How to calculate your business setup budget
Start with the activity you will invoice, where your customers are and whether you need residence visas. Then compare the authorities and facilities that can support that operation. A headline license price can leave out costs that are necessary to start trading.
| Cost category | What changes it | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| License and incorporation | Activity, legal form, authority and number of shareholders | What is included, and are approvals or extra activities charged separately? |
| Workspace | Desk, office, shop, warehouse or industrial premises | What space is required for the license, and what does the renewal cost? |
| Immigration file | Establishment card and other immigration requirements | Is this needed for the package, and which renewals apply? |
| Residence visas | Number and type of applicants, medical, Emirates ID and insurance | Is the package zero-visa, visa-eligible or inclusive of processing costs? |
| Special approvals | Regulated activity, products, premises and operating model | Which approvals must be obtained before trading? |
| Ongoing compliance | Accounting, tax registration, returns and any audit requirements | Which annual obligations apply even if revenue is low? |
| Professional support | Application preparation and the scope of ongoing assistance | Is the service fee separate from government charges? |
Mainland, free zone or offshore: compare the same scope
A mainland company normally needs suitable premises and local licensing approvals. A free zone company may use a desk or office package, with visa capacity tied to that arrangement. An offshore company serves a different purpose and cannot sponsor residence visas, so it is not a like-for-like alternative to an operating business.
Compare the first year and the renewal year
Ask for two columns: what you pay to incorporate and what you pay to keep the same company running. Separate one-off registration work from recurring license, workspace and immigration charges. If a discount applies only in year one, record the normal renewal price.
A checklist for requesting an accurate quote
- Describe the goods or services you will sell and your customer countries.
- State the shareholders, managers and any corporate owners.
- List the visas needed now and likely hires in the next year.
- Specify any office, retail, warehouse or production requirements.
- Ask for government fees, workspace and service fees separately, including any applicable VAT.
- Confirm payment stages, exclusions and refund or cancellation conditions in writing.
Costs to plan for after incorporation
Licensing does not finish the operating budget. Plan for accounting and tax compliance, bank account requirements and visa renewals. Bank acceptance and minimum balance conditions depend on the bank and business profile.
Use our UAE free zone comparison to narrow the options, or read how to compare lower-cost free zone packages. Published promotions should be checked against the authority’s current activity, visa and renewal terms.
