth strategy. Visa costs will range from AED 3,000 to AED 7,000 per individual, depending on the visa and country of origin. Medical screening and Emirates ID processing typically cost AED 1,000 to AED 1,500. Bizvise walks you through each stage from pre-screening to stamping making visa establishment much easier to handle.
Total Estimated Range
So, how much is it all going to cost? For a standard new business setup in Dubai, plan on allocating AED 15,000 to AED 30,000 or more. Bizvise provides clarity, customization, and add-on packages letting you consider every cost factor against your business objectives, whether opening small or expanding large.
Mainland vs. Free Zone: Your Road AheadWhen considering business setup in Dubai, deciding between mainland and free zone is crucial. Let’s explore how they compare and how Bizvise supports your decision-making for a successful Dubai business setup.
Mainland AdvantagesA mainland license provides you with the autonomy to work throughout the UAE without geographical restrictions. It is best if you want to sell or offer services within the entire region. But certain business operations might necessitate a local service agent or sponsor. With Bizvise, you can analyze if taking a mainland will provide strategic benefits for your intentions or if a free zone would be more appropriate.
Free Zone BenefitsFree zones are supported by liberal incentives, including 100% foreign ownership, complete repatriation of earnings, and no corporate tax for a long time to come. They also tend to come with bundled office space, licensing, and visa deals at competitive prices—making them particularly attractive to startups and foreign businesses. Bizvise assists you in selecting the proper free zone suitable for your business activity, objectives, and budget.
Strategic Choice, Directed by BizviseEach entrepreneur has his or her own journey. Bizvise assists you in evaluating your choices from flexibility of mainland direct trading to cost and operational effectiveness in free zones. We consider aspects like shareholder structure, target markets, office requirements, and future business objectives to match your setup to your long-term strategy.
Why Bizvise License Company Is Your Perfect PartnerStarting a business setup in Dubai can be daunting but you don't have to navigate it by yourself. Here's why Bizvise, the reliable business setup company in Dubai, is different:
Tailored Strategy: We first get to know your objectives short and long-term to advise on the optimal jurisdiction, license type and support services.
Complete Handling: From pre-approval to license issuing, visa stamping and corporate bank introductions, Bizvise handles every aspect with care.
Transparent Pricing: No surprises here. You'll receive a transparent, line-by-line itemization of all fees from trade name registration to visas so you can plan ahead with confidence.
Efficiency and Speed: Most clients have their Dubai business set up in less than two weeks. With express service partners and streamlined documentation, even quicker setups are an option.
Aftercare Services: After your company is legally set up, Bizvise still stands by you with annual license renewal, visa renewal, PRO services and corporate facility installation.
Ready to Start Your Dubai Business?
You're looking into a new business setup in Dubai, don't do it yourself. Bizvise License Company is ready to make your experience easy, quick and entirely personalized to your goals.
From learning about cost structures to creating timelines each step is taken with professional care and expertise. Whether you're establishing in a free zone, expanding mainland or opening offshore, Bizvise makes your Dubai business setup seamless and secure.
Call Bizvise now for a customized consultation. Let's bring your dream to life with a strategic, effective and expertly guided business set up Dubai