How to set up a business in Dubai
The real steps to setting up a business in Dubai, in order, and how the whole thing gets done in about a week when it is run properly.
Setting up a business in Dubai comes down to three things: a trade licence, a registered address, and, if you are moving here, a residency visa. Run in the right order, most people are fully operating in under a week.
It only feels complicated when nobody shows you the sequence. Here it is.
The steps, in order
- Pick the right structure. Free zone or mainland. This decides your licence, your cost, and what you are allowed to do. Most founders moving over start in a free zone. More on that below.
- Get the trade licence. This is what makes the company real. It is the foundation everything else depends on.
- Sort your address. Every company needs a registered address. A flexi desk covers it and is included in a proper setup.
- Apply for your visa (if you are relocating). Your residency comes through your company once the licence is out.
- Open your bank account. This runs in parallel with your visa, not after it. It is the step most setups underestimate.
Mainland or free zone?
Short version: free zone if you sell internationally and want less admin, mainland if you need to trade directly inside the UAE market. We break this down properly in free zone vs mainland.
What you need to start
Usually just your passport to begin. The rest depends on your activity. We cover the full picture in what documents you need.
How long it takes
Most clients are set up in under a week, with several steps happening at the same time. See how long it takes.
What it costs
Setups start from around AED 10,000 and scale with visas and add-ons. We do not print fixed prices here, because they change. Your real, current number is in the cost calculator, in under a minute, no form.
How LivUp does it
We run all of it for you, in parallel, and show you every number before you commit. Speak to an advisor and we will tell you exactly where you stand.