Dubai Setup
For founders who need a Dubai address, Dubai-based facilities or proximity to clients and banks in the emirate.
Independent UAE Corporate Advisory
Compare UAE Company Setup Options & Costs
Tell us about your business and compare suitable UAE setup options, expected costs and next steps.
About 60 seconds · No obligation · Clear cost breakdown
RAS Corporate Advisors LLC is an independent private corporate advisory firm and is not a UAE government department or free-zone authority. Government approvals are issued by the relevant authorities. Full disclaimer
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Thank you — your enquiry has been received.
A RAS advisor will review what you've described and come back to you with suitable UAE setup options and an indicative cost breakdown. If anything is unclear, we will ask before recommending a structure.
Reference for this enquiry:
Message an advisor on WhatsAppCompare your UAE setup options
Step 1 of 2Takes about 60 seconds. No obligation.
Not every UAE company needs the same setup.
Choosing a jurisdiction too early can lead to unnecessary costs, unsuitable activities or additional compliance later. The right structure depends on several factors.
- —Business activity
- —Shareholders
- —Residency requirements
- —Customer and geographic market
- —Banking requirements
- —Office requirements
- —Future growth plans
Cost-Conscious Setup
For early-stage founders prioritising a lean first-year and renewal cost over a prestige address.
Trading & E-commerce
For goods trading, import and export or online retail, where activity lists, customs and logistics shape the choice.
Professional & Consultancy
For service businesses and consultants, where qualifications, client location and contracting route matter most.
These are advisory categories used to frame a conversation, not fixed packages or promises.
Setting up from outside the UAE?
You don't need to understand the UAE system before speaking to us. We'll explain what can be handled remotely, when your presence may be required and what to expect before you proceed.
Start remotely
Many initial setup steps can be coordinated remotely, depending on the jurisdiction, activity and selected structure.
Know when travel may be required
If residency procedures, biometrics, banking or other steps require your presence, we'll explain this before you proceed.
Banking preparation
We help prepare and coordinate corporate banking applications. Account opening remains subject to the independent approval and compliance requirements of the selected bank.
Ongoing obligations
We'll explain relevant renewal, accounting, Corporate Tax and VAT considerations for the proposed structure.
Compare common UAE options
A general overview of jurisdictions founders ask about most often. RAS is independent and is not affiliated with, and does not represent, any UAE authority.
IFZA
Free zone · Dubai
- Typical profile
- Consultancy, services and holding structures wanting a Dubai free zone licence.
- Setup characteristics
- Broad activity lists and flexible packages; facility and visa allocation scale with requirements.
- Residency planning
- Company-sponsored residency availability depends on the jurisdiction, selected package/facility and authority requirements.
- Starting setup cost
- Request current cost
- Indicative renewal cost
- Request current cost
- What is included
- Request current details
- Possible additional costs
- Request current details
Meydan Free Zone
Free zone · Dubai
- Typical profile
- Founders wanting a central Dubai registered address with a service-led licence.
- Setup characteristics
- Package-based licensing with registered address options; requirements vary by activity.
- Residency planning
- Company-sponsored residency availability depends on the jurisdiction, selected package/facility and authority requirements.
- Starting setup cost
- Request current cost
- Indicative renewal cost
- Request current cost
- What is included
- Request current details
- Possible additional costs
- Request current details
SPC Free Zone
Free zone · Sharjah
- Typical profile
- Trading, publishing, media and service businesses looking outside Dubai's cost base.
- Setup characteristics
- Multiple activities are often possible under one licence, subject to authority rules.
- Residency planning
- Company-sponsored residency availability depends on the jurisdiction, selected package/facility and authority requirements.
- Starting setup cost
- Request current cost
- Indicative renewal cost
- Request current cost
- What is included
- Request current details
- Possible additional costs
- Request current details
Ajman Free Zone
Free zone · Ajman
- Typical profile
- Cost-sensitive trading, light industrial and service companies in the northern emirates.
- Setup characteristics
- Packages range from registered desk arrangements to warehousing, depending on activity.
- Residency planning
- Company-sponsored residency availability depends on the jurisdiction, selected package/facility and authority requirements.
- Starting setup cost
- Request current cost
- Indicative renewal cost
- Request current cost
- What is included
- Request current details
- Possible additional costs
- Request current details
Descriptions are general and for comparison only. Requirements, activity lists and charges are set by each authority and change from time to time. Mainland options in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman are also reviewed where they suit the business better.
Know what you're paying for.
