Business Setup in Dubai Price Guide 2026 – All Government Fees Explained

Business Setup in Dubai Price Guide 2026 – All Government Fees Explained. Complete Breakdown for Entrepreneurs & Expats

If you’re searching for business setup prices in Dubai for 2026, you’ve probably noticed something confusing:

Every website gives different numbers.
Every agency offers different “exclusive packages.”
Every ad promises “cheap business setup” — but the actual cost is always higher.

So what’s the truth?

👉 What does it REALLY cost to set up a business in Dubai in 2026?
👉 What government fees do you actually pay?
👉 What’s optional, what’s mandatory, and what’s a hidden cost?
👉 How do you avoid being overcharged?

This comprehensive 2026 Dubai Business Setup Price Guide gives you the clearest, most accurate, most beginner-friendly breakdown available anywhere.

You will learn:

• Mainland and Free Zone government fees
• License fees
• Visa fees
• Establishment card fees
• Office / Ejari fees
• Trade name fees
• Immigration fees
• “Hidden fees” agencies never tell you about
• Renewal costs
• Cost differences by activity (trading, consulting, services, e-commerce)
• How to calculate the real total setup cost
• How to reduce your setup cost by 30–60%

This guide is fully updated for 2026, based on real industry data — not generic numbers.

And throughout the article, you’ll discover the most powerful tool for Dubai entrepreneurs, the bestselling:

📘 Dubai Business Setup Guide (261 Pages – Updated for 2026)
👉 https://dubaiuae.gumroad.com/l/DubaiBusinessSetupGuide

It reveals the exact step-by-step method to set up your Dubai business affordably, correctly, and without making costly mistakes.

Let’s begin.

⭐ Why Business Setup Prices in Dubai Vary So Much

If you’ve been confused by conflicting numbers, you’re not alone.

Dubai business setup prices vary because they depend on:

1. Jurisdiction – Mainland or Free Zone
2. Business Activity – What exactly you’ll do
3. License Type – Professional, commercial, industrial
4. Office Requirements – Flexi desk or Ejari office
5. Number of Visas – 0, 1, or multiple
6. Approvals Required – Some activities require external government approval
7. Free Zone Choice – Some are cheaper; some are more banking-friendly
8. Renewal Fees – Many beginners ignore this

This article breaks EVERYTHING down clearly.

⭐ PART 1 — Free Zone Business Setup Price Guide 2026

Free zones are the most popular choice for:

• New entrepreneurs
• Expats
• Freelancers
• E-commerce business owners
• Consultants
• Online service providers

They’re fast, affordable, and require no office space.

Here’s the real 2026 cost breakdown.

✔️ FREE ZONE GOVERNMENT FEES (2026)

1. Free Zone License Fee

AED 5,750 – AED 15,000

This is the core cost of business setup.

Typical price ranges:

• Zero-visa package: AED 5,750 – AED 8,500
• 1-visa package: AED 9,500 – AED 12,500
• 2–3 visa package: AED 12,500 – AED 18,000

2. Establishment Card

AED 500 – AED 2,000

Mandatory for immigration activity.

3. Flexi Desk / Shared Office Fee

AED 1,500 – AED 7,000

Some free zones include this; others charge separately.

4. Immigration / E-Channel Registration Fee

AED 600 – AED 1,000
(Required for issuing visas)

5. Investor Visa Fees

AED 3,500 – AED 5,000

Includes:

• Entry permit
• Medical test
• Biometrics
• Emirates ID
• Visa stamping

6. Dependent Visa Fees (Optional)

AED 2,500 – AED 3,500

For sponsoring spouse/children.

7. Medical Insurance

AED 800 – AED 2,000

Mandatory for visa holders.

⭐ Total Free Zone Business Setup Cost (2026):

✔️ Zero Visa Package:

AED 5,750 – AED 9,500

✔️ One Visa Package:

AED 9,500 – AED 15,000

✔️ Two to Three Visa Package:

AED 12,500 – AED 20,000

These are realistic numbers — not inflated, not artificially discounted.

⭐ PART 2 — Mainland Business Setup Price Guide 2026

Mainland (DED) is the right option for:

• Restaurants
• Salons
• Retail stores
• Real estate brokerage
• Business requiring office space
• Marketing agencies
• Consulting firms
• Companies selling inside the UAE

Here’s what mainland business setup costs look like in 2026.

✔️ MAINLAND GOVERNMENT FEES (2026)

1. Trade Name Reservation

AED 620 – AED 1,000

2. Initial Approval Fee

AED 120 – AED 500

3. License Issuance Fee (DED)

AED 10,000 – AED 18,000

Depends on:

• Activity
• License type
• Number of activities

4. Ejari Office Rent (If Required)

AED 5,000 – AED 20,000 per year

BUT…

👉 Instant License (No office required for first year)
Total cost: AED 10,000 – AED 12,500

This makes mainland extremely affordable.

5. Establishment Card

AED 750 – AED 1,500

6. Immigration File Opening

AED 350 – AED 900

7. Investor Visa

AED 3,500 – AED 5,000

8. Dependent Visa

AED 2,500 – AED 3,500

⭐ Total Mainland Business Setup Cost (2026):

✔️ Instant License (No Office Year 1):

AED 10,000 – AED 13,000

✔️ With Office:

AED 15,000 – AED 25,000

✔️ With Multiple Visas:

AED 20,000 – AED 35,000

⭐ PART 3 — Government Fees Most Entrepreneurs NEVER Hear About

Let’s expose the hidden costs:

1. Administrative Fees

AED 200 – AED 1,000
(UAE pass activation, admin charges, system fees)

2. Knowledge & Innovation Fees

AED 10 – AED 20 per transaction

3. Extra Business Activities

Each additional activity:
AED 150 – AED 500

4. External Approvals

AED 500 – AED 7,500
Only for regulated industries:

• Real estate
• Media
• Education
• Healthcare
• Food business

5. Office Upgrade Requirements

More visas = bigger office required.

