Skip to content
Emirae.Pro UAE Business Services Platform

UAE Business Guides

Practical, plain-language guides on setting up and running a business in the UAE — company formation, banking, corporate tax, visas, hiring, relocation, setup costs and choosing the right consultant. Learn the ground rules here, then submit one request when you are ready to compare verified consultants.

The full library

All UAE Business Guides

Every published guide, newest first. Use the search box above to narrow the list.

190 guides
Forklift moving cartons past a row of loading bays at an industrial warehouse Business Setup Vendor and Supplier Registration in the UAE: Government and Big Buyers Where to register as a supplier in the UAE: eSupply for over 40 Dubai entities, the federal Digital Procurement Platform (no fees, 30 working days), ADGPG… 10 min read Read Marketer adding a sticky note to a hand-drawn sales funnel on a whiteboard Business Setup Lead Generation for Service Firms in the UAE: What a Client Costs Google Ads clicks for company formation searches in Dubai cost USD 9.87 on average (Semrush, 5 October 2026). Channels compared by cost, speed and control, with… 10 min read Read Auditor reading through a thick binder of financial statements behind a glass office partition Tax & Accounting ICV Certifying Bodies in the UAE: The Official List and How to Choose MoIAT listed 25 authorised ICV certifying bodies on 5 October 2026. Where the official list is, what they check, how to compare quotes (AED 500 to… 7 min read Read Hand ticking a supplier compliance checklist on a factory office desk beside machine parts and work gloves Tax & Accounting ICV Certificate in the UAE: Cost, Steps and Validity How the UAE ICV score is built (50% spend, 25% investment, 15% Emiratisation, 10% expats), why it lasts 14 months, the AED 500 to AED 10,000… 10 min read Read Person carrying a document folder walking fast through a shaded arcade Business Setup How to Start a PRO Services Company in Dubai Licence, PRO cards and VAT for a Dubai PRO firm: MOHRE PRO card at AED 40 with a AED 72 cap on centre commission, government fees… 9 min read Read Clerk sorting passport photos and forms at a busy service counter as a printer outputs a page Business Setup How to Open a Typing Center in Dubai: Licence and Accreditation DET licence first, then a separate authorisation from GDRFA (Amer), MOHRE (Tas-heel) or ICP. GDRFA publishes a form, not fees; MOHRE's last readable criteria asked for… 8 min read Read Lawyer reading by a window in a law library lined with legal volumes Tax & Accounting How to Open a Law Firm or Legal Consultancy in Dubai Dubai law firms need a DLAD professional licence and a commercial licence. DLAD charges AED 3,000 per partner, at least AED 15,000 for a foreign branch,… 10 min read Read Overhead view of an audit team working through binders and laptops at a meeting table Tax & Accounting How to Open an Audit Firm in the UAE: Licence and Registration Auditors need a MoET licence (AED 4,500 for three years), firms another (AED 10,500 local, AED 45,000 per foreign branch), plus AED 1,000,000 indemnity cover and… 9 min read Read Accountant working late at two monitors under a desk lamp in a small office Tax & Accounting How to Open an Accounting and Bookkeeping Firm in Dubai Licence and activity for bookkeeping in Dubai, the legal line with auditing (AED 100 plus AED 4,500 ministry register), goAML duty, AED 3,000 tax agent add-on… 10 min read Read Calculator, reading glasses and a cup of Arabic coffee on a printed tax return Tax & Accounting How to Become a Registered Tax Agent in the UAE (FTA) FTA tax agent rules read on 5 October 2026: degree plus 3 years of experience, qualifying tests, AED 3,000 for 3 years per person, AED 10,000… 10 min read Read Handshake across a reception desk in a business centre lobby Business Setup Free Zone Partner Programmes for Consultants: How Commission Works 14 UAE free zone partner programmes compared from their own pages: RAKEZ paybacks up to 35%, Creative City referrals up to AED 2,500, Meydan and SPC… 8 min read Read Company seal stamp pressed onto a document next to a fountain pen Business Setup Corporate Service Provider Licence in the UAE: DIFC, ADGM and DMCC How to become a corporate service provider in DIFC (DFSA fee USD 6,000 a year), ADGM (USD 50,000 capital, USD 1,000,000 indemnity cover) or DMCC (activity… 9 min read Read Business owner scrolling a list of service providers on a phone at a cafe table Business Setup Best B2B Lead Platforms and Directories for Service Firms in the UAE Clutch Verified USD 499 a year, Sortlist from EUR 129 a month, DesignRush from USD 200 a month, Emirae AED 100 to 800 per client: what… 8 min read Read Rows of stacked steel pipes in a desert pipe yard with a distant worker Business Setup ADNOC Supplier Registration: Requirements, ICV and Steps How to register and pre-qualify as an ADNOC supplier: free of charge, estimated 14 days for registration and 90 days for pre-qualification, an Abu Dhabi licence,… 9 min read Read Business Setup DMCC Business Setup Consultants: Do You Need One and How to Choose DMCC business setup consultants explained from DMCC itself: you can apply directly, what goes to DMCC and what to the consultant, DMCC partner lists and commission,… 5 min read Read Business Setup DFSA Category 4 License in DIFC: Activities, Capital and Fees DFSA Category 4 licence explained from the DFSA rulebook: which services qualify, USD 30,000 base capital, USD 15,000 application fee, annual fees, DIFC registration fees, required… 4 min read Read Visas & Residency RAKEZ Visa Cost, Application Steps and Status Check RAKEZ visa cost from rakez.com service pages: investor visa AED 4,620, employee visa AED 3,800, renewal, dependants, cancellation, facility visa quotas, how to apply and how… 4 min read Read Business Setup Ajman Free Zone Activity List: How It Works and What It Holds The official Ajman Free Zone activity list explained: 1,639 activities in the public table on 4 October 2026 by licence