Start a business
Start a business in Dubai.
Company formation with DHCC Free Zone. Choose your business activities, see every setup fee upfront and apply online for your free zone trade license.
From AED 12,500a year, flexi-desk included
2,000+ activitiesup to 3 groups on one license
- AED 12,500trade license a year, with a flexi-desk
- 2,000+business activities to choose from
- 3activity groups on one license
- 15%saved on a 2 or 3-year license
How to set up a company in Dubai.
Six steps, start to finish.
- 01
Choose your business activities.
Search 2,000+ activities and combine up to three activity groups on one trade license. We show which activities need an extra approval.
- 02
Pick your company name.
Check your name against the UAE trade name rules. Your company is registered as an FZ-LLC.
- 03
Build your package.
Choose a 1, 2 or 3-year license, the visas you need and any extras. The calculator shows every fee as you go.
- 04
Apply and upload documents.
Submit your application online with passport copies and the other documents your adviser confirms.
- 05
Sign and pay.
Review and sign your company documents, then pay your fees online.
- 06
Get your trade license.
Once approved, we issue your license. Then apply for your establishment card, residence visas and corporate bank account.
Documents you need to set up your company.
Individual shareholders and managers usually need:
- A clear passport copy
- A passport-size photo
- Proof of residential address, such as a utility bill
- Your UAE visa and Emirates ID, if you live in the UAE
Company shareholders usually need their certificate of incorporation, constitutional documents and a board resolution, legalized or attested where required.
Some activities need more, such as professional qualifications or a business plan. Your adviser confirms the exact list before you apply.
Why set up your company with DHCC Free Zone.
100% foreign ownership.
Own all of your company, with no local partner or sponsor.
Every fee upfront.
See your total setup cost, line by line, before you apply.
Licensed directly by us.
We issue and renew your trade license ourselves, here in Dubai.
Apply online.
Apply, upload documents, sign and pay online. Some visa steps take place in the UAE.
In the heart of Dubai.
Our home is Dubai Healthcare City, near the Dubai Healthcare City Metro Station.
Support after setup.
Visas, banking, tax registration and renewals, from one team.
Compare free zone license packages.
Calculate your cost
Flexi-desk included
Flexi-desk included
Flexi-desk included
Up to 3 activity groups
Up to 3 activity groups
Up to 3 activity groups
—
15% off the license fee
15% off the license fee
Free zone or mainland company?
A free zone company suits most founders who trade internationally, offer services, or want a simple setup with every fee upfront. You get 100% ownership, a flexi-desk and a license issued directly by us.
A mainland company is licensed by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism and can trade directly across the UAE market, but it needs a physical office.
Guides for your next step.
Company setup
How to set up a business in Dubai: a step-by-step guide
A step-by-step guide to setting up a business in Dubai, from choosing a free zone or the mainland to your license, visas, bank account and tax.
Read moreLicensing & costs
Business setup cost in Dubai: license, visa and extra fees explained
What a Dubai company costs in year one and after: license fees, multi-year savings, visa costs, optional extras and the yearly costs to plan for.
Read moreCompany setup
Company name rules in Dubai: how to choose a name that gets approved
The rules every Dubai company name must follow, the most common reasons names are rejected, and how to check yours before you apply.
Read more
Ready to start your business in Dubai?
Talk to an adviser today, or work out your setup cost in a few minutes.
Starting a business in Dubai: FAQs.
It depends on your business activities, any approvals they need and how quickly your documents are ready. Your adviser gives you a timeline when you apply.
Yes. Free zone companies can be fully foreign-owned, with no local partner or sponsor.
No. You can own and run your company from abroad. You only need a UAE residence visa if you plan to live and work here.
Most new companies are set up as a Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC). If you already own a company, talk to an adviser about opening a branch.
No. A flexi-desk is included with every DHCC Free Zone license. You can move to a fixed desk or a private office as your business grows.
Yes. You can apply, sign and pay online. Some visa steps, such as the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics, take place in the UAE.
Start your business in Dubai today.
Tell us about your plans and a DHCC Free Zone business setup adviser will contact you.
- Talk to a real adviser
- Every fee explained upfront
- Help with activities, visas and banking
Thank you, there.
A DHCC Free Zone adviser will contact you on WhatsApp soon.
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