Costs can increase by AED 5,000 – AED 20,000.

6. Bank Account Minimum Balance

Varies by bank:

• Zero-balance accounts exist
• Some require AED 10,000 – AED 50,000
• Some corporate accounts need AED 100,000+

The Dubai Business Setup Guide includes a full banking strategy to avoid rejections and unnecessary costs.

👉 Download here: https://dubaiuae.gumroad.com/l/DubaiBusinessSetupGuide

⭐ PART 4 — Visa Cost Breakdown (2026)

Dubai visas are straightforward but include mandatory medical and biometric steps.

✔️ Investor Visa:

AED 3,500 – AED 5,000

✔️ Employee Visa:

AED 4,000 – AED 7,500

✔️ Family Visa (Dependent):

AED 2,500 – AED 3,500

✔️ Medical Insurance:

AED 800 – AED 2,000

⭐ PART 5 — Annual Renewal Fees (2026)

Most entrepreneurs don’t realize that renewal costs matter more than first-year setup cost.

Here’s the REAL picture:

✔️ Free Zone Renewal:

AED 6,000 – AED 15,000

✔️ Mainland Renewal:

AED 10,000 – AED 18,000

✔️ Visa Renewal:

AED 2,500 – AED 4,000

Inside the eBook:

🎁 You’ll find a Full Renewal Fee Matrix for all major free zones.

⭐ PART 6 — Total Cost Comparison (2026)

Here’s a simple summary:

Setup TypeTotal Cost 2026Free Zone Zero VisaAED 5,750 – AED 9,500Free Zone + 1 VisaAED 9,500 – AED 15,000Mainland Instant LicenseAED 10,000 – AED 13,000Mainland + OfficeAED 15,000 – AED 25,000Full Business + Multiple VisasAED 20,000 – AED 35,000

These numbers are accurate, realistic, and based on actual government fee structures.

⭐ PART 7 — How to Reduce Dubai Business Setup Cost (2026)

Smart entrepreneurs use strategies like:

✔️ Choose a Zero-Visa Package First

Add visas later only if needed.

✔️ Use Instant License for Mainland

Skip Ejari in year 1.

✔️ Pick the Right Free Zone

Some are cheaper but cause banking problems.
Some are more expensive but save time and hassle.

✔️ Avoid Unnecessary Activities

Each one increases government fees.

✔️ Beware of “Agent Add-Ons”

Banking assistance?
PRO services you don’t need?
Expensive office packages?

97% of these are optional.

Inside the eBook, you’ll learn:

🎁 How to build a business setup plan that saves you AED 10,000 – AED 35,000 in your first year.

⭐📘 Dubai Business Setup Guide (261 Pages – 2026 Edition)

Your Complete Roadmap to Setting Up a Business in Dubai With Confidence

Everything you read so far?
That’s just a preview.

Inside the guide, you’ll get:

✔️ Step-by-step business setup instructions
✔️ All government fees explained
✔️ Mainland vs Free Zone pricing
✔️ Visa cost breakdown
✔️ Banking strategies
✔️ Licensing rules
✔️ Office requirements
✔️ Compliance steps
✔️ Mistake-avoidance checklists
✔️ Real examples and templates
✔️ Free zone & mainland comparisons
✔️ Renewal cost planning
✔️ Taxation overview
✔️ UAE business structures explained

Plus 7 exclusive bonuses, including:

🎁 Dubai Business Setup Checklist
🎁 Mainland vs Free Zone Decision Guide
🎁 Licensing Cost Breakdown
🎁 Business Activity Cheatsheet
🎁 Marketing Mastery Guide
🎁 Growth Strategies
🎁 70+ Profitable Business Ideas for 2026

⭐ FREE COMMUNITY ACCESS

When you download the guide, you also receive:

🌟 Free lifetime access to the Dubai Startups & Entrepreneurs Community

Inside this private Gumroad chat, you can:

• Ask questions
• Get clarifications
• Receive updates
• Share progress
• Connect with other founders
• Access new tools

No noise.
No spam.
Only clear, precise business setup support.

⭐ Ready to Understand Dubai Business Setup Prices With ZERO Guesswork?

Download the Dubai Business Setup Guide (2026 Edition)

👇 Instant PDF
👇 261 pages
👇 Updated for 2026
👇 Includes 7 bonuses
👇 Free community
👇 Only $37

👉 Download Now:
https://dubaiuae.gumroad.com/l/DubaiBusinessSetupGuide

⭐ Final Thoughts: Transparency = Power

Dubai is NOT expensive.
Confusion is expensive.
Mistakes are expensive.
Hidden fees are expensive.
Bad guidance is expensive.

With the right knowledge, you can set up your Dubai business:

• Quickly
• Affordably
• Legally
• Strategically
• Without stress

This article gave you clarity.
The Dubai Business Setup Guide gives you the ENTIRE system.

👉 Start your Dubai business journey now:
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Disclaimer: Regulations, procedures, and tax rules can change. This book provides general information and frameworks; always verify current requirements and seek professional advice for your specific situation.