Dubai is where most Gulf founders start, because you can trade globally from day one: full foreign ownership on both mainland and free zone licences, no personal income tax, direct flights to almost every market, and a bank, lawyer or accountant on every corner of DIFC and Business Bay. It is also the most competitive market in the region — the members who get the most out of the club here are the ones using it for introductions rather than cold outreach.

What business setup in Dubai costs

A free zone licence in Dubai typically runs from roughly AED 12,000–25,000 a year for a package with one or two visa allocations, while a mainland DED licence usually starts near AED 15,000–30,000 once name reservation, initial approval and market fees are added. Budget separately for establishment card, medical and Emirates ID per visa, and for corporate tax registration — 9% applies to taxable profits above AED 375,000. Use the company formation and visa calculators for a figure based on your own activity and headcount.

Mainland vs free zone is the first decision — our Dubai guide compares ownership, office and visa quotas.
Monthly founder breakfasts and investor meetups run across DIFC, Marina and Business Bay.
Corporate tax registration is mandatory even below the AED 375,000 taxable-profit threshold.