Pricing

Compare freelance, free zone, mainland, and offshore routes by how you plan to work, trade, and live in the UAE.

Setup options

Pick the outcome you need. Zenesis will confirm the licence, authority, and full cost before filing.

Work or run a business in the UAE

Start with what you need the licence to do.

Work independently

Freelance Permit

Starting fromAED 4,000
  • Remote application available
  • UAE residence visa option where eligible
  • Profession and activity eligibility reviewed
View service

Start a company without a visa

Free Zone Company Setup

Starting fromAED 7,000
  • UAE free zone company
  • No initial visa
  • Activity and free zone fit reviewed
View service

Start a company and get UAE residency

Free Zone Company Setup + Visa

Starting fromAED 15,000
  • UAE free zone company
  • UAE residence visa route
  • Medical and Emirates ID steps considered
View service

Trade directly across the UAE

Mainland Company Setup

Starting fromAED 10,000
  • UAE mainland licence
  • Direct UAE operating access
  • Activity, premises, and visa needs reviewed
View service

Hold assets or ownership interests

Choose the registry based on where the structure will be used.

Use a UAE offshore registry

UAE Offshore Company Setup

Price rangeAED 7,500-15,000
  • Ajman, RAK, or Jebel Ali
  • UAE registry
  • No normal local trading or residence visas
View service

Use an international registry

International Offshore Company Setup

Price rangeAED 8,000-15,000
  • BVI, Nevis, Mauritius, Seychelles, or Hong Kong
  • Non-UAE registry
  • Jurisdiction, banking, and use reviewed
View service

Starting prices are indicative. Your confirmed quote will reflect the jurisdiction, business activity, visa requirements, government fees, office package, approvals, and the exact sequence needed for your setup.

Pricing factors

Your final quote depends on the jurisdiction, activity, visas, premises, banking preparation, and work required after setup.

01

Jurisdiction

Mainland, free zone, and offshore routes have different authority fees, license rules, office requirements, and renewal costs.

02

Business activity

Regulated, professional, trading, consultancy, e-commerce, and industrial activities can need different approvals or documentation.

03

Visa requirement

A no-visa setup is usually leaner. Founder, employee, and family visa planning changes cost, timing, and document requirements.

04

Office package

Virtual office, flexi-desk, dedicated office, warehouse, and mainland Ejari requirements can change the real first-year budget.

05

Banking readiness

Bank account applications require company and shareholder KYC, a business profile, source-of-funds evidence, and information about the licensed activity and expected transactions.

06

Post-setup compliance

Corporate tax, VAT, bookkeeping, renewals, amendments, and records should be planned before they become urgent follow-up work.

Why two Dubai company setup quotes can look different

Quotes vary because business activity, approvals, visa needs, office requirements, and post-setup compliance differ by founder. A low starting price can be useful for comparison, but the suitable structure is the one that still works once licensing, banking, and post-setup obligations begin.

Business setup cost FAQ

Answers about setup routes, starting prices, visas, and applying from outside the UAE.

01How much does business setup in Dubai cost with Zenesis?+

Zenesis business setup consultancy prices start from AED 4,000 for freelance permits, AED 7,000 for free zone company setup without visa, AED 15,000 for free zone company setup with visa, AED 10,000 for mainland company setup, AED 7,500 to AED 15,000 for UAE offshore company setup, and AED 8,000 to AED 15,000 for international offshore company setup. Final pricing depends on jurisdiction, business activity, visa requirements, government fees, office package, and approvals.

02How much does free zone company setup cost with Zenesis?+

Zenesis free zone company setup starts from AED 7,000 without a visa and AED 15,000 when the founder needs both a registered company and a UAE residence visa. The final cost depends on the selected free zone, activity, visa requirement, office package, government fees, and approvals.

03How much does mainland company setup cost with Zenesis?+

Zenesis mainland company setup starts from AED 10,000. Mainland is often considered when the business will operate directly across the UAE, needs local premises, plans to pursue local contracts, or carries out an activity that requires mainland licensing. The final cost depends on the activity, licence requirements, government fees, approvals, office needs, and visa planning.

04How much does a freelance permit cost with Zenesis?+

Zenesis freelance permit support starts from AED 4,000. Eligible applicants can apply remotely from outside the UAE for a freelance permit and, where the selected route allows it, a linked UAE residence visa. The final cost depends on the profession, activity, authority requirements, visa choice, and approvals.

05Can I apply for a UAE freelance permit from outside the country?+

Yes. Eligible applicants can apply remotely from outside the UAE for a freelance permit and, where the selected route allows it, a linked UAE residence visa. Eligibility depends on the profession, approved activity, documents, authority rules, and visa requirements.

06How much does offshore company setup cost with Zenesis?+

Zenesis UAE offshore company setup for Ajman, RAK, and Jebel Ali routes starts from AED 7,500 to AED 15,000 and suits founders who want a UAE registry for an eligible holding, ownership, or international use. International offshore setup for BVI, Nevis, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Hong Kong starts from AED 8,000 to AED 15,000 and uses a non-UAE registry for suitable cross-border ownership, assets, or business. The confirmed quote depends on the jurisdiction, intended use, registered agent, documentation, compliance, and renewal requirements.

07Why can the final business setup cost change?+

Starting prices are indicative. Your confirmed quote will reflect the jurisdiction, business activity, visa requirements, government fees, office package, approvals, and the exact sequence needed for your setup.

08What is the cheapest way to set up a business in Dubai or the UAE?+

It depends on whether you need a registered company or a permit to work independently. The cheapest option overall is the Freelance Permit, starting from AED 4,000. Eligible applicants can apply remotely from outside the UAE and may add a linked residence visa where the selected route allows it. A freelance permit is not a registered company. If you need a company, Zenesis Free Zone Company Setup without a visa starts from AED 7,000. The final cost depends on the selected free zone, activity, office or flexi-desk package, government fees, approvals, and any additional visa or banking support required.

09Is mainland or free zone setup cheaper in Dubai?+

A free zone setup can be cheaper for founders who do not need direct mainland operating access, especially when no initial visa is required. Mainland setup can cost more when office, approvals, and visa planning are included, but it may be the better route for local UAE market access.

Join our newsletter

By subscribing, you agree to receive email updates from Zenesis. Unsubscribe at any time.