Dubai Service Costs and Packages
This table is designed for initial planning. Final cost depends on license route, shareholder profile, visa scope, compliance readiness, and execution conditions.
Cost Overview
Core Services Cost Estimate
LLC Company Formation in Dubai
Cost Range
AED 23,500 - 25,000
Timeline
7 - 10 business days
LLC Company Formation in Dubai with practical steps, document checklist, and transparent cost/timeline framing.
Service Company Setup in Dubai
Cost Range
AED 14,500 - 23,500
Timeline
7 - 10 business days
Service Company Setup in Dubai with practical steps, document checklist, and transparent cost/timeline framing.
General Trading License in Dubai
Cost Range
AED 35,500
Timeline
7 - 10 business days
General Trading License in Dubai with practical steps, document checklist, and transparent cost/timeline framing.
Investor Visa in Dubai
Cost Range
AED 14,500 - 35,500 (linked to company package)
Timeline
7 - 10 business days
Investor Visa in Dubai with practical steps, document checklist, and transparent cost/timeline framing.
Family Residency in Dubai
Cost Range
AED 7,000 - 8,000 + AED 3,000 deposit
Timeline
7 - 10 business days
Family Residency in Dubai with practical steps, document checklist, and transparent cost/timeline framing.
Personal Bank Account Opening in Dubai
Cost Range
Free with package / Case-based
Timeline
Bank-dependent
Personal Bank Account Opening in Dubai with practical steps, document checklist, and transparent cost/timeline framing.
Corporate Bank Account Opening in Dubai
Cost Range
AED 0 - 7,900
Timeline
Bank-dependent
Corporate Bank Account Opening in Dubai with practical steps, document checklist, and transparent cost/timeline framing.
Buying Apartments in Dubai
Cost Range
Project-based
Timeline
Project-dependent
Buying Apartments in Dubai with practical steps, document checklist, and transparent cost/timeline framing.
What's Included
What's Included in the Setup Cost?
The cost of company setup in Dubai is not a single number it's a combination of government fees, consultancy charges, execution costs, and ancillary services. Understanding each component helps you build a more realistic estimate and avoid unexpected expenses. Below we break down the main components of setup cost in detail.
License Fee
Includes commercial, industrial, or professional license registration in the chosen jurisdiction. Pricing varies between free zone and mainland and by activity type. Free zones typically offer bundled packages.
Office Cost
Company registration requires a business address. Options include flexi desk, virtual office, or dedicated space. Annual costs range from AED 5,000 (≈ 225 میلیون تومان) to AED 50,000 (≈ 2.3 میلیارد تومان) depending on the zone.
Visa Cost
Residency visa issuance for directors and shareholders includes entry permit, medical examination, Emirates ID, and passport stamping fees.
Consultancy Fee
Advisory services include structure review, document preparation, application follow-up, and government coordination. This is the core value-add of a professional consultant.
Translation & Attestation
Documents such as passports, power of attorney, and memoranda may require official translation and embassy attestation.
Trade Name Approval
Registering and approving the company's trade name carries a separate fee, and additional approvals may be needed depending on activity type.
Hidden Costs
Hidden Costs Most Providers Don't Mention
One of the biggest challenges for new entrepreneurs in Dubai is the costs not included in the initial quoted price by many consulting firms. These hidden costs can add 30-50% to total expenditure and create unexpected financial pressure if not planned for in advance.
Rework Costs
If documents are incomplete or the wrong structure was chosen, correction and re-registration can cost thousands. Choosing an experienced advisor from the start dramatically reduces this risk.
Delay Costs
Delays in the registration process mean delayed business operations, lost opportunities, and ongoing costs without revenue. Each week of delay carries an indirect cost.
Initial Banking Costs
Minimum balance requirements, transaction fees, corporate credit cards, and online banking service fees are often overlooked in initial estimates.
Accounting Costs
Maintaining financial records, preparing tax reports, and filing VAT returns requires professional accounting services.
PRO & Government Fees
PRO services include typing, government office visits, document renewals, and miscellaneous government fees that accumulate throughout the year.
Renewal Costs
Annual Renewal Costs Breakdown
Setup cost is just the beginning. Each year, licenses, residency, and related services must be renewed. Planning for these costs from day one is essential because late renewal carries heavy penalties and may result in license or residency cancellation. Annual renewal costs range from AED 15,000 (≈ 675 میلیون تومان) to AED 80,000 (≈ 3.6 میلیارد تومان) depending on file structure.
License Renewal
Annual trade license renewal fee
Residency Renewal
Including visa and Emirates ID
Office Renewal
Office or workspace lease contract
Cost Comparison
Cost Comparison: Free Zone vs Mainland
One of the most critical decisions in the company setup journey is choosing between free zone and mainland. Each route has a different cost structure, and the wrong choice can create thousands of dirhams in unnecessary expense. Free zones typically offer ready-made packages with more transparent pricing, while mainland provides greater flexibility in business activities but with more scattered costs.