type, general trading exclusions, combining activities,… 3 min read Read Business Setup Ajman Free Zone License Requirements and Documents Ajman Free Zone licence requirements from afz.gov.ae: documents for FZE, FZC and branches, corporate shareholders, age and residency rules, premises, share capital, licence types and the… 4 min read Read Visas & Residency Ajman Free Zone Visa Cost: Every Step and How to Check Status Ajman Free Zone visa cost from the AFZ service catalogue: entry permit AED 1,000, status change AED 800, residence visa AED 2,400, establishment card AED 750,… 4 min read Read Business Setup DIFC Prescribed Company: Holding Company Cost and 2026 Rules DIFC Prescribed Company cost and rules: USD 100 to incorporate and USD 1,000 a year against USD 8,000 and USD 12,000 for a private company, the… 4 min read Read Business Setup DIFC Foundation: Cost, Setup and Who Must Be Involved DIFC foundation cost from the DIFC fee table: no registration fee, USD 350 a year licence plus AED 20, USD 300 confirmation statement, founder, council and… 4 min read Read Tax & Accounting DMCC Approved Auditors: The List, the Rules and the Deadline DMCC approved auditors explained from DMCC rules: where the official list is (325 firms on 4 October 2026), why only a listed firm may sign, the… 4 min read Read Business Setup Ajman Media City Free Zone License Cost: All 11 Packages Ajman Media City Free Zone licence cost from amc.gov.ae: Business Club AED 4,999 a year with no visa, AED 12,999 with one visa, up to AED… 4 min read Read Business Setup Dubai Design District (d3) License Cost: DDA Fees and Rules Dubai Design District (d3) licence cost from the DDA fee schedule: AED 15,000 a year for design, fashion and luxury without manufacturing, AED 20,000 with manufacturing,… 3 min read Read Business Setup Dubai Media City License Cost: DDA Fees, Office and Visas Dubai Media City licence cost from the DDA fee schedule: AED 15,000 a year for most media sectors, AED 20,000 for advertising, AED 3,500 registration, AED… 3 min read Read Business Setup Dubai Internet City License Cost: DDA Fees, Office and Visas Dubai Internet City licence cost from the DDA fee schedule: AED 15,000 a year per technology sector, AED 3,500 registration, AED 10,000 capital, one visa per… 3 min read Read Business Setup DDA Free Zones License Cost: Internet City, Media City, d3 and More Licence cost in the nine Dubai Development Authority free zones from DDA Decision No. 1 of 2021: AED 3,500 registration, AED 15,000 to 40,000 a year… 4 min read Read Business Setup SRTIP Free Zone License Cost: SPARK Packages From AED 3,999 SRTIP (Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park) licence cost: SPARK packages from AED 3,999 on the current offer, older published prices, the AI Hub offer and… 3 min read Read Business Setup Ajman NuVentures Free Zone License Cost: Packages From AED 4,888 Ajman NuVentures Centre Free Zone (ANCFZ) licence cost from ancfz.ae: zero-visa package from AED 4,888, visa package from AED 10,800, no minimum paid-up capital for most… 3 min read Read Business Setup DWTC Free Zone License Cost: Calculator Prices, Visas and Rules DWTC Free Zone licence cost from its official calculator: AED 12,000 a year for professional, commercial or e-commerce licences, AED 24,000 general trading, visas, establishment card… 3 min read Read Business Setup Fujairah Creative City License Cost: Packages From AED 3,999 Fujairah Creative City licence cost from its own site: Media package AED 3,999 a year with no visa, Elite AED 9,999 with one visa, Elite+ AED… 3 min read Read Business Setup twofour54 License Cost: Fee Waiver, Offices and Visas twofour54 licence cost from the Creative Media Authority: licence and registration waived for two years, Co-Lab office AED 10,000 plus VAT, Co-Create 20,000, freelance licence and… 3 min read Read Business Setup Dubai Healthcare City License Cost: DHCC Fees, Bundles and DHA Dubai Healthcare City licence cost from the DHCA price list effective 1 September 2026: AED 15,000 a year for clinics, hospitals 25,000 to 45,000, bundles from… 5 min read Read Business Setup Masdar City Free Zone License Cost: Packages, Desks and Visas Masdar City Free Zone licence cost from its own site: Startup AED 7,000 plus VAT, Innovation 12,000, Business One 17,500 with a visa, Enterprise 27,000, desks… 3 min read Read Business Setup KEZAD Free Zone License Cost: Packages, Tariff and Renewal KEZAD free zone licence cost from KEZAD Group: one-visa packages from AED 9,450 a year with VAT, two to four visa packages, renewal at AED 5,000… 3 min read Read Business Setup Hamriyah Free Zone Business Setup: Cost, Packages and Visas Hamriyah free zone business setup from official sources: the AED 11,000 basic licence cost in the HFZA FAQ, indicative warehouse charges, 14 office packages with 1… 5 min read Read Business Setup DAFZA License Cost: What Dubai Airport Freezone Publishes DAFZA licence cost from official sources: what Dubai Airport Freezone publishes (Talent Pass AED 7,500, Scality licence AED 1,000, office visa quotas, AED 1 FZCO capital)… 5 min read Read Business Setup Dubai Silicon Oasis License Cost: Dtec Packages, Licences and Rules Dubai Silicon Oasis licence cost from official sources: Dtec desks from AED 18,000 in year 1 with two visas, licences at AED 5,000 and 8,000 a… 5 min read Read Business Setup SAIF Zone Company Formation: Licence Fees, Offices and Visas SAIF Zone company formation from SAIF Zone's own forms: licence fees of AED 7,500 to 15,000, office and warehouse rents, visa quotas, AED 150,000 share capital… 5 min read Read Business Setup RAK ICC Offshore Company Cost: Registry Fees, Renewal and Rules RAK offshore company cost from the RAK ICC fee schedule effective 1 January 2026: AED 3,250 to incorporate, AED 3,950 a year to renew, surcharges, the… 6 min read Read Business Setup JAFZA License Cost: Licence Fees, Offshore Company and Visas JAFZA licence cost from JAFZA's own fee tables: licences from AED 5,000 a year, AED 5,000 registration, the offshore company at AED 10,000, immigration card and… 7 min read Read Business Setup Dubai South Free Zone: Licence Cost, Packages and Visas Dubai South free zone licence cost from official sources: Dubai South Business Hub packages from AED 12,500 with a flexi desk, the DACC licence at AED… 8 min read Read Business Setup Abu Dhabi Free Zone License Cost: Every Zone Compared What every Abu Dhabi free zone publishes about licence cost in 2026: ADAFZ from AED 6,000, Masdar City from AED 7,000, KEZAD AED 9,450 with a… 9 min read Read Business Setup Influencer License UAE: the Advertiser Permit, Fees and Trade Licence The UAE influencer licence in 2026: who needs the National Media Authority Advertiser Permit, what it costs, the trade licence behind it, visitors and fines. 