Dubai is the world’s most investor-friendly city, attracting over 45,000 new businesses annually. The system is fast, strategic, and now features 100% foreign ownership. Success depends entirely on choosing the right structure.
This guide simplifies the essentials for launching your business in 2025.
Why Launch Now? Key Facts
Dubai’s economy is powered by non-oil sectors and strategic reforms:
- 100% Foreign Ownership: Foreign investors can now fully own companies in most sectors, eliminating legacy local sponsor requirements.
- Tax Incentives: 0% personal income tax and a 9% corporate tax rate applied only to profits exceeding AED 375,000.
- Speed: Setup times can be as low as 15 minutes via digital portals for simple activities.
- Investor Visas: Access to Investor (3-year) or Golden Visas (10-year) pathways for long-term stability.
Step 1: Mainland vs. Free Zone (The Core Decision)
The jurisdiction choice is the most important decision and dictates your market access, visa quotas, and tax benefits.
Factor | Dubai Mainland (DET) | Dubai Free Zones (e.g., DMCC, JAFZA) |
|---|---|---|
Market Access | Unrestricted UAE-wide trading, best for local sales & services. | Restricted to the zone/international; local sales require a distributor. |
Corporate Tax | 9% on profits over AED 375K. | Often 0% corporate tax (in perpetuity for some zones). |
Visas | Quota is tied to your physical office size. | Fixed quota included in the license package (e.g., 3-10 visas). |
Best For | Retail, Construction, Government Contracts. | Tech, Trading, Logistics, Manufacturing. |
Step 2: The 5-Step Setup Roadmap:
Once your jurisdiction is selected, the process follows a streamlined path:
- Define Activity & Structure: Select your exact business activity (from 2,000+ options) and choose your structure (LLC is most common).
- Reserve Trade Name: Ensure your chosen name is available and compliant with UAE rules.
- Secure Initial Approval & Documents: Submit your business plan and documents (like passport copies) to the authority (DET or Free Zone).
- Lease Office Space: Mainland requires an Ejari-registered physical office. Free Zones often allow virtual/flexi-desk solutions.
- Pay Fees & Get Trade License: Final submission and payment yield your Trade License (valid for 1 year, renewable).
Step 3: Post-License Essentials:
After receiving your trade license, these steps finalize your launch:
- Corporate Bank Account: Open an account using your new license, MoA, and shareholder documents. Processing typically takes 3-7 days.
- Visa Application: Apply for Investor, Green, or Golden Visas for shareholders and staff.
- Compliance: Register for VAT if your turnover exceeds AED 375,000. File annual audits.
Cost Snapshot (Estimated Initial Spend):
The total initial cost (excluding visa fees) typically ranges from AED 15,000 to AED 50,000, depending heavily on your chosen jurisdiction and office requirements.
Launch with Confidence:
Dubai’s legal reforms and streamlined digital portals make 2025 the ideal time to launch. At Logical Eye, we specialize in guiding you through this process, ensuring you select the optimal structure to minimize overhead and maximize market access.
Ready to launch? Book your strategic consultation today.
