A new business setup in Dubai, its excitement as well as confusion for entrepreneurs and investors. The city has all the facilities and the right environment for any business. The laws are business friendly and easy compared to many other countries in the world. In spite of all these, a business setup in Dubai raises several questions in the minds of entrepreneurs. One of them is regarding the time taken for a business setup in Dubai. The answer depends on several factors like the type of Dubai business setup, the location (mainland or free zone), and how prepared you are with your documents. In this article let’s see the process, timeline, and what you can do to speed up your business setup in Dubai.
A business license is the legal permission that allows you to operate your business setup in Dubai. It is issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) for mainland companies or by the respective free zone authority if you are opening a business in a free zone. The type of license depends on your Dubai business setup. For example:
Having the right license ensures your Dubai business setup operates legally without any fines.
If you get everything right, It only takes 3 to 10 working days to get a business license in Dubai. But this timeline will vary depending on the activity of your business setup in Dubai, location, and how quickly you complete each step of the registration process.
This is the general timeline:
So generally, a new business setup in Dubai can be completed in about a week or two, that is, if no additional approvals are needed and all documents are ready.
The first step is to identify the kind of business setup in Dubai you want to start. Dubai has more than 2,000 business activities that are approved and you can choose from them. The license will be basically of these types- trading, consulting, manufacturing or e-commerce. Your choice will determine the type of license your Dubai business setup will need.
Choose a Business StructureThe business structure defines how your business setup in Dubai will operate. If your business is in the mainland, most probably the Dubai business setup will be Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Sole Proprietorship. If in the free zones, your Dubai business setup can choose from Free Zone Establishment (FZE) or Free Zone Company (FZC).
Select a LocationNext is to choose the location for your business setup in Dubai. It can be either in the mainland or in the free zone. A Dubai business setup in the Mainland can trade directly within the UAE and with international markets and free zones offer 100% foreign ownership and tax benefits for Dubai business setups in the region.
Reserve a Business NameYou need a name for your business setup in Dubai, a name that follows Dubai’s naming guidelines should be chosen. It should not have any offensive words or religious terms. It should reflect your business type. Name approval for your Dubai business setup usually happens in a day or two.
Apply for Initial ApprovalThe initial approval shows that the government has no objection to your business idea. It is one of the first official steps in your Dubai business setup and takes around 2–3 working days.
Prepare and Submit DocumentsThe government requires several documents for your business setup in Dubai. Your passport copy, Emirates ID (if applicable), tenancy contract (for office space), and Memorandum of Association (MOA).
Get External ApprovalsThe activities of some business setup in Dubai —like healthcare, real estate, or education, will need additional approvals from some other authorities. Getting these may take extra days depending on the department.
Pay Fees and Collect the LicenseOnce all steps are done, you pay the license fee and receive your official license for your business setup in Dubai. From that moment, your company can legally start operations.
Mainland vs. Free Zone License TimelinesMainland Company Setup: Usually takes 7–10 business days, especially if your Dubai business setup activity needs government approval.
Free Zone Company Setup: Often completed in 3–5 days, since free zones handle all business setup in Dubai approvals internally.
For investors who want a fast business setup in Dubai, free zones like DMCC, IFZA, or Meydan Free Zone are popular choices.
How to Speed Up the Licensing ProcessIf you want to get the license for your business setup in Dubai fast, here are a few tips,
Some investors face challenges such as:
A professional business setup company in Dubai is of big help. They are familiar with the Dubai business setup process so they can easily overcome these issues.
CONCLUSIONTo set up a business in Dubai, you can either work alone or with a business setup company in Dubai. The process of a business setup in Dubai is a straightforward process but if you do not get the documents ready at the right time, you may delay the whole process ending up in frustration. A business setup company in Dubai can turn your dream of a business setup in Dubai into reality without any hassles.