6 min read Read Business Setup How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Dubai: Exam, Broker Card and Fees How to become a real estate agent in Dubai: the DLD brokerage exam at AED 772.50, the RERA broker card at AED 520, what you need,… 6 min read Read Business Setup UAE Free Zone Company Setup Cost A price census of UAE free zone offerings: twelve of sixteen publish a starting figure, four publish none, and only a handful publish a renewal price. 8 min read Read Business Setup Fujairah Free Zone Company Setup Fujairah has two free zone authorities: Creative City publishes packages from AED 3,999 a year, while Fujairah Free Zone Authority states facility rents from AED 18,000… 7 min read Read Business Setup Sharjah Free Zone Company Setup A Sharjah free zone company setup starts at AED 5,750 at SPC Free Zone and AED 5,760 at SHAMS. Costs by component and the four zones… 7 min read Read Founder comparing low investment business ideas in a Dubai shared workspace Business Setup Best Low Investment Businesses to Start in Dubai A practical low-investment business guide for Dubai, organised by capital-light models, setup reality, risks and activity choice. 8 min read Read Tax & Accounting Trade Licence Cancellation and Company Liquidation in Dubai Cancelling a trade licence in Dubai: the DET fees, which legal forms need a liquidator and a 45-day creditor window, what to close before and after… 8 min read Read Business Setup How to Open a Bank Account in Dubai Online: What Works Remotely Which UAE banks onboard entirely through an app, what still needs a branch, and what each digital account costs to run. 7 min read Read Business Setup Zero Balance Accounts in the UAE Without Minimum Salary: What Is Real Four different arrangements are called zero balance in the UAE. Which is which, and the accounts whose published schedules state no minimum at all. 9 min read Read Business Setup Opening an Offshore Bank Account in Dubai: What Banks Require and Charge An offshore company and a non-resident applicant are assessed differently. What each needs, and what UAE banks publish for international transfers. 8 min read Read Business Setup UAE Business Accounts With No Minimum Balance: 11 Options Compared Nine UAE banks publish eleven business accounts with no minimum balance. The monthly fee each charges instead, taken from the published schedules. 10 min read Read Business Setup Renting in Abu Dhabi: What It Costs and How Tawtheeq Works Abu Dhabi is usually described as the quieter, cheaper alternative to Dubai, and on rent that is broadly true. What the description hides is that the… 8 min read Read Visas & Residency Moving to Dubai from the UK: A Practical Relocation Guide Moving from the UK to Dubai is not a harder version of moving to Spain. It is a different shape of move: your right to live… 9 min read Read Business Setup Renting in Dubai: What It Costs, How Contracts Work and What Ejari Is Rent is the line that decides whether Dubai is affordable for you. Everything else in a monthly budget moves within a fairly narrow band, but the… 9 min read Read Foreign founder reviewing Dubai business setup documents with a local advisor Business Setup How to Start a Small Business in Dubai as a Foreigner A practical foreign-founder guide to starting a small business in Dubai, covering ownership, setup route, visas, banking and documents. 8 min read Read A quiet clinic corridor lined with upholstered chairs, a clipboard of forms left on the nearest seat Visas & Residency Medical Fitness Centres in Dubai All 25 medical fitness centres Dubai Health publishes, grouped by area, and what the official source does not tell you. Read 8 August 2026. 8 min read Read A woman hands a document folder across a service counter to a member of staff in a bright modern hall Business Setup Typing Centres in Dubai Which counter takes your task, and the Amer centres GDRFA publishes for Dubai with area and phone. Count and counter hours checked on 3 October 2026. 12 min read Read Business Setup Equivalency Certificate in the UAE For a foreign degree the UAE equivalency certificate is now a MOHESR recognition report: AED 400 in total (350 verification, 50 report), 18 working days. 8 min read Read Tax & Accounting Best VAT Consultants in Dubai 35 VAT consultants covering Dubai, with registration, filing, refunds, deregistration and penalty work recorded against each. Not a ranking. 4 min read Read Visas & Residency Best Visa Services in Dubai 37 visa services firms covering Dubai, with employment, family, golden, investor and renewal work recorded against each. A coverage list, not a ranking. 5 min read Read Business Setup Best Business Consultants in Dubai 64 business consultants covering Dubai, with consulting, market entry, business plan and relocation work recorded against each. Not a ranking. 5 min read Read Business Setup PRO Services in Fujairah Fujairah runs its own free zone registry and its own immigration counter. What a PRO actually does there, and what the directory can and cannot tell… 4 min read Read Visas & Residency UAE Golden Visa for Indian Applicants India apostilles documents. The UAE does not accept apostilles. What an Indian applicant must do instead, plus the LRS ceiling on moving the money. 