How much does it cost to set up a business in Dubai?

The cost of setting up a business in Dubai starts from AED 5,750 for free zone setup and AED 12,000 for mainland. All-inclusive packages with visa and bank account range from AED 15,000-25,000. Entityz offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees.

Can foreigners own 100% of a company in UAE?

Yes, foreigners can own 100% of a company in UAE. Free zones have always allowed full foreign ownership. Since 2021, mainland companies also permit 100% foreign ownership for most business activities under the Commercial Companies Law amendments.

How long does it take to set up a company in UAE?

Free zone company registration takes 1-5 business days. Mainland license takes 5-10 days. Visa processing requires 7-14 days. Bank account setup takes 2-4 weeks. Complete business setup typically takes 2-4 weeks total.

What is the difference between free zone and mainland in UAE?

Free zones offer 100% foreign ownership, 0% corporate tax up to AED 375,000, and duty-free imports but limit trading to free zone or exports. Mainland licenses allow trading anywhere in UAE, working with government clients, and have no local market restrictions.

What is the best free zone in Dubai for ecommerce?

The best free zones for ecommerce are: IFZA (most affordable, fast processing), Meydan (good for startups), Shams in Sharjah (budget-friendly), DMCC (premium, commodities), and Dubai CommerCity (dedicated ecommerce zone). IFZA and Meydan are most popular for online businesses.

Do I need to be in Dubai to start a company?

No, you can start a UAE company remotely. Most free zones offer complete online registration. Physical presence is only required for Emirates ID biometrics, visa stamping, and some bank account openings. Many entrepreneurs complete the initial setup without traveling to Dubai.

What documents are needed to start a business in UAE?

Required documents include: passport copy (valid 6+ months), passport-sized photos with white background, proof of address (utility bill or bank statement), NOC from current employer if UAE resident, and business plan for certain activities. Entityz assists with all documentation.

What is a UAE Golden Visa?

UAE Golden Visa is a 10-year renewable residence visa for investors, entrepreneurs, and exceptional talent. Eligibility includes: AED 2 million+ investment in property or business, successful entrepreneurs, or exceptional professionals in science, art, or sports.

How much is VAT in UAE?

UAE VAT is 5% on most goods and services. Businesses with taxable supplies exceeding AED 375,000 annually must register for VAT. Some items are zero-rated (exports, international transport) or exempt (residential property, local transport, financial services).

Can I get a visa for my family with a UAE business?

Yes, UAE business owners can sponsor family visas including: spouse, children (unlimited), parents (with salary requirement), and domestic helpers. Family visa costs approximately AED 3,500-5,000 per person and is valid for 2-3 years, renewable.

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Employment Contract Drafting

Unlimited contracts are gone and the three year cap on fixed term contracts was removed in 2022. Most templates still in circulation are out of date.

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UAE employment moved onto a new footing with Federal Decree-Law 33 of 2021, which abolished the unlimited contract and put every private sector employee on a fixed term. It then changed again: Federal Decree-Law 14 of 2022 removed the three year maximum the 2021 law had set, so a fixed term contract now runs for whatever period the parties agree and is renewable. That second change is the one the market missed, and templates still circulating that cap a term at three years are working from superseded law. The contract you file with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation is also not the whole arrangement. It is the standard form the ministry needs. Anything you actually want to rely on, being notice, probation, intellectual property, confidentiality and post employment restraint, belongs in a supplementary agreement that does not contradict it.

Abstract geometric line drawing: a document sheet with five ruled clauses and a signature bar, the third clause marked in teal, gold hairlines on dark navy.

Key Features

Written to the law as it now stands under Federal Decree-Law 33 of 2021 as amended by Federal Decree-Law 14 of 2022, so the term is what you agreed rather than a cap that no longer exists
The ministry standard form and your own supplementary agreement drafted as a pair, since the second cannot contradict the first without risking both
Probation, notice, working pattern and leave set explicitly against the statutory minimums, because a contract silent on a point falls back to the law and not to your intention
Confidentiality, intellectual property and post employment restraint drafted to be enforceable rather than copied from a foreign template that will not be
You supply the role, the package, the term you intend, the working pattern and the start date, which is what the ministry form and the agreement are both built from

Benefits for Your Business

A contract written to current law, not to the version that was replaced in 2022.
Your intellectual property owned by the company rather than by the person who wrote the code.
Terms you can rely on in a dispute, because they were drafted to be enforceable here.
The ministry filing handled with the drafting, rather than as a separate errand.

General information, not legal advice. UAE private sector employment is governed by Federal Decree-Law 33 of 2021 as amended, read on 16 September 2026, and administered by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. Free zones with their own employment rules differ, and we confirm which regime applies to you before drafting.