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Virtual office vs flexi desk in Dubai
| Virtual office | Flexi desk | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | A business address, mail handling, sometimes a phone line | A shared desk in a business centre or free zone, with a registered lease |
| Registered lease | No | Yes: an Ejari on the mainland, or a free zone lease |
| Backs a trade license | No, on its own | Yes, for the activities the authority allows |
| Residence visas | None | Usually 1 to 3 |
So what: if you need a license or a visa, buy a flexi desk, not a virtual office. A virtual office only makes sense on top of a license you already hold.
Virtual office and flexi desk cost in Dubai
- Virtual office (address only): a few thousand dirhams a year, from business centres.
- Mainland flexi desk with Ejari: about AED 8,000 to 15,000 a year, before the license fee.
- Free zone package with a flexi desk: about AED 5,000 to 20,000 a year, often including the license. See the cheapest free zones.
Many free zones bundle the desk into the license price, so compare the total first year cost, not the desk alone.
Mainland or free zone: where a flexi desk works
- Free zones: a flexi desk is the normal starting option, for example at Meydan, IFZA or Dubai South.
- Dubai mainland: the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) accepts a business centre Ejari for some activities, while others need a dedicated office. We check your activity before you sign anything. See the mainland trade license guide.
How many visas does a flexi desk give?
Usually 1 to 3 residence visas, set by the authority and the business centre. On the mainland, the visa quota grows with the office size registered on the Ejari, so a team that will grow past 3 people needs a bigger office later.
Find the right office option
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We match you to a flexi desk or office that the licensing authority accepts.
Get an Office OptionEntityz has set up businesses for more than 500 entrepreneurs from over 50 nationalities, with a 95% client retention rate.
General information, not legal advice. Office rules and visa quotas are set by each licensing authority and business centre, and prices were gathered in September 2026. We confirm the current terms for your activity before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a virtual office and a flexi desk in Dubai?
A virtual office is an address and mail service only. A flexi desk is a shared desk with a registered lease (Ejari or free zone lease), which can back a trade license and residence visas.
Can I get a trade license with a virtual office in Dubai?
Not with an address only. The licensing authority needs a registered lease, which a flexi desk or office provides.
How much does a flexi desk cost in Dubai?
About AED 8,000 to 15,000 a year for a mainland flexi desk with Ejari, and about AED 5,000 to 20,000 a year for a free zone package, often including the license.
How many visas can I get with a flexi desk?
Usually 1 to 3 residence visas, depending on the authority and the business centre.
Does a flexi desk come with an Ejari?
On the mainland, yes: the business centre registers an Ejari for your desk. In a free zone, you get the free zone's own lease instead of an Ejari.
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