4 min read Read Visas & Residency Retirement Visa in the UAE The 5-year retiree visa has four conditions, and Dubai raises one of them from AED 180,000 to AED 240,000. Read from the UAE Government portal. 3 min read Read Business Setup Professional Licence in Dubai Dubai issues eight licence types; the federal list has six. Where the professional licence sits, what legal forms suit it, and the local agent question. 4 min read Read Tax & Accounting Excise Tax in the UAE Sweetened drinks moved to a per-litre sugar model on 1 January 2026. Rates, who must register, and a figure two official sources disagree on. 4 min read Read Tax & Accounting VAT Refunds for Business in the UAE Refunding excess input tax if you are registered, and the Business Visitor scheme if you are not. Windows, minimums and conditions from the FTA. 4 min read Read Business Setup Payments Company Licence in the UAE Central Bank licence categories I to IV, what each one lets you do, and the exact initial capital each demands. Straight from the CBUAE Rulebook. 4 min read Read Tax & Accounting Transfer Pricing in the UAE The disclosure form applies far more widely than the master file. Thresholds, deadlines and the 30-day rule, from the FTA Transfer Pricing Guide. 4 min read Read Business Setup DIFC Company Setup DIFC bills registration and licence separately, and halves both for retail. The Registrar of Companies fee table, read as a buyer would read it. 6 min read Read Business Setup ADGM Company Formation Cost What forming a company in Abu Dhabi Global Market costs under the 2025 fee rules, which of the two regulators you answer to, and what the… 9 min read Read Business Setup Offshore Company in the UAE Three UAE registries issue offshore companies, none publishes a tariff, and the old zero tax pitch no longer matches the law. What is true now. 4 min read Read Tax & Accounting goAML Registration in the UAE goAML registration is compulsory for UAE real estate, audit, precious metals and corporate service firms. The four tests, steps and penalties. 4 min read Read Business Setup Holding Company in the UAE Holding shares is a Qualifying Activity under Ministerial Decision 229 of 2025, but only if held 12 uninterrupted months. The conditions in full. 4 min read Read Tax & Accounting Power of Attorney in the UAE A UAE power of attorney must be notarised, and one signed abroad needs the full legalisation chain. MOFA charges AED 150. The steps in order. 4 min read Read Visas & Residency Digital Nomad Visa for Dubai Dubai’s remote work visa needs USD 3,500 a month and no local sponsor. Official fees, documents and timelines from the issuing authorities. 3 min read Read Business Setup Ajman Free Zone Business Setup Cost Ajman has three free zones: Ajman NuVentures Centre from AED 4,888, Ajman Media City from AED 4,999, and Ajman Free Zone, which quotes setup by enquiry… 10 min read Read Visas & Residency Sponsoring Your Parents for a UAE Residence Visa Sponsoring parents in Dubai needs AED 10,000 salary, an attested tenancy contract and a AED 5,000 guarantee per person. Full requirements and fees. 4 min read Read Business Setup Low-Cost Business Setup in Dubai A Dubai licence advertised from AED 12,500 becomes about AED 22,600 once the first visa is added. Where the money goes, and how to spend less. 5 min read Read Business Setup E-Commerce License in Dubai and the UAE: Cost by Route E-commerce licence cost in Dubai and the UAE by route: eTrader AED 1,370 a year, free zone e-commerce licences from AED 5,500, DWTC AED 12,000, Meydan… 6 min read Read A close-up of hands signing a document with a fountain pen, a brass seal resting on the page beside them Business Setup Notary Public in Dubai The Dubai notary fee schedule as set by law, what a private notary may do, and how remote notarisation by video and e-Notary actually works. 6 min read Read Tax & Accounting Corporate Tax Return Filing in the UAE When the corporate tax return is due, what the nine parts of it contain, when audited accounts are compulsory, and the penalty for every month late. 4 min read Read Tax & Accounting VAT Return Filing in the UAE The 28 day deadline, how your tax period is set, what goes in each VAT 201 box, how to fix an error, and the penalties in… 5 min read Read Business Setup Business Setup in Dubai from the UK A Dubai licence does not change your UK tax residence. The HMRC day counts, FCDO legalisation fees, and which steps still need you on the ground. 5 min read Read Business Setup Business Setup in Dubai from India Setting up in Dubai while resident in India: the LRS ceiling of USD 250,000, why an Indian apostille is not enough, and what needs you in… 6 min read Read Business Setup DMCC Business Setup: License Cost, Visas and Steps DMCC business setup from DMCC's own schedule: AED 34,185 in year one, licence AED 20,285, packages from AED 10,345, visa from AED 2,972.50 and about 10… 10 min read Read Banking How to Open a UAE Bank Account Without Residency: Rules and Costs Three different non-resident cases, and only one of them is straightforward. What banks ask for, and what the account costs once it is open. 9 min read Read Visas & Residency The UAE Green Visa Five years, self-sponsored, no employer. Skilled workers need AED 15,000 a month, freelancers AED 360,000 a year, investors a licensed project. 4 min read Read Tax & Accounting Tax Residency Certificate in the UAE FTA fees are AED 50 to submit plus AED 500 to AED 1,750 to issue, decided by whether you hold a Corporate Tax TRN. All three… 5 min read Read Business Setup E-Trader Licence in Dubai The Dubai eTrader licence costs AED 1,070 plus AED 300 Dubai Chamber membership, cannot open a shop, and who may hold it. Routes open to everyone… 5 min read Read Business Setup Certificate Attestation in Dubai The full attestation chain for a certificate used in Dubai: home authority, foreign ministry, UAE embassy at AED 150, then MOFA at AED 150. Order matters. 5 min read Read Business Setup MOFA Attestation in the UAE MOFA attestation costs AED 150 per personal certificate and AED 2,000 per commercial document. Digital in 2 hours, courier in 1-3 days. Full procedure. 