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If you want to create a company in Dubai for the first time, the order of decisions matters more than the zone name. Settle who owns it, what it does, how many visas you need and how much capital you can tie up. Then the zone almost picks itself. A real first-year floor: Meydan Free Zone's AED 12,500 licence, AED 2,000 establishment card, AED 4,000 investor visa and AED 2,250 medical and Emirates ID, or AED 20,750.
For zone timings and the sector map, read business setup in Dubai.
Starting a business in Dubai as a foreigner
You do not need an Emirati partner in a free zone. You also do not need one for most mainland activities, which have allowed 100% foreign ownership since early . You do not need to live here to own it; residence comes later, through a visa your company sponsors.
You will need:
- A passport valid for six months or more, and a photo
- A home address and, if you already live in the UAE, your visa and Emirates ID
- A no objection letter from your sponsor if you hold a UAE employment visa, where the zone asks for one (Ajman Free Zone does; Shams says it does not)
- A plain description of the activity, which sets the licence type and price
Pick the vehicle before the zone
| Your plan | Usual vehicle | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Working alone | Freelance permit or a one shareholder company | A permit costs less; a company can hire and trade under a brand |
| Two or more founders | FZ-LLC or FZCO with several shareholders | Shares, roles and exits go in the articles |
| Selling to Dubai shops and the public | Mainland company | Free zone firms need a distributor or a DET permit to sell locally |
| Fintech, funds, regulated finance | DIFC entity | Financial regulation sits there |
A free zone firm approved by its zone can also take a Dubai mainland permit at AED 5,000 for up to 6 months. If you are unsure, our free zone vs mainland page sets out the trade.
Share capital: what the zones actually ask
Search for "minimum investment to start business in Dubai" and you get guesses. The real answer is set zone by zone. Some figures must be paid in, some only declared.
| Zone | Share capital rule |
|---|---|
| Meydan Free Zone | No paid-up capital required |
| Dubai CommerCity | AED 1,000 minimum |
| Jafza | No minimum for an FZE or FZCO |
| TECOM zones under DDA (Internet City, Media City, Knowledge Park, Science Park) | AED 10,000 default for an FZ-LLC |
| Dubai Healthcare City | AED 10,000 for most activities |
| DMCC | AED 50,000 (an investor visa needs 50 shares totalling AED 50,000) |
| Dubai Outsource City | AED 300,000 |
| DIFC (non-financial private company) | Issued share capital above zero |
Source: each zone's FAQ, rules or licence categories decision, checked .
Sharjah shows the same spread: SPC advertises zero paid share capital, Shams sets a default of AED 100,000 with no proof needed at or below it, and SAIF Zone asks AED 150,000 for an FZE or FZC. With little cash to park, these rules can matter more than the licence fee.
Visas: count yourself first
Your own residence visa is usually the second biggest line; the company sponsors you as investor. Each hire needs a visa slot, which most zones tie to the space you rent. In Dubai Internet City, for example, the quota is 1 visa per 60 sq ft of leased space.
Plan a year ahead. If you will hire two people in month eight, pick an office that allows three visas now. Our investor visa page lists the fees zone by zone.
Dubai startup hubs and programmes
A startup programme can cut year-one costs sharply, but you must be admitted.
- in5. Four centres in TECOM zones: in5 Tech at Dubai Internet City, in5 Design at Dubai Design District, in5 Media at Dubai Production City and in5 Science at Dubai Science Park. The DDA fee rules give admitted startups no application or initial registration fee, a licence at AED 1,000 a year for 3 years, and visas at AED 1,500 each with no deposit. An evaluation committee selects early stage companies.
- Dubai SME route at DDA. For approved UAE national founders: no annual licence fee for 5 years.
- DIFC Innovation licence. USD 1,500 a year for tech firms, discounted for the first 2 years, with desks from USD 250 a month and up to 4 visas on the first desk.
- Dubai Silicon Oasis. Its investor guide describes an AED 500 million startup investment programme. DSO itself publishes no fees. Three setup agents put its licence at AED 12,000 to AED 15,000 a year before the desk or office, so ask for a written quote.
- Hub71 in Abu Dhabi. Not a free zone but a programme run from ADGM. Startups it accepts get the ADGM Tech Start-up licence at USD 1,500 a year for 3 years, and Hub71 lists subsidised housing, office space and medical insurance among its incentives.
Tech founders can compare them on best free zone for tech.
A first-year budget you can trust
Use official lines, not a headline price:
- Licence package (AED 12,500 at Meydan or Expo City for a no visa start).
- Establishment card (AED 2,000 at Meydan).
- Your visa (AED 4,000 investor visa at Meydan) plus medical and Emirates ID (AED 2,250).
- Health insurance, which packages leave out.
- Extra activities or shareholders (Meydan charges AED 1,000 per extra activity and AED 2,000 per extra shareholder).
- Corporate tax registration within 3 months of incorporation. It is free, and late registration costs AED 10,000.
For the lowest published Dubai prices, see the cheapest free zone in Dubai.
New company setup in Dubai: the order of work
Check the activity list, choose the vehicle and shareholders, reserve a name, sign and pay for the licence. Then come the establishment card, your visa, the bank account and corporate tax registration. The setup steps guide times each stage.
Mistakes first-time founders make
- Choosing on headline price, then paying for a bigger office to get visas.
- Ignoring the capital rule until the bank asks for proof.
- Assuming a free zone licence lets you sell to Dubai shops without a permit.
Talk to the zones through one form
Tell us your idea, your budget and how many visas you need, using the form on this page. UAEFreeZoneDirectory.com is an independent directory, not a free zone or a government office, and partners pay us for referrals. We send your details to the Dubai zones that license your activity or to a licensed setup partner, who replies with costs.
Sources
- Meydan Free Zone: package, card, visa, medical and capital
- DDA licence categories decision (PDF): TECOM capital default, in5 and Dubai SME fees
- in5 centres: the four centres
- Dubai Internet City FAQ: capital and visa quota
- DMCC visa types: investor share rule
- Jafza company formation: no minimum capital
- Dubai CommerCity FAQ, Dubai Outsource City FAQ and DHCC Rule No. 1: capital
- SAIF Zone FAQ and Shams terms: Sharjah capital rules
- ADGM tech start-up and Hub71: Hub71 route
- DSO investor guide: startup programme
- u.ae full foreign ownership: mainland ownership
- ICP golden residency: entrepreneur route
- FTA corporate tax registration: deadline and penalty
