Company Incorporation
in Dubai & UAE
From AED 5,500
We don’t just issue licenses — we design your company structure to avoid tax exposure, cost traps & compliance penalties. Free zone, mainland & offshore. Trade license, visa, bank account & full tax registration included.
Free Zone Company Setup
License + Visa + Tax Registration
- ✓ Trade license issuance
- ✓ 100% foreign ownership
- ✓ Investor/employee visa processing
- ✓ Corporate Tax registration
- ✓ VAT registration (if applicable)
- ✓ Bank account opening assistance
Company Setup Done Right — Not Just Fast
Most business setup agents sell you the cheapest license. We design your company structure to prevent problems down the road — wrong activity penalties, unexpected renewal fees, corporate tax exposure, banking rejections, and visa limitations.
Because your incorporation decisions impact everything that follows: banking approvals, visa quotas, renewal costs, UAE Corporate Tax exposure (9%), VAT obligations, and compliance penalties. Getting the structure wrong costs far more than the setup fee.
What makes us different:
✓ We map your business activities to the correct license category and best-fit free zone
✓ We forecast license fees, visa costs, office requirements & renewal budgets for Years 1–5
✓ We assess Corporate Tax exposure, free zone qualification (QFZP), VAT thresholds & transfer pricing
✓ We handle CT registration, VAT registration & accounting setup from Day 1
✓ We don’t disappear after license issuance — we’re your ongoing compliance partner
💡 Why this matters: Many founders choose licenses based only on price but later face wrong activity penalties, AED 10,000 late CT registration fines, unexpected renewal costs, and banking rejections. We prevent these before incorporation.
Mainland vs Free Zone vs Offshore — Which Is Right for You?
Your choice of jurisdiction determines how you trade, who you can invoice, how many visas you get, and your tax obligations.
| Feature | Free Zone | Mainland (DED) | Offshore |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% Foreign Ownership | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (since 2020) | ✅ Yes |
| Trade within UAE | ⚠ Limited (international focus) | ✅ Unrestricted | ❌ No UAE trading |
| Setup Cost (from) | AED 5,500 | AED 15,000 | AED 9,000 |
| Setup Time | 3–5 working days | 2–4 weeks | 3–5 working days |
| Physical Office Required | Flexi-desk / virtual options | ✅ Physical office (Ejari) | ❌ No |
| Investor Visa | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Corporate Tax | 0% on qualifying income (QFZP) | 9% above AED 375K | Generally exempt |
| VAT | Standard 5% applies | Standard 5% applies | Not applicable |
| Best For | International business, consultants, e-commerce, tech | Local UAE market, retail, F&B, construction | Holding companies, asset protection |
Free Zones We Set Up Companies In
We are registered partners with all major UAE free zones. We help you pick the zone that matches your activity, budget, and visa needs.
IFZA
Most affordable for consultants & freelancers. Digital setup, flexible packages, located in Dubai Silicon Oasis. From AED 5,500.
DMCC
World’s #1 free zone. Ideal for trading, commodities, crypto. Premium JLT address. QFZP eligible. From AED 15,000.
JAFZA
Logistics, manufacturing & warehousing hub. Direct port access. Ideal for import/export businesses. From AED 12,000.
RAKEZ
Most cost-effective in Ras Al Khaimah. Industrial & service licenses. Great for budget-conscious startups. From AED 5,500.
DIFC & ADGM
Regulated financial centres. For banks, funds, fintech, insurance. Common law jurisdiction. Premium but powerful.
DAFZA & DSO
DAFZA near Dubai airport for aviation & trade. DSO for tech & IT companies. Both offer competitive packages.
Meydan & SRTIP
Modern digital-first zones. Meydan for e-commerce & services. SRTIP for research & technology. Affordable entry.
SAIF & DWC
SAIF Zone in Sharjah for cost-effective setups. DWC (Dubai South) for logistics near Al Maktoum Airport.
Company Setup Cost in Dubai — 2026 Breakdown
Real costs, not “starting from” marketing. Here’s what you actually pay.
| Cost Component | Free Zone | Mainland LLC |
|---|---|---|
| Trade License | AED 5,500 – 20,000/yr | AED 10,000 – 25,000/yr |
| Registration Fee | Included or AED 1,000 – 3,500 | AED 1,000 – 3,000 |
| Office Space | Flexi-desk: AED 5,000 – 15,000/yr | Physical: AED 15,000 – 60,000/yr |
| Investor Visa (per visa) | AED 3,000 – 6,000 | AED 3,500 – 7,000 |
| Health Insurance | AED 1,200 – 3,000/yr per person | AED 1,200 – 3,000/yr per person |
| Emirates ID | AED 370 | AED 370 |
| CT Registration (Fastlane) | AED 199 | AED 199 |
| Accounting (Fastlane) | From AED 499/month | From AED 499/month |
| Typical First-Year Total | AED 18,000 – 35,000 | AED 30,000 – 80,000 |
💡 Fastlane advantage: We bundle CT registration (AED 199), accounting (from AED 499/mo), and VAT registration into your setup — so you’re compliant from Day 1 without juggling multiple providers.