5 min read Read Visas & Residency UAE Golden Visa: Requirements and Categories Every UAE Golden Visa category with ICP thresholds: AED 2M investment or property, AED 500,000 project, GPA 3.5 or 3.8, AED 30,000 salary. All 10 years. 6 min read Read Business Setup Best Business Setup Companies in Dubai 37 business setup companies covering Dubai, with mainland, free zone, offshore and branch work recorded against each. A coverage list, not a ranking. 4 min read Read Tax & Accounting Law Firms in Dubai for Business 32 legal and compliance firms covering Dubai, with the 5 recorded for corporate law or disputes shown separately. No size ranking. 5 min read Read Tax & Accounting Top Audit Firms in Dubai The 12 audit firms covering Dubai in our directory, plus the check that matters more than any list: the Ministry of Economy auditors register. 4 min read Read Tax & Accounting Top Accounting Firms in Dubai 48 accounting firms covering Dubai in our directory, with the bookkeeping, audit, statements and payroll work recorded against each. Not a ranking. 4 min read Read Business Setup How to Renew a Trade License in Dubai How to renew a Dubai trade licence in 2026: Invest in Dubai portal steps, the Ejari question, what sets the renewal fee and what late renewal… 4 min read Read Visas & Residency How to Extend a UAE Visit Visa Extending a UAE visit or tourist visa in 2026: up to 120 days in total for a Dubai tourist visa, the AED 600 GDRFA fee plus… 4 min read Read Business Setup UAQ Free Zone Guide (Umm Al Quwain) UAQ Free Trade Zone in 2026: UAQ LYTE from AED 5,500, UAQ START with a visa at AED 12,500, licence types, FZE and FZC entities, and… 4 min read Read Business Setup Police Clearance Certificate in the UAE UAE police clearance certificate in 2026: MOI and Dubai Police channels, fees from AED 100, 3-month validity and how to apply after leaving the UAE. 4 min read Read Business Setup DMCC Activity List DMCC publishes two different totals for its own activity catalogue. Its licence guide states “1,000+ approved activities across 20 sectors”; its homepage describes members “specialising in… 5 min read Read Business Setup Shams Activity List Shams publishes something most free zones do not: an exact, written rule for how many activities a licence holds. Not “several”, not “usually around seven”, but… 5 min read Read Business Setup RAKEZ Activity List RAKEZ is the unusual case among UAE activity lists. Most authorities license either free zone companies or mainland companies. Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone licenses both,… 5 min read Read Business Setup Meydan Activity List Meydan Free Zone runs two licensing routes, and which one you can use depends on the activities you pick. That is the single fact that makes… 5 min read Read Business Setup DED Activity List A DED activity list is the catalogue of business activities that a Department of Economic Development will license. There is no single UAE-wide list. Each emirate’s… 7 min read Read Consulting founder leading a client workshop in Dubai Business Setup How to Start a Consulting Business in Dubai A practical guide to starting a consulting business in Dubai, covering advisory scope, activity choice, regulated limits and setup risks. 8 min read Read Software startup team testing a product in a Dubai office Business Setup How to Start a Software Company in Dubai A practical guide to starting a software company in Dubai, covering SaaS, app development, custom software, licensing and setup choices. 8 min read Read IT company founder and technician configuring office network equipment in Dubai Business Setup How to Start an IT Company in Dubai A practical guide to starting an IT company in Dubai, covering IT services, system integration, support, reseller models and setup boundaries. 8 min read Read Digital marketing agency founder directing a content shoot in Dubai Business Setup How to Start a Digital Marketing Agency in Dubai A practical setup guide for starting a digital marketing agency in Dubai, covering activity choice, service scope, clients, staffing and compliance risks. 8 min read Read E-commerce founder preparing online orders in a Dubai fulfillment studio Business Setup How to Start an E-Commerce Business in Dubai A practical guide to starting an e-commerce business in Dubai, covering online store models, activity choice, payments, logistics and setup risks. 8 min read Read Fashion boutique founder adjusting garments in a Dubai retail store Business Setup How to Start a Fashion Boutique in Dubai A practical guide to starting a fashion boutique in Dubai, covering apparel retail, own-brand versus multi-brand, location, sourcing and setup scope. 8 min read Read Mobile accessories shop owner arranging display products in Dubai Business Setup How to Start a Mobile Accessories Business in Dubai A practical guide to starting a mobile accessories business in Dubai, covering retail, wholesale, sourcing, repair add-ons and setup scope. 8 min read Read Cosmetics trading founders reviewing skincare inventory in a Dubai showroom Business Setup How to Start a Cosmetic Trading Business in Dubai A practical guide to starting a cosmetic trading business in Dubai, covering product registration sensitivity, labels, import and retail scope. 8 min read Read Business Ideas What UAE Creative Businesses Can Learn from Keene’s 2019 Walldogs Project What You Need to Know First The 2019 Walldogs project in Keene, New Hampshire turned a four-day mural event into a walkable, year-round tourism asset. For… 9 min read Read An envelope, a set of keys and a folded shirt on a table, a packed cardboard box behind Visas & Residency UAE Residence Visa Cost: Fees, Renewal & What to Budget “How much does a UAE residence visa cost?” is one of the most common questions expats ask – and the honest answer is that it depends… 4 min read Read Two people at a kitchen table in the evening going through a stack of paperwork, a child's drawing on the fridge behind Visas & Residency UAE Family Visa Cost: Full Breakdown Sponsoring your family for a UAE residence visa is one of the most common questions for expats – and the cost is rarely a single number.