Apps · Setup checklist

UAE company setup checklist.

Steps founders typically follow, plus official published fees for selected jurisdictions. Confirm every fee on the authority’s site before you pay.

General information only. Not legal, tax, immigration, investment or other professional advice. Fees and rules change: confirm on the official source before you act. Startup Roof is not affiliated with any organisation named here, and naming something is not a partnership or endorsement.

Checklist

Choose your business activity and whether mainland or free zone fits.
Reserve a trade name and seek initial approval from the licensing authority.
Prepare incorporation documents (MoA/AoA where required) and proof of address.
Apply for the licence; free zones often issue within about 14 working days after approval (UAE Government portal).
Open a business bank account, register for corporate tax (and VAT if required), then apply for visas.

Official sources

Official fees (selected jurisdictions)

DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre) (Dubai) — Innovation Licence (technology and innovation firms). As of 2026-10-16.
Innovation Licence: USD 1,500 per year (Subsidised rate for the first 2 years; from year 3 the rate depends on headcount (USD 12,000 per year above 10 FTEs).)
Registration fee: USD 100 one time
Data protection fee: USD 0 one time
Coworking desk (optional): USD 250 per month, billed annually
ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) (Abu Dhabi) — Tech Startup Licence. As of 2026-10-16.
Tech Startup licence, new registration: USD 1,500
Tech Startup licence, annual renewal: USD 1,500
Data protection fee: USD 300 at registration and each renewal
Meydan Free Zone (Dubai) — Digital trade licence (up to 3 activity groups, flexi-desk). As of 2026-10-16.
Standard digital trade licence: From AED 12,500 (Includes a flexi-desk, per Meydan FZ.)
Fawri instant licence (under 60 minutes): From AED 15,000
Investor visa: From AED 4,000 (Plus a one-time immigration establishment card from AED 2,000.)
Employee visa: From AED 3,500

Official sources

Open the free-zone comparison table