How much does a Dubai business licence cost?

A Dubai business licence cost depends on three things: the jurisdiction you choose, the business activity, and how many residence visas you need. A low-cost free zone package can start from a few thousand dirhams, while a mainland licence from the Department of Economy and Tourism is priced on the activity and office. We quote a fixed, itemised figure once these are known, with government fees shown separately from our service fee.

What makes up a Dubai licence cost?

The cost combines the licence fee itself, the registration and name fees, the cost of premises whether a flexi-desk or an office with an Ejari tenancy, the establishment card, and the fees for each residence visa you take. A trading or industrial activity may add approvals, and some regulated activities carry an external authority fee. Because these stack differently in each jurisdiction, the same business can cost very different amounts, which is why we price the whole package rather than a headline licence fee.

How much is a free zone licence?

Free zones price by package, and the value zones are the cheapest entry to a UAE licence: Ajman Free Zone starts from AED 4,888 all in, and SPC in Sharjah publishes packages from AED 5,750, each with government fees itemised on top. A Dubai free zone such as DMCC, IFZA or Meydan costs more but carries a Dubai address. The right figure depends on your activity count and visa quota, which we confirm before you commit.

How much is a mainland licence?

A mainland licence is issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism and priced on the activity, the legal form and the office you lease, so it is quoted per case rather than as a fixed package. Mainland lets you trade directly across the UAE and work with government entities, which a free zone company cannot do without a distributor or branch. We confirm the current Department of Economy and Tourism fees for your activity and the Ejari-registered office, then give one all-in figure.

How do I keep the licence cost down?

The biggest levers are the jurisdiction, the number of visas and the premises. A value free zone with a flexi-desk and only the visas you need is the lowest-cost route, while a prestigious Dubai address and a physical office cost more. Choosing the activity correctly the first time avoids a paid amendment later. We match the cheapest jurisdiction that still fits where your clients are and what you are licensed to do, so you do not overpay for a name.

What is the next step?

Tell us your activity, where your clients are and your visa needs, and we will name the right jurisdiction and a fixed all-in quote. See our mainland setup and free zone setup services, the cost calculator, and the Department of Economy and Tourism. We only quote figures we can trace to the issuing authority, so what you plan on is real and current.