… 4 min read Read Tax & Accounting UAE VAT Calculator: Add or Remove 5% VAT Free UAE VAT calculator. Add or remove the 5% standard VAT from any amount, with the formulas, examples and when VAT applies. 3 min read Read A cardboard box holding a folded jacket and a potted plant on a desk beside an empty office chair Hiring & Payroll UAE Gratuity Calculator: End-of-Service Pay Estimate your UAE end-of-service gratuity: 21 days' basic salary per year for the first 5 years, 30 days after, capped at 2 years. Free calculator, examples… 4 min read Read Tea coffee and spices shop owner serving a customer in Dubai Business Ideas How to Start a Tea Coffee and Spices Business in Dubai A practical guide to starting a tea, coffee and spices business in Dubai, covering foodstuff trading, sourcing, labelling, storage and retail scope. 8 min read Read Kiosk business owner arranging products in a Dubai mall corridor Business Ideas How to Start a Kiosk Business in Dubai A practical operator guide to starting a kiosk business in Dubai, covering compact retail formats, mall approvals, activity choice and setup risks. 8 min read Read A workshop bench with hand tools laid out in rows and a vice at one end, daylight through the open roller door Costs & Offers RAKEZ Cost and License Guide RAKEZ prices for 2026 as published on rakez.com: packages from AED 6,000, the AED 14,000 all-inclusive visa package, visa fees, renewal rules and licence types. 8 min read Read A row of concrete industrial units with loading doors, a white van parked at the far end in low sun Business Setup SPC Free Zone: Packages, Costs and the Dual License SPC Free Zone in 2026: zero-visa from AED 5,750, one visa package from AED 13,175, 5 activities per licence, dual licence and the fees SPC itemises. 6 min read Read A skyline of glass towers at sunset seen from a high balcony, the waterfront beyond Visas & Residency UAE Golden Visa Cost Guide What the UAE Golden Visa costs by category, why the AED 2M threshold is a retained asset not a fee, the fee components, 5- vs 10-year… 7 min read Read A blank silver card lying on a dark slate surface beside a pen and a closed folder Hiring & Payroll UAE Labour Card What a UAE labour card (electronic work permit) is, how to check status on MOHRE, its validity, renewal, fines, and how it differs from your visa… 8 min read Read Two hands sorting a long fanned-out row of blank cards into four separate stacks on a grey surface Business Setup IFZA Activities List The full IFZA business activity catalog by category, which license type each needs, how many activities a license covers and how to combine them in 2026. 7 min read Read Tax & Accounting UAE VAT Registration Threshold UAE VAT thresholds explained: mandatory AED 375,000, voluntary AED 187,500, what counts as turnover, the 12-month and 30-day tests, worked examples. 5 min read Read A hand resting on a fan of blank sheets on a dark wooden desk, a navy document booklet and folder alongside Visas & Residency UAE Visa Cost Guide What UAE residence visas really cost in 2026: entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and stamping fees by visa type, inside vs outside applications, renewals. 4 min read Read Visas & Residency UAE Investor Visa Guide Investor and partner visa routes in the UAE: who qualifies via company ownership, documents, process, indicative costs and how the golden visa differs. 7 min read Read An open suitcase of folded clothes on an apartment floor with a child's small shoes beside it, sunlight from the balcony door Visas & Residency UAE Family Visa Sponsorship Guide How to sponsor your spouse, children and parents in the UAE: eligibility, the under-25 sons rule, documents, indicative costs, timelines and renewals. 6 min read Read A person in a dark coat carries a laptop bag toward the lit entrance of a glass office building at sunset Visas & Residency UAE Employment Visa Cost Employment visa costs in the UAE for 2026: MOHRE permit tiers, entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and insurance - and why the employer must pay, by… 6 min read Read Tax & Accounting UAE Corporate Tax Small Business Relief Small Business Relief for UAE corporate tax: AED 3M revenue test, how to elect it on EmaraTax, the extension to 2029 and when not to use… 5 min read Read Costs & Offers SHAMS License Cost Guide SHAMS licence cost in 2026 from its own site: Media package AED 5,760 and Standard AED 6,885 a year with VAT, AED 1,600 per visa allocation,… 7 min read Read Tax & Accounting Qualifying Free Zone Person in the UAE What a Qualifying Free Zone Person is, the conditions for 0% UAE corporate tax on qualifying income, the de minimis rule and what happens if you… 6 min read Read A modern glass office complex lit from within at dusk, mirrored in a still reflecting pool Business Setup Meydan Free Zone Licence Cost in 2026 Meydan Free Zone in August 2026: AED 12,500 Regular and AED 15,000 Fawri, the visa arithmetic, published add-on prices and three worked totals. 7 min read Read Tax & Accounting Mandatory vs Voluntary VAT Registration in the UAE Mandatory vs voluntary VAT registration in the UAE: thresholds, pros and cons, when voluntary registration pays off, the 12-month lock-in and deregistration. 