Free Zone
- Bundled license + office packages more transparent pricing
- 100% foreign ownership without local partner requirement
- Restrictions on direct trade with domestic market
- Entry cost: from AED 10,000 (≈ 450 میلیون تومان) to AED 35,000 (≈ 1.6 میلیارد تومان)
- Potential corporate tax exemption for qualifying activities
- Simpler annual renewal with integrated process
Mainland
- Unlimited access to local and government markets
- 100% foreign ownership (since 2021 for most activities)
- Higher government fees and more complex process
- Entry cost: from AED 15,000 (≈ 675 میلیون تومان) to AED 50,000 (≈ 2.3 میلیارد تومان)
- Subject to 9% corporate tax on net profit
- Requires PRO services for government interactions
Visa Costs
Visa and Residency Cost Structure
Residency visa costs in Dubai consist of several separate stages, each with its own fee. Total cost varies depending on visa type (investor, employee, family) and processing speed. An investor visa typically costs between AED 3,500 (≈ 157.5 میلیون تومان) to AED 7,000, (≈ 315 میلیون تومان) while family visas (spouse and children) carry separate fees.
Entry Permit
Initial entry authorization to begin residency cost varies by country of origin.
Medical Examination
Health screening at authorized centers standard cost approximately AED 500 (≈ 22.5 میلیون تومان).
Emirates ID
Biometric registration and ID card issuance cost depends on validity period.
Visa Stamping
Residency visa stamp in passport official fee approximately AED 500 (≈ 22.5 میلیون تومان).
Family Visa
Separate cost per spouse and child includes all above stages.
Express Processing
Faster processing available at additional cost in some jurisdictions.
Banking Costs
Banking Setup and Maintenance Costs
Opening a corporate bank account in Dubai is a process whose cost and timeline vary depending on the chosen bank, company type, and file structure. Some banks require high initial minimum balances, others charge monthly maintenance fees, and several banks collect separate due diligence review fees. Selecting the right bank should be done simultaneously with designing the company structure.
Minimum Balance
From AED 5,000 (≈ 225 میلیون تومان) to AED 100,000 (≈ 4.5 میلیارد تومان) depending on bank
Monthly Fee
From AED 0 to AED 500 (≈ 22.5 میلیون تومان) per month
Credit Card
Annual fee from AED 500 (≈ 22.5 میلیون تومان) to AED 2,000 (≈ 90 میلیون تومان)
Online Banking
Free to AED 1,000 (≈ 45 میلیون تومان) annually
PRO Services
PRO Service and Execution Costs
PRO (Public Relations Officer) services cover all executive and administrative tasks related to government entity interactions. From document typing and attestation to in-person government office visits, application follow-ups, and scheduling coordination. For companies without a local team or unfamiliar with Dubai's administrative processes, PRO services are essential. Annual PRO service costs range from AED 5,000 (≈ 225 میلیون تومان) to AED 25,000 (≈ 1.1 میلیارد تومان) depending on workload.
- Government form typing and submission
- In-person visits to DED, immigration, and other authorities
- Tracking application and permit status
- License and visa renewal coordination
- Official document attestation and translation
- Courier and document delivery services
Budgeting
How to Budget for the First 2 Years
The most common mistake new entrepreneurs in Dubai make is focusing solely on initial registration cost. The reality is that Year 1 costs (registration + visa + office + banking) typically represent 60-70% of total two-year expenditure, with the remaining 30-40% covering Year 2 renewals, accounting, insurance, and PRO services. Without a two-year financial plan, many companies face cash flow issues in their second year.
Year 1: Setup
Includes license, visa, office, banking, and consulting. The largest cost concentration occurs in this phase.
Year 1: Operational
Accounting, insurance, PRO, and ongoing office costs begin from month three onwards.
Year 2: Renewals
License, visa, lease, and insurance renewals. Planning should begin from month 10 of Year 1.
Emergency Reserve
At least 10-15% of total budget should be set aside for unexpected costs.
Tax Costs
VAT registration, tax accounting, and return filing costs should be budgeted from Year 1.
Free Consultation
Alsama Group provides a transparent 2-year financial roadmap before any commitment begins.
Payment Plans
Payment Plan Options
Alsama Group understands that paying all costs upfront is not feasible for many entrepreneurs. That's why most cases offer installment payment options. The payment plan is transparently communicated before work begins and is tailored to the case volume and type. Each payment milestone is linked to a specific checkpoint in the registration process.
Initial Payment
Typically 40-50% of total cost paid at case initiation to begin processing.
Mid-Stage Payment
20-30% upon license receipt and before visa processing begins.
Final Payment
Remaining balance after visa completion and final document handover.
Custom Plans
For large or family cases, tailored payment schedules are designed.
No Hidden Fees
All cost items are listed and confirmed before work begins.
Full Transparency
Case progress reports and invoices provided at every stage.
Cost Analysis
How to Evaluate Costs Properly
In Dubai files, entry price is only part of the picture. A professional cost model includes three layers: entry costs, mid-route execution costs, and renewal/maintenance costs.
This becomes critical when residency is the primary objective, because residency, banking, tax, and renewal costs must be planned together.
Cost Drivers
Drivers of Final Cost
- License type and selected activity scope
- Shareholder count and file complexity
- Visa volume and family-residency needs
- Document readiness and rework risk
- Need for extra banking, tax, or PRO support
What is the exact cost of setup?
It depends on license type, structure, visa count, and execution; that’s why we give ranges.
Why do costs vary?
Jurisdiction, activity type, shareholder count, and support level all affect pricing.
Are there annual costs?
Yes. License and residency renewal and some compliance services have annual cost.
Are website prices final?
No. They are for initial planning; precise figures follow case review.
Can we pay in stages?
In many cases yes.
Is family residency costed separately?
Yes, family files are costed separately.