What a Dubai business license actually costs in 2026
Search "Dubai license cost" and you'll find prices "from AED 5,750" next to quotes of AED 30,000+ for what sounds like the same thing. Both numbers are technically real. Neither is what you will pay. This guide explains the actual cost structure, the way we itemize it for clients, so you can read any quote and see what's missing.
The four cost layers every setup has
| Layer | What it covers | Typical range (2026)* |
|---|---|---|
| 1. License & registration | Trade license, registration, incorporation documents | AED 6,000–15,000 (free zone) / AED 10,000–20,000+ (mainland) |
| 2. Visa costs (per person) | Establishment card, entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, stamping | ≈ AED 4,000–7,000 per visa |
| 3. Deposits & extras | Office/flexi-desk, activity approvals, name reservation, attestations where needed | AED 0–10,000+ (varies widely) |
| 4. Service fees | What your consultant charges for advice, processing, and follow-through | Honest firms itemize this separately |
*Ranges reflect typical mid-2026 pricing across common Dubai free zones and DED mainland licenses for standard activities. Regulated activities (finance, health, education, food) carry additional approvals and costs. We confirm exact current figures for your specific case, itemized line by line, before you commit to anything.
Why "from AED 5,750" is never your price
Teaser prices usually describe a license with zero visas, in a promotional first year, for a narrow activity list, sometimes outside Dubai (northern emirates zones are cheaper), and excluding every item in layers 2–4. Nothing illegal about it, but if you need to live in the UAE, that price is irrelevant to you, because a residence visa requires an establishment card and visa processing that teaser quotes exclude.
Realistic all-in scenarios
- Solo consultant, no visa (billing overseas clients from abroad): a simple free zone license, often AED 12,000–15,000 all-in, first year.
- Founder relocating to Dubai, 1 visa: license + establishment card + visa + medical + Emirates ID, typically AED 18,000–25,000 all-in with honest service fees included.
- Small team, 2–3 visas, mainland: license, office lease requirement, visas, commonly AED 35,000–60,000+ depending on office and activity.
The line items that surface later (when quotes aren't itemized)
- Renewal pricing. Year one is promotional; year two is not. Ask for the renewal figure in writing.
- Establishment card fees, required before any visa, routinely missing from teaser quotes.
- Medical + Emirates ID processing, a few hundred dirhams each, but they add up per person.
- Bank account "assistance" fees charged as a surprise extra after signing.
- Document attestation for some nationalities and corporate shareholders.
- Activity add-ons, the quoted license covers 1–3 activities; yours may need more.
An honest quote isn't the cheapest one. It's the one where the final invoice matches the first number you were shown.
How to pressure-test any quote (60 seconds)
- Ask: "Is this itemized, government fees separate from your service fees?" Refusal is your answer.
- Ask: "What will my renewal cost in year two?"
- Ask: "What is NOT included that I will need?", then watch how specific the answer is.
- Ask: "Do you receive a commission from this free zone?" An honest firm answers instantly.