5 min read Read Business Setup IFZA vs Meydan vs SHAMS: Which UAE Free Zone Fits Your Business? IFZA, Meydan and SHAMS compared for 2026: published costs by visa tier where the zones publish them, activities, offices, banking and best fit. 8 min read Read A person in a suit crossing the sunlit lobby of an office building, a stone staircase to one side Costs & Offers IFZA Free Zone Cost and License Guide IFZA license costs for 2026: package tiers by visa quota, what the headline price excludes, per-visa fees, renewal costs and the financial statement rule. 5 min read Read Tax & Accounting UAE VAT Certificate: How to Get It, What It Shows and the Documents Needed Full VAT registration document checklist for the UAE: trade licence, owner IDs, turnover declaration, bank details and EmaraTax file rules, by entity type. 7 min read Read Tax & Accounting UAE Corporate Tax Registration Guide Who must register for UAE corporate tax, EmaraTax steps, documents, deadline matrix by company type and the AED 10,000 penalty - plus the active waiver rule. 6 min read Read Tax & Accounting UAE VAT Registration Guide: Thresholds, Documents and Steps Who must register for VAT in the UAE, the AED 375,000 mandatory and AED 187,500 voluntary thresholds, required documents and the EmaraTax process, step by step. 5 min read Read A stack of hardbound ledgers with reading glasses resting on top, lit by a desk lamp, city lights in the window behind Tax & Accounting UAE Corporate Tax Explained: Rates, Thresholds and Who Must Register Plain-English guide to UAE corporate tax: the 9% rate, AED 375,000 threshold, free zone qualifying income, Small Business Relief, registration duty and deadlines. 4 min read Read Business Setup UAE Free Zone Comparison Table: Costs, Visas and Best Use Cases Side-by-side UAE free zone comparison: indicative licence costs, visa quotas, office options and best-fit activities for 12 popular zones, updated for 2026. 5 min read Read Costs & Offers The Cheapest Free Zones in the UAE: What Low-Cost Licences Really Include The cheapest free zone licence in the UAE starts at AED 3,999 on published prices (Fujairah Creative City). Budget zones ranked, what the headline excludes, and… 7 min read Read Business Setup Mainland vs Free Zone vs Offshore in the UAE: How to Choose the Right Structure How to choose between UAE Mainland, Free Zone and Offshore: market access, visas, banking, corporate tax, costs and use cases, with a practical decision matrix. 6 min read Read Costs & Offers How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a Company in Dubai? A realistic 2026 breakdown of Dubai company setup costs: licence, visas, office, banking and hidden fees for Free Zone, Mainland and Offshore, with indicative ranges. 6 min read Read Coworking space operator giving a tour in a modern Dubai workspace Business Ideas How to Start a Co Working Business in Dubai A practical operator guide to starting a coworking or shared workspace business in Dubai, covering licence, premises, fit-out and occupancy risk. 4 min read Read Taxi business operator reviewing a small vehicle fleet in Dubai Business Ideas How to Start a Taxi Business in Dubai A practical guide to starting a taxi or limousine transport business in Dubai, covering RTA-regulated transport activity and founder fit. 4 min read Read Laundry shop owner folding clean shirts beside commercial machines in Dubai Business Ideas How to Start a Laundry Business in Dubai A practical guide to starting a laundry business in Dubai, covering shop, central laundry, dry cleaning, premises and operating requirements. 4 min read Read Cleaning business founder organizing staff and supplies in Dubai Business Ideas How to Start a Cleaning Business in Dubai A practical owner-focused guide to starting a cleaning business in Dubai, covering residential, commercial, staff and operating scope. 4 min read Read Car wash business owner supervising a vehicle wash in Dubai Business Ideas How to Start a Car Wash Business in Dubai A practical guide to starting a car wash business in Dubai, covering fixed, mobile and parking-based models, approvals and operating risks. 4 min read Read Beauty salon owner speaking with a client in a modern Dubai salon Business Ideas How to Start a Beauty Salon Business in Dubai A practical owner-focused guide to starting a beauty salon business in Dubai, covering salon model, premises, approvals, staff and setup risks. 4 min read Read Can a UAE free zone company hire employees Hiring & Payroll Can a UAE Free Zone Company Hire Employees? Learn how UAE free zone companies can hire employees. Check visa quota, office package, work permits, payroll, WPS, banking and free zone hiring rules before making… 15 min read Read How to hire your first employee in Dubai as a new company Hiring & Payroll How to Hire Your First Employee in Dubai as a New Company Learn how to hire your first employee in Dubai. Check licence, activity, visa route, work permit, bank account, WPS and payroll before making an offer. 11 min read Read Grocery store owner arranging fresh produce in a Dubai neighborhood shop Business Ideas How to Start a Grocery Store Business in Dubai A practical guide to starting a grocery store business in Dubai, covering supermarket model, food retail, premises, approvals and setup scope. 4 min read Read Bakery owner arranging fresh pastries in a Dubai artisan bakery Business Ideas How to Start a Bakery Business in Dubai A practical guide to starting a bakery business in Dubai, covering storefront, production, home-style models, approvals and setup decisions. 4 min read Read Cloud kitchen founder checking delivery orders in a professional Dubai kitchen Business Ideas How to Start a Cloud Kitchen in Dubai A practical guide to starting a cloud kitchen in Dubai, covering delivery-only model, kitchen options, aggregator strategy and approvals. 4 min read Read Food truck founder serving customers at an outdoor Dubai market Business Ideas How to Start a Food Truck Business in Dubai A practical guide to starting a food truck business in Dubai, covering mobile food model, location permits, approvals and operating constraints. 4 min read Read Restaurant owner welcoming guests in a modern Dubai dining room Business Ideas How to Start a Restaurant Business in Dubai A practical guide to starting a restaurant business in Dubai, covering dine-in model, premises, approvals, fit-out and setup decisions. 4 min read Read Coffee shop founder and barista serving customers in a modern Dubai cafe Business Ideas How to Start a Coffee Shop Business in Dubai A practical guide to starting a coffee shop business in Dubai, covering cafe model, licence logic, premises, approvals and setup risks. 