Planning your budget

UAE Business Setup Costs Explained

Build a realistic setup budget by separating licence charges, premises, visas and professional support. Compare the full first year and renewal costs before choosing a package.

Independent consultancyDubai · UAE-wide supportClear scope before commitment
Quick answer

Build a realistic setup budget by separating licence charges, premises, visas and professional support. Compare the full first year and renewal costs before choosing a package.

Information basisReviewed September 2026Fees and authority rules can change.
01Clear scope

Know what is included before you commit.

02Authority-led

Requirements are matched to the relevant licensing authority.

03No false promises

Banking, visa and regulatory approvals remain with the decision-maker.

04One next step

Every stage ends with a clear action, owner and document list.

Cost anatomy

Read the quote by what actually changes the total.

01 · cost driver

Authority

The licensing authority and selected activity set the core government-fee structure.

02 · cost driver

Workspace

Facility or premises requirements can change the first-year and renewal cost.

03 · cost driver

Visas

Residence-visa requirements add immigration and processing stages to the scope.

04 · cost driver

Approvals

Regulated activities can require additional authority or professional approvals.

05 · cost driver

MNK scope

Professional service fees should be shown separately from government and third-party charges.

COST

Compare the whole stack,
not the headline price.

01Licence & registration

Authority charges, activity and legal form.

02Workspace

Desk, office, facility or premises where required.

03Immigration & visas

Establishment file, entry permit, medical, biometrics and status steps.

04Professional support

Scope of coordination, application handling and follow-up.

05Renewals

What repeats next year—and what does not.

Try the sample estimator ↗
01

What makes up the total?

01

01.01↗

Licence and registration

Authority charges for the selected licence, company registration and applicable approvals.

02

01.02↗

Premises or workspace

The lease, desk, office, warehouse or facility arrangement required for the activity and chosen route.

03

01.03↗

Immigration and visas

Applicable establishment or immigration file charges and the processing stages for each eligible applicant.

04

01.04↗

Professional support

The consultancy and administration work listed in MNK’s written proposal.

05

01.05↗

Specialist requirements

Additional approvals, translations, attestations or specialist advice needed for the actual application.

06

01.06↗

Ongoing operation

Renewal, bookkeeping, tax compliance, insurance, banking charges and other recurring business costs.

02

Compare packages on the same basis

A zero-visa licence and a package with residence processing are not equivalent. Check how many activities are permitted, what workspace is included and whether any government or third-party charges are payable later.

Ask whether the quoted price is promotional, whether VAT applies and what the renewal price will be. Confirm what happens if an approval is refused, documents need additional work or your requirements change.

03

Questions to put beside every quotation

  • Which authority, legal form and activities does the price cover?
  • Is a workspace or lease included, and does it support the visa allocation required?
  • Which immigration, medical and identity stages are included or excluded?
  • What is the MNK service fee, and what work does it cover?
  • What are the first-year and renewal totals on the same assumptions?
  • Which charges may change following the authority’s assessment?
04

Use estimates for planning

The website estimator uses clearly labelled sample figures to show how jurisdiction and visa count affect a budget. It is not an authority tariff or a binding quotation. Request a current itemised proposal for the exact business you intend to establish.

FAQ

Questions founders
actually ask.

Why are two licence quotes so different?+

They may cover different authorities, activities, visa arrangements, facilities, approval work or promotional periods. Compare the inclusions line by line.

Is the lowest starting price the cheapest overall?+

Not necessarily. Additional required charges and renewal costs can change the overall comparison. Match the package to the actual operating requirements.

Does the estimate include bank account approval?+

No. Bank onboarding is a separate process. Assistance can be included in the service scope, but approval and account terms remain the bank’s decision.

Primary sources

Check the authority,
not the rumour.

We use official guidance to frame the conversation. Requirements, fees and approval conditions can change, so confirm the current authority position for your activity before filing.

Next step

Turn the estimate into a quote you can compare.

Ask for authority charges, workspace, visas, service fees and renewals on the same page.

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