What’s Included in Our Company Setup Service
Trade License Issuance
Activity mapping, trade name reservation, license application & issuance with the correct free zone or DED.
Visa Processing
Investor visa, employee visas, family sponsorship. Entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, visa stamping.
Office Solutions
Flexi-desk, virtual office, or physical office. Matched to your visa quota and activity requirements.
Bank Account Opening
Introduction to UAE banks, document preparation, and application support. Business & personal accounts.
Corporate Tax Registration
Mandatory CT registration with the FTA via EmaraTax. Included at AED 199. Details →
VAT Registration
If your turnover exceeds AED 375,000 (mandatory) or AED 187,500 (voluntary). Details →
Our 5-Step Company Setup Process
Free Consultation
We assess your business, advise on jurisdiction, activity, and structure. Free & no obligation.
Structure Design
We map activities, forecast costs for Years 1–5, and plan your tax position.
License & Visa
Trade license issued, visa processed, Emirates ID & medical completed.
Bank & Compliance
Bank account opened, CT registered, VAT registered, accounting set up.
Ongoing Support
Annual renewal, accounting, tax filing, audit coordination & compliance.
💬 Ready to Start Your Business in Dubai?
Free consultation. We’ll advise the best structure, free zone, and budget for your specific business.
Why Choose Fastlane for Company Incorporation
Tax-Aware Structuring
We don’t just issue licenses. We assess CT exposure, QFZP qualification, VAT thresholds, and structure your company to minimise tax — legally.
No Year-1 Cost Traps
We forecast all costs for Years 1–5: license renewal, visa renewal, office, accounting, CT filing. No surprises after setup.
All-in-One Partner
Company setup + accounting (AED 499/mo) + CT registration (AED 199) + VAT filing + payroll. One provider, fully integrated compliance.
40+ Free Zones
IFZA, DMCC, JAFZA, RAKEZ, DIFC, DSO, DWC, MEYDAN, SRTIP, DAFZA, SAIF — we’re registered with all major zones and advise the best fit.
What Our Clients Say
“Fastlane didn’t just set up my IFZA company — they advised me on CT registration, helped with VAT, and set up my accounting from Day 1. Best all-in-one business setup service in Dubai.”
“I was about to set up in the wrong free zone — Fastlane showed me the cost difference over 5 years and saved me AED 40,000+. Incredible advisory, not just paperwork pushers.”
“Mainland LLC setup, visa, bank account, CT registration — all handled by Fastlane. They even filed my first corporate tax return. True end-to-end service.”
FAQ — Company Incorporation Dubai
Free zone: from AED 5,500 (license only) or AED 12,000–18,000 with one visa. Mainland LLC: from AED 15,000–30,000 excluding office. Typical first-year total: AED 18,000–35,000 (free zone) or AED 30,000–80,000 (mainland).
Mainland companies trade freely within the UAE. Free zone companies focus on international trade. Mainland needs physical office + DED registration. Free zone offers bundled packages, faster setup (3–5 days), and potential 0% corporate tax (QFZP).
Yes. Since the 2020 amendment to the UAE Commercial Companies Law, foreigners can own 100% of mainland LLCs in most activities. Free zone companies have always allowed 100% foreign ownership.
Free zone: 3–5 working days. Mainland: 2–4 weeks. Visa processing adds 2–4 weeks. Bank account opening: 1–3 weeks depending on the bank.
Passport copies of all shareholders, UAE visa (if applicable), business plan or activity description, proof of address, passport photographs. Mainland also needs MOA and Ejari-registered lease.
No. Remote setup is possible via Power of Attorney. Many free zones offer fully digital setup. However, you’ll need to visit for visa stamping, Emirates ID, and bank account opening.
IFZA/Meydan for affordable consulting. DMCC for trading/commodities. JAFZA for logistics. DIFC/ADGM for finance. RAKEZ for budget setups. Contact Fastlane for free zone recommendation.
CT registration is mandatory for all businesses within 3 months of license issuance. VAT is mandatory if turnover exceeds AED 375,000. Fastlane handles both as part of your setup.
Yes. As a company owner, you get a 2–3 year UAE residence visa. You can sponsor employees and family. Visa quota depends on office space and free zone rules.
License renewal (AED 5,000–20,000), office lease, visa renewals (AED 3,000–5,000 each), health insurance, accounting (AED 499/mo with Fastlane), CT filing, and compliance costs. Plan for 70–100% of initial fees.
Start Your Business in Dubai — The Right Way
Free zone from AED 5,500 • Mainland from AED 15,000 • 100% ownership • Tax-aware structuring • Ongoing compliance
Reviewed by
Fastlane Business Setup & Tax Advisory Team
This page has been reviewed by our company incorporation specialists with expertise in UAE free zone and mainland business setup, activity licensing, visa processing, and post-setup tax compliance. Reflects 2026 UAE Commercial Companies Law, DED regulations, and free zone authority requirements. Last updated: March 2026.