Business Setup in Dubai
Trade licence, residence visas and corporate bank account introductions in Dubai — fixed written quote, one adviser, no hidden government fees.
- Licensed UAE corporate service provider
- Fixed written quotes — no hidden fees
- English & French support
Licensed advisory
SHAMS-licensed UAE corporate service provider.
Fixed quotes
Government fees and our fees itemised in writing.
EN / FR / AR
Advisers and documents in your language.
One adviser
The same named contact from first call to delivery.
Business Setup in Dubai with BML
Dubai concentrates the largest share of foreign-owned companies in the country. It offers the widest choice of free zones, the deepest banking market and the strongest logistics and aviation connectivity in the region — which is also why competition and operating costs are highest here.
Choosing where to register is the decision that sets your annual cost, your visa quota and your banking options for years. In Dubai, the licensing route runs through Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) for mainland; each free zone authority for free zone licences. We compare the options against your actual activity and shareholder profile, then quote one all-in figure covering licence, establishment card, visa allocation and our fees.
Most of the companies we register in Dubai operate in trading, consultancy, e-commerce, logistics, fintech, real estate services and professional services. Activity classification matters more than founders expect: it determines which licence you need, which visas you can sponsor, and whether a bank will open your account without a fight. We classify it correctly the first time.
Key facts
- Widest range of free zones and licensed activities in the UAE
- Strongest access to UAE retail and corporate banking
- Best international flight connectivity in the region
- Highest office and residential costs of the seven emirates
- Large francophone, Indian, European and CIS business communities
What Business Setup in Dubai actually involves
Business Setup in Dubai is not a single transaction — it is four decisions taken in the right order: the activity on your licence, the jurisdiction that licences it, the visa quota attached to it, and the bank that will accept the resulting company. Get the first one wrong and the other three become expensive to fix.
That is the part of Business Setup in Dubai most providers skip. They sell you the cheapest licence on their shelf, take the fee, and disappear when the bank refuses the account. We work the other way round: we start from your customers, your invoicing and your compliance profile, then choose the licence that survives all three.
- No commission-driven recommendations
- Written scope before any payment
- One named adviser, reachable directly
7 emirates
Licensing routes covered across the entire UAE.
6 GCC markets
The UAE plus Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait.
5 service lines
Setup, consulting, marketing, advisory and recruitment.
3 languages
English, French and Arabic across advisers and documents.
What we do in Dubai
Trade licence, residence visas and corporate bank account introduction — handled end to end.
Trade licence
Activity selection, name reservation, MoA, licence issuance and establishment card.
Residence visas
Investor and employee visas: entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, visa stamping.
Corporate banking
Introductions to UAE banks and EMIs, KYC file preparation, compliance narrative.
Office & address
Flexi-desk, shared and physical offices with a compliant registered address.
Tax registration
Corporate tax registration, VAT assessment and registration where required.
Renewals & PRO
Licence renewal, visa renewal, amendments, immigration and labour card work.
Jurisdictions and authorities in Dubai
Licensing and regulatory oversight in Dubai is handled by Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) for mainland; each free zone authority for free zone licences. The list opposite shows the main routes available — we recommend one after reviewing your activity, ownership and visa needs.
Main options
- IFZA
- Meydan Free Zone
- DMCC
- DIFC
- Dubai South
- JAFZA
- DAFZA
- Dubai Internet City
What you receive
Every Business Setup in Dubai engagement is quoted in writing before we start, with government fees and BML fees listed separately. You always know what is a state charge and what is our margin.
- Written jurisdiction recommendation with the reasoning explained
- Trade licence, incorporation certificate and MoA
- Establishment card and immigration file opened
- Investor and employee residence visas, medical and Emirates ID
- Prepared KYC pack and introductions to matching banks
- Corporate tax registration and a renewal calendar
Our process, step by step
1. Discovery call
We map your activity, ownership, visa needs and banking profile in 20 minutes.
2. Structure proposal
You receive a written recommendation: jurisdiction, licence type, visa quota and total cost.
3. Documents
You send passport copies and a short KYC form. We prepare and file everything else.
4. Licence issued
Name reservation, incorporation and licence issuance — typically within a few working days.
5. Visa & Emirates ID
Entry permit, medical test, biometrics and residence visa stamping.
6. Bank account
We prepare your file and introduce you to the banks that fit your profile.
Why clients choose BML in Dubai
- Licensed corporate service provider, not an unregulated middleman
- Fixed written quote — government fees itemised, no surprise invoices
- Direct partnerships with UAE free zone authorities
- Full support in English and French
- Realistic banking guidance: we tell you before you pay if your profile is difficult
- One named adviser from first call to Emirates ID
From AED 5,565
Free zone trade licence packages start from AED 5,565 including government fees. Consulting, marketing and recruitment work is quoted on scope, in writing, before we start.
Business Setup in Dubai — typical clients
Solo founders and consultants
One shareholder, one visa, low fixed cost. The most common Business Setup in Dubai file we handle.
Trading and e-commerce companies
Import, export and online sales structures with the customs and warehousing access they need.
Groups and holding structures
Regional headquarters, IP holding and subsidiaries with real substance in Dubai.
Dubai — frequently asked questions
Which licence or jurisdiction is right for me in Dubai?
It depends on your activity, where your customers are invoiced, how many visas you need and your banking profile. We compare the realistic options and recommend one, with the reasoning written down.
Can I open a corporate bank account?
We prepare your KYC file and introduce you to institutions that fit your profile. No adviser can guarantee an account — any who does is selling you something. We tell you honestly how your file looks before you pay.
Is Business Setup in Dubai possible with 100% foreign ownership?
Yes. Free zone companies allow full foreign ownership, and most mainland activities now do as well. We confirm the position for your specific activity before you commit.
What happens after the first year?
Your licence, visas and establishment card renew annually. We handle renewals, amendments and PRO work, and we send you the calendar so nothing lapses.
How long does the process take in Dubai?
For a straightforward file we work in days rather than months. We give you a written timeline with your quote, and we tell you which steps depend on a government authority rather than on us.
What does it cost?
You receive a fixed written quote with government fees and our fees itemised separately. Free zone trade licence packages start from AED 5,565; consulting, marketing and recruitment engagements are quoted on scope.
Do I need to travel to Dubai?
Much of the work can be completed remotely with a power of attorney and certified documents. In practice one short trip is usually needed for biometrics, Emirates ID and bank onboarding.
Do you work in French as well as English?
Yes. BML is a bilingual firm and a large share of our clients are French, Belgian and Swiss. Documents, meetings and reporting can be handled in either language.
Explore more
Ready to move forward in Dubai?
Book a free 20-minute consultation. You will leave the call with a clear recommendation and a written quote — whether or not you work with us.
+971 50 925 4043 · contact@bmluae.com · Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
BML Business Setup Advisory LLC is a licensed corporate service provider in Dubai. Company formation, management consulting, digital marketing, strategic advisory and recruitment across the UAE and the GCC.
+971 50 925 4043
contact@bmluae.com
Business Bay, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
UAE, Gulf & worldwide
© 2026 BML Business Setup Advisory LLC. All rights reserved. · SHAMS Free Zone licence 2114773 · TRN 104305302200001
Privacy policy · Terms · Contact