Company formation in Dubai: your options
Setting up in Dubai means choosing between a mainland licence issued by Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and one of the free zones in the emirate. This page compares both routes and links to detailed guides.
| Route | Authority / scope | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland licence | Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) | UAE-wide market access; office lease usually required |
| Free zone licence | 19 zones covered here | Zone-specific; cost and rules vary |
The Dubai Development Authority (DDA) explained
Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, Dubai Design District, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai Production City, Dubai Outsource City and Dubai Science Park are districts regulated by the Dubai Development Authority (DDA) and operated commercially by TECOM Group. The DDA is the regulator and licensing authority for those districts — it is not a free zone you register in by itself — so ZoneWise has a page for each district and none for “the DDA”. Regulators of other Dubai zones differ (for example DMCC, JAFZA, DAFZ, DIFC, Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubai Healthcare City each have their own authority).
Free zones in Dubai
Dubai mainland company formation
Dubai mainland companies are licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DED). A DET licence lets you trade anywhere in Dubai and the wider UAE, serve consumers directly and bid for government work — with up to 100% foreign ownership for most activities.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Trade licence (government) | ≈ AED 11,500–13,500, plus name approval, initial approval, Tasheel and MoA |
| All-in, zero visa (government) | from ≈ AED 13,900 |
| All-in, one visa (government) | ≈ AED 18,750 |
| Establishment / immigration card | ≈ AED 750–2,000 one-off |
| Investor or partner visa | ≈ AED 3,500–6,000 each |
| Employee visa (incl. labour card) | ≈ AED 5,000–8,000 each |
| Office / desk | Rent extra — from a flexi arrangement to a private office |
Dubai free zone resources
Dubai company formation: FAQs
How much does company formation in Dubai cost?
It depends on the route. Published government costs for a Dubai mainland licence start at roughly AED 13,900 all-in for a zero-visa company and about AED 18,750 with one visa (reviewed July 2026), while Dubai free zones range from about AED 12,500 to over AED 100,000. Visas, office, professional fees and approvals are extra.
Should I choose a free zone or mainland in Dubai?
It depends on where your customers are. Mainland suits UAE-facing and government-facing businesses; a free zone suits international, online or holding activities. See the decision framework.
Who licenses mainland companies in Dubai?
Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Can foreigners own 100% of a company in Dubai?
For most activities, yes, in free zones and, since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law changes, on the mainland. Some regulated or strategic activities have conditions — confirm for your activity.
Get a written quote for Dubai
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We reply on WhatsApp or email with government fees shown separately from any service fee.
- Free, no obligation
- Honest advice — including when a different zone or mainland fits better
- No guarantee of visa or bank-account approval; both are subject to the relevant authority or bank
Information on this page is general and was compiled from public sources; fees and rules are set by the relevant authorities and change. Figures were last reviewed in July 2026 and exclude professional-service fees, office rent beyond any bundled desk, external approvals and bank requirements. This is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always confirm the current position with the relevant authority before paying. See our Disclaimer.