Dubai is one of the world’s leading destinations for business and investment, combining a thriving economic environment with advanced infrastructure. Opening a company in Dubai is a strategic step for many entrepreneurs and investors, especially with the facilities provided by the UAE government to attract foreign investment. The process of establishing a company in Dubai also requires following a set of legal and administrative procedures, as well as knowing the associated costs. In this article, we will review the steps required to open a company in Dubai, the procedures and costs , starting from choosing the type of company and location, all the way to the required licenses and expected costs. We will help you understand all the important aspects to ensure the success of your project in this dynamic city.

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ToggleProcedures for opening a company in Dubai
Opening a company in Dubai requires following a set of procedures that may vary slightly depending on the type of company and the area you choose. But in general, the basic steps include the following:
- Choose the type of company and choose the company name: Choose a name that complies with Dubai laws and reserve it through the competent authority.
- Determine the business activity: Determine the business activities you will be conducting, as the license varies depending on the type of activity.
- Choose the location of the office: Whether it is in a free zone or in a place outside the free zone. Rent an office that suits the requirements of the business activity.
- Preparing documents: You need to submit documents such as passport, residence visas, lease agreement, and business plan.
- Apply for a license: Submit the license application to the relevant authorities, such as the Department of Economic Development (DED) for companies in land areas or the responsible authority in the free zone.
- Open a bank account: Open a bank account in the company’s name at a local bank.
- Visa Issuance: Apply for work and residence visas for employees and investors.
- Additional Licensing Procedures: Depending on the activity, you may require additional licenses from specific regulatory authorities.
- Tax Registration: Register your company for a tax number if there are tax requirements.
- Hiring local partners (if required): For some activities, you may need a local partner who has a certain share in the company. By following these steps, you can open a company in Dubai in accordance with the legal and administrative requirements. For professional assistance, you can hire consulting firms such as Atqan to simplify the process and ensure compliance with all procedures.
Cost Factors of Opening a Company in Dubai
The cost of opening a company in Dubai depends on several main factors, including:
- License and Type: The cost of the license varies according to the type of business activity, whether commercial, industrial, or professional, as well as according to the location of the company, whether in free zones or in land areas.
- Location: Office rental costs vary greatly depending on whether it is located in a free zone or onshore. Free zones may offer lower cost options for some companies, while onshore areas may be more expensive.
- Benefits and Amenities: Costs also include equipment expenses, administrative services, and office equipment. Some free zones offer basic office services and equipment as part of their packages.
- Labor: The costs of hiring labor include salaries, insurance, and administrative costs related to workers.
- Taxes and Fees: There may be additional fees including taxes, insurance, and government fees related to obtaining business licenses.
- Legal Consulting and Services: If you use consulting or legal services such as those from Atqan, you will also need to take these costs into account.
- All of these factors play a role in determining the total cost of opening a company in Dubai, and it varies depending on the type of activity, location, and services required.
How long does it take to open a company in Dubai?
The length of time required to establish a company in Dubai depends on several factors, including the type of company, the type of business activity, and the required documents. In general, the process can be divided into the following steps:
- Selecting the company type and specifying the business activity: 2 days to 1 week. This step includes selecting the company type (such as LLC, branch company, or free zone company) and specifying the business activity.
- Company name reservation: 2-5 days. This requires obtaining the approval of the competent authority to reserve the trade name.
- Preparing documents and applying for the license: 1-2 weeks. It also includes preparing documents such as passports, lease contract, and business plan, then submitting them to the relevant authorities to obtain the license.
- Opening a bank account: from 2 days to a week. It also depends on the speed of the procedures at the bank.
- Visa issuance: from two weeks to a month. This includes obtaining work and residence visas.
- Completing additional procedures: 1-2 weeks. This step may include tax registration, obtaining additional licenses if necessary, and signing final contracts.
- Total Duration: The process of opening a company in Dubai usually takes between 4 to 8 weeks, but it can vary depending on the complexity of the process, availability of documents, and speed of dealing with the relevant authorities. Hiring a consulting firm such as Atqan can help speed up the process and simplify the procedures.
Can I use Itqan Company to open a company in Dubai?
Yes, you can use Itqan Company, which specializes in investment and opening a company in Dubai. Our company provides a range of specialized services that include:
- Incorporation Procedures: Assisting you in choosing the most appropriate type of company (such as LLC, branch company, or free zone company) and providing advice on requirements and procedures.
- Obtaining licenses: Providing assistance in preparing and submitting necessary license applications, including commercial and industrial licenses.
- Document preparation: Assist in preparing and compiling required documents such as passports, leases, and business plans.
- Bank Account Opening: Assistance in opening a bank account in the company’s name at a local bank.
- Obtaining visas: Facilitating the procedures for obtaining work and residence visas for employees and investors.
- Compliance and Registration: Ensure compliance with all local laws and regulations, including tax registration and insurance.
Using Atqan’s services, you can simplify the process of opening a company and save time and effort, while ensuring compliance with all legal and administrative requirements.
Documents required to open a company in Dubai
Opening a company in Dubai requires submitting a set of basic documents that vary slightly depending on the type of company and location. However, in general, the required documents include the following:
- Passports: Color copies of passports of founders, directors and investors.
- Personal photos: Recent personal photos of the founders and directors, usually passport size.
- Lease Contract: A lease contract for an office or workplace, whether in a free zone or onshore. The contract must be notarized and certified if necessary.
- Business Plan: A document that outlines a company’s business, objectives, target markets, and organizational structure.
- Proof of address: Documents that prove the founders’ residential address, such as a utility bill or lease.
- Education and Experience Certificates: Copies of education and work experience certificates of the founders and managers, as required by the business.
- Partners’ Signature: All partners and investors sign the incorporation forms and legal documents.
- Official Application for Licenses: Forms and attachments for applying for a commercial or industrial license.
- Regulatory approval: For some activities, special approval may be required from the relevant regulatory authorities, such as the Ministry of Health or the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.
- Name verification: Approval of a company name, which may include providing a range of alternative names to choose from.
- Proof of Capital: In some cases, you may need to provide proof of the required capital depending on the type of company and activity.
Document requirements vary depending on the type of company and location, so it is best to check with the relevant authorities or consult a consulting firm such as Atqan to get an accurate list of required documents according to the requirements of your specific case.