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UAE company formation
Mainland or Freezone, in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman or Ras Al Khaimah. We recommend the jurisdiction that fits your business, then handle the licence, visas, bank account and tax.
- Freezone licences from AED 4,888
- Issued in 1 to 3 working days (Freezone) or 3 to 5 (Mainland)
- Bank account and corporate tax registration included free
Find your jurisdiction
What matters most to you?
The best-value licence we offer, with an instalment plan if you want to spread the cost.
- From
- AED 4,888 (no visa)
- Issued in
- 1–3 working days
- Activities
- Up to 10 on one licence
Starting prices. Freezone figures are no-visa packages; Mainland figures exclude visas and office lease.
How company formation works in the UAE.
To set up a company in the UAE you choose a jurisdiction, either the Mainland of an emirate or one of its Freezones, then apply for a trade licence covering your business activities.
Mainland companies can sell to the public anywhere in the UAE. Freezone companies suit business-to-business, online and international work and are quicker and cheaper to set up. My Eloah Business Hub recommends the jurisdiction, checks your activities and handles the licence.
- Mainland
- Dubai, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi
- Freezones
- Ajman (ANCFZ), Sharjah (SPCFZ), Dubai (IFZA)
- Timeline
- 1–3 working days Freezone, 3–5 working days Mainland
- From
- AED 4,888
Six ways to set up, side by side.
Starting prices for each jurisdiction we set up most often.
| Jurisdiction | Type | Starts from | Licence issued in | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajman Freezone (ANCFZ) | Freezone | AED 4,888 | 1–3 working days | Lowest cost; instalments available |
| Sharjah Freezone (SPCFZ) | Freezone | AED 6,885 | 1–3 working days | Co-working space included |
| Dubai Freezone (IFZA) | Freezone | AED 12,900 | 1–3 working days | A Dubai address |
| Ajman Mainland | Mainland | AED 7,270 | 3–5 working days | Most affordable Mainland licence |
| RAK Mainland | Mainland | About AED 10,680 | 3–5 working days | Northern Emirates trading and manufacturing |
| Dubai Mainland | Mainland | About AED 14,703 | 3–5 working days | Selling to the Dubai public; government tenders |
Freezone prices are no-visa packages. Mainland prices are starting estimates for the lowest licence band and exclude visas and office lease. Figures checked September 2026.
Three questions decide it.
This is the order we work through with every client.
Does the activity need premises?
Clinics, restaurants, shops, contracting and nurseries need a Mainland licence.
Who are you selling to?
Selling to the UAE public points to Mainland. Selling to other businesses or overseas points to a Freezone.
What matters after that?
Ajman Freezone for value, Sharjah for co-working space, Dubai Freezone for a Dubai address.
AED 2,100 of extras, on us.
Four things every new company needs straight after the licence.
Business bank account opening
Corporate tax registration
500 business cards
Company stamp
Six steps, one point of contact.
You tell us the plan. We carry it through every authority.
Start on WhatsApp →Tell us what you plan to do
Your activity, customers, visa needs and whether you need premises.
We recommend a jurisdiction
Mainland or Freezone, and which one, with the reasons.
We check your activities
Against the jurisdiction's official list, flagging any that need outside approval.
Itemised quote
Every government fee and our fee, in writing, before you pay.
Licence issued
1 to 3 working days for a Freezone, 3 to 5 for Mainland.
Visas, bank account and tax
Residence visas if you need them, then the bank account and corporate tax registration.
UAE company formation, answered.
Ask anything else on WhatsApp and we will answer for your company.
How much does it cost to set up a company in the UAE?
It depends on the jurisdiction. Freezone packages start at AED 4,888 (Ajman Freezone, no visa), AED 6,885 (Sharjah Freezone) and AED 12,900 (Dubai Freezone). Mainland licences start at AED 7,270 in Ajman, about AED 10,680 in Ras Al Khaimah and about AED 14,703 in Dubai, before visas and office lease.
Should I choose Mainland or a Freezone?
Choose Mainland if you sell directly to the UAE public, need premises such as a shop, clinic or restaurant, or want government tenders. Choose a Freezone if you work business-to-business, online or internationally.
How long does company formation take?
Freezone licences are usually issued in 1 to 3 working days and Mainland licences in 3 to 5 working days, once documents are complete.
Do I need an office?
Freezone packages include a desk, co-working space or lease. Mainland companies need a tenancy contract, which you arrange and which is not part of our quote.
Are visas included?
In the Ajman and Sharjah Freezone packages the price already covers the number of visas you choose. For Dubai Freezone and all Mainland licences, visas are priced per person and shown separately.
Do some activities need extra approval?
Yes. Regulated activities such as healthcare, education, food, real estate brokerage and financial services need approval from their authority. We check your activity against the official list before you apply.
What is included free with my setup?
Business bank account opening support, corporate tax registration, 500 business cards and a company stamp, together worth AED 2,100.
Tell us your plan. We map the route.
Send your business activity and we reply with the best jurisdiction, the itemised cost and the steps.