A proper UAE setup quotation is not one number. Depending on the jurisdiction you choose and what the company needs to do, it may include several distinct components.
RAS quotations state authority charges and RAS professional fees separately, so you can see exactly what is paid to whom.
Licence
The trade licence itself, priced by the relevant authority according to activity and term.
Registered address / facility
A desk, office or other facility as required by the chosen jurisdiction.
Establishment requirements
Registration, incorporation documents and other items the authority requires to establish the entity.
Residency-related company requirements, where applicable
Company-level items such as the establishment card and residency allocation, charged by the relevant authority, where the proposed company setup requires them.
RAS professional / service fees
Private fees charged by RAS for advisory, preparation and coordination. These are not government fees and are always shown separately.
Potential third-party and authority charges
Charges set by authorities or third parties, such as attestations, translations, notarial or courier costs, where the chosen route requires them.
Expected renewal costs
What the company is expected to pay to keep the licence and facility in place after the first year, so the ongoing cost is clear before you commit.
Optional ongoing services
Accounting, tax compliance, renewals and other continuing support, taken only if you want them.
Company formation is only the beginning.
Once the licence is issued, the obligations start. RAS continues as your corporate services provider so the company stays compliant and in good standing.
Accounting
Bookkeeping and management reporting.
Corporate Tax assistance
Registration and filing support.
VAT assistance
Registration, returns and record keeping.
Renewal tracking
Licence and facility renewal dates monitored ahead of expiry.
Corporate compliance
Ongoing obligations kept under review.
Document management
Corporate records organised and retrievable.
Corporate banking application assistance
Preparation and coordination of the application.
Relationship management
A named point of contact after incorporation.
RAS assists with preparing and coordinating corporate banking applications. Account opening remains entirely subject to the independent approval and compliance requirements of the selected bank.
How RAS works
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1
Tell us about your proposed business.
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2
We assess suitable UAE structures.
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3
Receive a transparent setup recommendation and cost breakdown.
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4
Proceed only after reviewing the written quotation and requirements.
Why founders work with RAS
We are not tied to a single free zone, so the recommendation follows the business rather than a quota.
- 01Dubai-based corporate advisory team
- 02Experience across multiple UAE jurisdictions
- 03Transparent written quotations
- 04Ongoing accounting and compliance support
- 05Relationship manager after incorporation
Questions founders ask
How much does it cost to set up a company in Dubai?+
There is no single figure. The cost depends on the jurisdiction, the licensed activity, the facility or registered address required, the number of shareholders and whether the company needs residence visa allocations. RAS provides a written cost breakdown that separates authority charges from RAS professional fees.
How much does UAE company formation cost?+
Costs differ by emirate and by authority, and each authority sets its own charges. Once you describe the proposed activity and requirements, RAS prepares an indicative breakdown, then a written quotation before any engagement.
Should I choose UAE mainland or a free zone?+
It depends on where your customers are, whether you need to contract directly within the local market, your office and staffing plans, and your banking requirements. RAS reviews these factors and explains the trade-offs of each route rather than defaulting to one.
Which UAE free zone is suitable for my business?+
Suitability depends on the activity list, facility options, visa allocation needs, renewal cost and growth plans. We compare the options relevant to your case and set out why one fits better than another.
Can foreigners own 100% of a UAE company?+
Full foreign ownership is available for free zone companies and for many mainland activities. Because the position depends on the specific activity and the relevant authority, ownership should be confirmed for your activity before you proceed.
Do I need a physical office?+
Facility requirements vary by authority and by the number of visas the company requires. Options range from a registered address or flexi-desk arrangement to a leased office. We set out the facility requirement that applies to the structure you choose.
Can RAS help me compare IFZA, Meydan, SPC and Ajman?+
Yes. We review these and other UAE jurisdictions against your activity, shareholder structure, facility needs and budget, and explain the differences in writing.
Does RAS guarantee licence approval?+
No. Licences, registrations and approvals are issued solely by the relevant UAE authority. RAS prepares and coordinates the application and advises on requirements; the decision belongs to the authority.
Does RAS guarantee corporate bank account opening?+
No. RAS assists with preparing and coordinating corporate banking applications. Account opening remains entirely subject to the independent approval and compliance requirements of the selected bank.
Is RAS a UAE government authority?+
No. RAS Corporate Advisors LLC is an independent private corporate advisory and business services firm. It is not a UAE government department, ministry or free-zone authority.
Find the right UAE setup before you spend.
Tell us what you're planning. We'll help you understand suitable structures, expected costs and the next steps.