Company Formation

Company Formation in Dubai

Free zone or mainland, licence to visa, with one fixed-price package and a person you can call, message or meet at our Al Twar office.

Where we work with

Packages and prices

Company formation in Dubai: what it costs

Our packages and their prices, as we publish them.

Popular

Dubai Mainland Setup

Starting from AED 15,900

  • Investor visa
  • Professional trade license
  • Multiple activities
  • Establishment card
  • 1 investor visa
  • Multiple shareholders
  • 100% ownership

UAE Freezone Setup

Starting from AED 5,750

  • Freezone trade license
  • 100% ownership
  • Trade license
  • Multiple activities
  • Free lease agreement

Dubai Freezone Business Setup

AED 12,900

  • Trade license
  • 3 business activities
  • Immigration card
  • Free lease agreement
  • 100% ownership

Prices as published on alainbcenter.com, checked 31 October 2026.

Cost calculator

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Pick a package and what you want us to run for you afterwards. The total only adds prices we publish.

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Your published-price total

FromAED 5,750
UAE Freezone SetupStarting from AED 5,750

Al Ain Business Center in numbers

10+Years of experience
AED 1,990Annual PRO Package+ VAT a year · For mainland companies with fewer than 5 people
6Authorities we work with
Mon–SatWalk-in supportShop 19, Arzoo Building, Al Twar, Al Qusais, Dubai
Working process

How it works

The steps below follow the mainland route, using the UAE Government’s guide and the DET registration step. Each one is handled by the authority named.

  1. Choose your structure and name

    Pick an LLC, sole proprietorship or branch office, then a unique trade name that follows the city’s trade name regulations.

    IFZA

  2. Secure the initial approval

    Foreign investors first need General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners’ Affairs approval, then initial approval, which means the UAE Government has no objection to the business being established.

    UAE Government

  3. Choose your location

    The premises must meet the emirate’s Department of Economic Development requirements and the municipality’s land planning regulations, and in Dubai the rental agreement must be registered with Ejari.

    UAE Government

  4. Get any further approvals

    Depending on your business type, you may need approvals and licences from the relevant government departments.

    IFZA

  5. Register with the DET

    Submit the required documents to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and pay the registration fees to obtain your trade licence. (ifza.com)

    DET

What can slow it down

  • Starting the initial approval before the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners’ Affairs has approved a foreign investor.
  • Missing an approval that your activity needs from a related government entity, such as for legal affairs, security affairs or financial securities and commodities.
  • Treating initial approval as permission to trade, when it does not grant the authority to run the activity.
  • A Dubai rental agreement that has not been registered with Ejari.
  • Premises that do not meet the Department of Economic Development requirements or the municipality’s land planning regulations.
  • A trade name that does not comply with the city’s trade name regulations.
Which package

Who it is for

Good fit

Company formation in Dubai suits founders who can meet a few clear requirements. The points below come from the official guidance on starting a business in the UAE (UAE Government portal).

  • Founders choosing between an LLC, a sole proprietorship or a branch office, the three legal structures listed for a Dubai company.
  • Investors with a physical office or warehouse address, because all businesses in the UAE must have one to operate.
  • Foreign investors ready to obtain approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners’ Affairs before initial approval.
  • Businesses registering on the mainland, where the trade licence is obtained through the DET.

Better suited to

Documents

Documents you need

Tick it off, then send it on WhatsApp or bring it in.

For the owners

For the business

Once your licence is issued, keep renewal in view. For trade license renewal, including required documents, deadlines and any fines, confirm the specific details with the licensing authority in your emirate.

Checklist

Start by gathering the papers below so each step has what it needs.

Send documents on WhatsApp

After year one

Keeping the licence alive should not cost a second licence

Our annual PRO package renews the trade licence and up to three visas for AED 1,990 + VAT a year. We checked what Dubai providers publish for the same job in October 2026.

See the annual PRO package →

Al Ain Business Center annual packageAED 1,990 + VAT
Other annual packages published in DubaiAED 4,600 – 10,000
Monthly PRO retainers, AED 1,500 – 3,000 a monthAED 18,000 – 36,000 a year

Ranges as published on our PRO package page; every provider lists government fees as extra. Scope: 1 licence, up to 3 visa renewals, mainland companies under 5 people. alainbcenter.com

Get in touch

Where to find us

Call, message us on WhatsApp, or walk in during office hours.

Languages English and Tagalog

Wooden dhows moored on Dubai Creek

Leave a number

Have any question?

+971 4 323 6477

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WhatsApp us

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The fastest way to reach us

Visit us

Shop 19, Arzoo Building, Al Twar, Al Qusais, Dubai

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Walk in for a consultation during office hours

Business hours

Monday–Friday 9:00–19:00, Saturday 10:00–17:00

FAQ

Questions people ask

What is company formation in Dubai and who is it for?

Company formation in Dubai means setting up a business as a limited liability company, a sole proprietorship or a branch office. It suits founders who can provide a physical office or warehouse address, since all UAE businesses need one to operate. Mainland registrations go through the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

What documents do I need before I start?

You need an office or warehouse rental agreement, which in Dubai must be registered with Ejari. You also need the local service agent agreement, attested by the notary public or the court. Foreign investors need General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners’ Affairs approval, and some activities need additional government approvals.

What is the first step?

The exact details depend on your situation and can change, so confirm them with the responsible official authority before you act. After that, you secure the initial approval, which does not grant the authority to run the business activity.

Can a foreign owner use this service?

Yes, foreign investors can go through the process, but they must first obtain the approval of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners’ Affairs before getting the initial approval. Check the specific requirements for your activity with the relevant authority.

Ready to get started?

Tell us what you need and we quote in writing.

Shop 19, Arzoo Building, Al Twar, Al Qusais, Dubai · Monday–Friday 9:00–19:00, Saturday 10:00–17:00

Sources

Photo: Business Bay at night, Robert Bock, Unsplash licence · Photo: Dubai Creek dhows, Nick Fewings, Unsplash licence