A mainland quotation may itemise government and premises-related costs separately. A Free Zone may bundle the licence, registration and workspace into one package.
A mainland setup quotation may include:
Depending on the activity, it may exclude:
The official Invest in Dubai portal allows entrepreneurs to search activities and explore mainland company setup options. Dubai business-activity search
A Free Zone package may include:
It may exclude:
Some packages include one trade-name application. Others charge it separately.
Check whether the quotation includes:
Submitting additional names after rejection may create extra charges or delays.
Initial approval allows the entrepreneur to proceed with the setup process, subject to completing all remaining requirements.
Confirm whether the package includes:
Initial approval does not normally mean the company can begin operating.
The package should identify whether it includes:
Do not assume every corporate document is included merely because the licence will be issued.
Check how many activities are included and whether they are compatible.
Questions to ask include:
What is the exact activity name?
What is the activity code?
Does it cover the real business model?
Is only one activity included?
What is the cost of additional activities?
Can commercial and professional activities be combined?
Does the activity need external approval?
Does e-commerce require an underlying trading activity?
Does the activity permit mainland transactions?
Does the activity affect office requirements?
An inexpensive package with the wrong activity has little commercial value.
Extra charges may apply for:
A corporate shareholder can require notarised, legalised, attested and translated documents.
Possible structures include:
The legal form can affect documentation, liability, ownership and government charges.
A quotation may include document preparation but exclude government notarisation.
Confirm whether it covers:
Some Free Zone packages include a registered address or flexi-desk. This does not necessarily mean the company receives a private physical office.
Clarify whether the package provides:
Also confirm:
The premises cost depends on:
Do not sign a lease until the location is confirmed as suitable for the activity.
Additional charges may apply for businesses involving:
The regulator may require:
A company planning to sponsor residence visas generally requires immigration establishment registration.
ICP describes the establishment card as an electronic record containing information including the trade name, licence number, partners and activity. ICP establishment services
Ask whether the package includes:
A licence-and-visa package that excludes establishment registration may be incomplete.
A package advertised as including a visa may include only the visa allocation rather than the complete residence process.
Confirm whether the price covers:
ICP's published residence services separately identify application, issuance, status-adjustment and smart-service charges for relevant categories. ICP residence-permit service
Therefore, "one visa included" should never be accepted without a detailed breakdown.
Employee visa packages may involve:
Confirm whether the amount covers only the immigration visa or the complete employment process.
Adult residence applicants generally complete the applicable medical fitness process.
The package may exclude:
Confirm whether the package covers:
A quotation should not label a visa as fully inclusive if Emirates ID is excluded.
Ask whether the stated price includes an insurance policy or only assistance arranging one.
A shareholder or employee already inside the UAE may need an in-country status adjustment after the new entry permit is issued.
ICP's published service information currently lists status adjustment as a separate charge for relevant residence categories. ICP residence-permit fees
Check whether the package assumes the applicant is:
An investor visa package does not normally include visas for the shareholder's family.
Family sponsorship can create separate costs for:
A mainland company intending to hire employees may need labour establishment registration.
The package may exclude:
Trading and importing companies may need:
A general trading licence does not automatically include customs registration.
Separate registration may be required for:
The package may exclude:
Banking support may mean different things:
Ask whether the package includes:
Corporate Tax registration through the FTA is currently free of government service charges when completed directly through EmaraTax. The FTA may take up to 20 business days to process a completed application. FTA Corporate Tax registration
A consultant may separately charge for:
New UAE juridical persons generally have a specified registration deadline. The service should not be confused with annual Corporate Tax return preparation.
The FTA's VAT registration service is also currently free of government service charges. FTA VAT registration
Professional charges may apply for:
VAT registration is generally mandatory for a UAE-resident business when taxable supplies and imports exceed AED 375,000 under the applicable tests. Voluntary registration may generally be available from AED 187,500.
Possible accounting costs include:
Basic UBO declarations may be part of incorporation, but continuing compliance may not be included.
Separate professional support may be required for:
Audit or financial-statement requirements may arise from:
Confirm the first audit period, deadline and expected professional cost.
A setup quotation may combine government and professional fees into one total.
Request separate identification of:
Ask which amounts are:
A low first-year price may be supported by a promotion that does not continue.
Renewal can involve:
Additional charges may apply when changing:
If the business closes, costs may arise from:
Use the following process:
Exercise caution if the quotation:
KPM Global Services helps entrepreneurs understand the full cost of establishing and maintaining a Dubai business.
Our assistance may include:
Government, Free Zone, immigration and third-party charges may change. KPM Global Services can provide a current written quotation based on the applicant's actual requirements.