What's the cheapest way to set up in the UAE?
The cheapest way to set up in the UAE depends on whether you need a registered company or a permit to work as an individual. The cheapest Zenesis route overall is the Freelance Permit, starting from AED 4,000. This is a permit to work under approved activities as an individual, not a registered company, and it does not carry a company visa quota the way a licensed company does.
If the business needs a registered company, Zenesis Free Zone Company Setup without a visa starts from AED 7,000. The final cost depends on the selected free zone, business activity, office or flexi-desk package, government fees, approvals, and any additional visa or banking support required.
The starting price is only the entry point. A realistic setup budget should account for visa costs where needed, the applicable office or flexi-desk package, government and approval fees, and banking preparation or support where required. Licence renewal is a separate recurring cost when the initial licence term ends and should be planned from the outset. The lowest-priced route is not automatically the right fit if the business needs employees, specific banking support, or broader trading activity. Compare the full route options above, or learn where cost decisions go wrong before deciding on cost alone.
