Business Setup • Dubai • UAE
The right setup
starts with the
right direction.
Mainland or Free Zone. Business activity, licensing, visas, office and banking — understand the important decisions before you commit to your UAE setup.
UNIBIZ Business Setup
Understand your
setup route.
START HERE
Two common directions.
The right route depends on what you want your company to do, where you want to operate and what your business requires.
DESTINATION
FREE ZONE ROUTES
SUPPORT
Business Setup in Dubai
Do not start with a
licence. Start with the business.
A company formation decision affects more than the initial registration. Your activity, market, ownership, visas, office requirements and operating model can all influence the route that makes sense for you.
UNIBIZ helps you understand those moving parts first, so you can make the setup decision with a clearer picture of what comes next.
Dubai Business Hub
Choose the structure around the business you want to build.The two main directions
Mainland or Free Zone.
Understand the difference.
Both can be relevant depending on the nature of your business. The question is not simply which one is better — it is which structure fits what you are trying to achieve.
Dubai Mainland
Explore a mainland structure when your business model, target market and operating plans call for a Dubai mainland presence.
- Dubai mainland company structure
- Business activity and licensing
- Office requirements
- Visa planning
UAE Free Zone
Explore Free Zone options based on your activity, ownership, office requirements and how you intend to operate the business.
- Free Zone company structures
- Activity-specific options
- Workspace arrangements
- Visa planning
Business Activity
Your actual business activity is one of the first things to understand before selecting the appropriate setup route.
- Consultancy
- Trading
- E-commerce
- Professional services
Visa & Office
Your team size and workspace requirements can influence the practical setup considerations.
- Founder / partner visas
- Employee visas
- Office requirements
- Workspace options
Before you register
Your setup is shaped by
more than one decision.
Instead of starting with a generic package, look at the requirements around the business first.
Business Activity
What exactly will the company do? The activity is a key starting point when understanding licensing requirements.
Jurisdiction
Compare Dubai Mainland and relevant Free Zone routes based on where and how you want to operate.
Visa Requirements
Consider founders, partners and employees when planning the company structure and requirements.
Office Requirement
Your activity and chosen route can affect what type of workspace arrangement is appropriate.
Operating Model
Think about customers, suppliers, UAE operations and the way the business will actually function.
Future Plans
A setup should make sense not only on day one, but also for the direction you expect the business to take.
How it works
From idea to setup.
You do not need to know every licence, jurisdiction or government process before contacting us. Start with what you want to build. We help you work out the route.
Start Setup FinderTell us what you want to build
Start with your business activity, target market and what you want the company to achieve.
Compare the right routes
Understand Mainland, Free Zone and other relevant options based on your actual requirements.
Work through the requirements
Look at licensing, visas, office requirements, documents, approvals and the expected journey.
Move forward with clarity
Once the route is clear, our team can guide you through the next steps.
Beyond company formation
The trade licence is
only the beginning.
Once your company is established, the practical side of running the business begins. Banking, visas, accounting, compliance and operational decisions continue as the company grows.
Common questions
Before you
get started.
Every business is different. These are some of the questions entrepreneurs commonly ask before choosing a setup route.
The suitable route depends on your business activity, intended market, ownership structure, office requirements, visa needs and how you plan to operate. UNIBIZ can help you compare the relevant options before you proceed.
Ready when you are
Tell us what you
want to build.
We'll help you work out the route, requirements and next steps.