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Business Bay at night, looking toward the Burj Khalifa

Dubai

Business setup in Dubai

Dubai is the default and, for a great many businesses, still the right answer — not because it is cheapest but because everybody else has already decided it is normal. Banks open Dubai files…

14 free zones 1 mainland authority 1 offshore registry

The character of the place

Why choose Dubai?

Dubai is the default and, for a great many businesses, still the right answer — not because it is cheapest but because everybody else has already decided it is normal. Banks open Dubai files faster. Landlords, insurers and customers know what a DET or DMCC licence is. Suppliers extend credit against it. That accumulated familiarity is a real asset and it is most of what the premium buys.

The catch. It is rarely the cheapest option and the gap is widening. A licence that costs AED 15,000 in Dubai costs half that an hour up the coast, and for a business whose clients will never look up the address, the difference compounds every year.

Every authority

Where you can license in Dubai.

All 16 licensing authorities in the emirate, with issuance times. Each opens a page on what it is good at and what to watch.

DMCCDubai Multi Commodities Centre2–3 weeksFree zoneDIFCDubai International Financial Centre4–8 weeksFree zoneJAFZAJebel Ali Free Zone2–4 weeksFree zoneDAFZADubai Airport Free Zone2–4 weeksFree zoneIFZAInternational Free Zone Authority3–5 daysFree zoneMeydanMeydan Free Zone4–7 daysFree zoneDubai SouthDubai South (DWC)2–4 weeksFree zoneDICDubai Internet City3–5 weeksFree zoneDMCDubai Media City3–5 weeksFree zoned3Dubai Design District3–5 weeksFree zoneDHCCDubai Healthcare City6–10 weeksFree zoneDWTCDWTC Free Zone3–6 weeksFree zoneDSODubai Silicon Oasis2–4 weeksFree zoneDMCDubai Maritime City3–5 weeksFree zoneDETDubai mainland — Department of Economy & Tourism1–2 weeks after tenancyMainlandJAFZA OffshoreJAFZA Offshore companies1–2 weeksOffshore

Questions

A free zone licence with one visa generally starts around AED 12,500–25,000 for the first year depending on the zone and activity. Mainland runs higher — commonly AED 30,000–50,000 once tenancy and Ejari are included. Visa count and premises drive the total far more than the licence fee does.

IFZA and Meydan sit at the lower end of Dubai free zones for a service licence with one visa. If the Dubai address is not essential, SHAMS in Sharjah or Ajman Media City cost materially less for a comparable licence.

Yes. Free zones have always allowed it, and since the 2021 amendment to the Commercial Companies Law most mainland activities do too. A short strategic-impact list still requires an Emirati partner or local service agent.

Next

One question

What do you actually need in Dubai?