Company formation in Dubai means choosing a legal structure and a jurisdiction, getting a trade licence for your business activity, and completing the registrations that let the company trade, hire people and open a bank account. Credo Novus prepares and submits each step for you and keeps you informed until the company is ready to operate.
What are the steps to set up a company in Dubai?
Most new companies follow the same sequence, whether they set up on the mainland or in a free zone. The documents and the order change with the jurisdiction, but the stages are these:
- Choose the business activity. Your activity decides the licence type (commercial, professional or industrial) and whether any external approvals are needed.
- Choose the jurisdiction. Mainland or one of Dubai's free zones, based on where your customers are and how you will trade.
- Reserve the trade name and get initial approval. The name must follow the authority's naming rules.
- Arrange an office. A registered lease, a flexible desk or a free zone office package, depending on the licence and the number of visas you need.
- Issue the trade licence. Once documents are signed and fees are paid, the licence is issued.
- Register for visas. An establishment card lets the company sponsor residence visas for owners and staff, followed by medicals and Emirates ID.
- Open a corporate bank account. Banks review the company, its owners and its expected activity before opening an account.
See how this works in practice on our setup path, or read about the visa and government steps on our PRO and document clearing page.
Mainland or free zone: what is the difference?
A mainland company is licensed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and can trade directly across the UAE market. A free zone company is licensed by its free zone authority and suits businesses that trade internationally or within the zone. The right choice depends on your customers, your activity and your budget.
| Question | Mainland company | Free zone company |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing authority | Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) | The free zone's own authority |
| Who you can sell to | Customers anywhere in the UAE, including the local market | Customers inside the zone and abroad; selling into the UAE mainland usually needs a local distributor or an additional permit |
| Ownership | 100% foreign ownership is allowed for most activities | 100% foreign ownership |
| Office | A registered office lease in Dubai | An office or flexible desk inside the free zone |
| Visas | Linked to the office space and company setup | Linked to the package and office space you choose |
Not sure yet? That is normal at the start. In the first consultation we compare both options for your activity and explain the trade-offs in plain terms.
What documents do you need to start?
For an individual shareholder, the starting point is usually a passport copy, a passport-size photo, a few proposed trade names and a short description of the business. If a shareholder is another company, its corporate documents generally need to be attested before they can be used in the UAE. We send you a checklist for your specific activity and jurisdiction after the first call, so you only collect what is actually required.
How long does company setup take?
Timing depends on the activity, the jurisdiction, any external approvals and how quickly documents are signed. Simple activities in a free zone tend to move faster than licences that need approval from another authority. Your setup plan lists every step with its expected timing before you commit to anything, and we update you as each one completes.
How much does it cost to set up a company in Dubai?
The cost depends on the jurisdiction, the licence type, the office solution and the number of visas. We give you an itemised quote with your setup plan, showing government fees and our fees separately, so there are no surprises later.
What happens after the company is set up?
A licence has to be renewed, visas expire, and changes such as new shareholders or activities need amendments. Our corporate services continue after setup:
- Corporate structuring and entity setup aligned with your operational and tax strategy
- Ongoing compliance, governance and regulatory support to reduce risk
- Licence renewals and amendments, prepared before deadlines
- Strategic advisory to help you scale operations and enter new markets
Many clients also hand us their HR and bookkeeping, so one team knows the whole company.
Why set up with Credo Novus?
You deal with one dedicated consultant from the first call, every document is checked against the authority's requirements before it is submitted, and you always know where your file stands. Start your setup plan or read the frequently asked questions.
Official sources: UAE government business portal, Visas and Emirates ID. Rules change; we confirm current requirements for your case.