5 min read Read Founders comparing business ideas in a Dubai co-working lounge Business Ideas Best Businesses to Start in Dubai: Ideas by Category A sector-by-sector guide to the best businesses to start in Dubai, with practical fit checks for founders before choosing a setup route. 5 min read Read Founder preparing a UAE business setup request on a tablet with planning cards Consultant Selection How to Write a Business Setup Request (Get Comparable Offers) A practical guide to what to include in a UAE business setup request so consultants can give clearer, more useful responses. 5 min read Read Founder planning a UAE relocation through company setup from a half-packed apartment Relocation Relocate to Dubai Through Company Setup: The Full Guide A practical founder guide to relocating to the UAE through company setup, covering company formation, residence steps, banking and family timing. 7 min read Read Founder arranging physical components that represent Dubai business setup cost factors Costs & Offers Business Setup Cost in Dubai: Full Breakdown (2026) A practical guide to the cost factors behind Dubai business setup, including jurisdiction, activity, office, visas, scope and exclusions. 6 min read Read Founder reviewing a shortlist of business setup consultants in a boutique advisory studio Consultant Selection Business Setup Consultant in Dubai: How to Choose (Full Guide) A practical guide to choosing a Dubai business setup consultant by scope, transparency, activity knowledge, red flags and offer quality. 7 min read Read Founder and advisor reviewing business activity risk factors for UAE banking Banking High Risk Business Activities in UAE Banking and What Founders Should Prepare A practical explanation of high risk business activities in UAE banking and how founders can reduce compliance friction during account opening. 4 min read Read Founders and advisor reviewing compliance gaps after UAE company setup Tax & Accounting Compliance Mistakes UAE Founders Commonly Make After Company Setup A practical guide to common compliance mistakes after UAE company setup, including accounting, VAT, renewal, banking and ownership record issues. 5 min read Read Business owner checking annual renewal dates on a planner Business Setup Annual Renewal Obligations UAE Companies Should Track Before Expiry A practical guide to annual renewal obligations for UAE companies, including licence, lease, approvals, visas, accounting and tax records. 5 min read Read Founder reviewing invoice records while learning VAT basics for a UAE business Tax & Accounting VAT Basics New UAE Businesses Should Understand Before Invoicing at Scale A practical VAT basics guide for new UAE businesses covering thresholds, registration, records, invoices and how VAT differs from corporate tax. 5 min read Read UAE company accounting records being organised into document stacks Tax & Accounting Accounting Records UAE Companies Should Keep After Setup A practical guide to accounting requirements for UAE companies, including records, financial statements, audit triggers and corporate tax support. 6 min read Read Small business owner reviewing compliance records in a back office Tax & Accounting Ongoing Compliance UAE Small Businesses Should Keep Under Control A practical guide to ongoing compliance for small UAE businesses, covering accounting, VAT, tax, licence renewal, ownership records and documents. 5 min read Read Founder planning the next steps after UAE company registration in a new office Business Setup After UAE Company Registration: What Founders Need to Do Next A practical post-registration guide for UAE companies covering documents, banking, accounting, VAT, corporate tax, visas and annual renewal. 6 min read Read Founders organising relocation documents before moving to the UAE Relocation Founder Relocation Documents for the UAE: Business, Visa and Personal Files A practical UAE founder relocation document checklist covering company setup, residence visa, Emirates ID, address, family and banking files. 5 min read Read Founder and consultant preparing a UAE free zone application file Business Setup Free Zone Application Documents UAE Founders Should Prepare A practical free zone application document checklist for UAE founders, covering shareholders, activities, facility choices and corporate owners. 4 min read Read New UAE company documents being organised into post-registration folders Business Setup Post-Registration Documents New UAE Companies Should Organise First A practical post-registration document checklist for new UAE companies covering licences, visas, banking, tax, accounting and operational files. 4 min read Read Business partners reviewing shareholder documents for UAE company formation Business Setup Shareholder Documents UAE Founders Need Before Company Formation A practical shareholder document checklist for UAE company formation, covering individual founders, corporate shareholders, signatories and UBO files. 5 min read Read Founder reviewing UAE residence visa setup documents beside a travel folder Visas & Residency Residence Visa Setup Documents UAE Founders Should Prepare After Company Formation A practical checklist of UAE residence visa setup documents for company owners, including personal papers, company documents and Emirates ID steps. 5 min read Read Founder preparing Dubai company formation documents in a bright document studio Business Setup Company Formation Documents in Dubai: What Founders Should Prepare First A practical checklist of documents required for company formation in Dubai, with mainland, free zone, shareholder and post-registration differences explained. 5 min read Read Founder reviewing company address proof at a serviced office reception Banking Proof of Address Requirements for UAE Corporate Bank Accounts Guide to proof of address requirements for UAE corporate bank accounts, including company address, shareholder address and common document issues. 5 min read Read Founder and finance advisor reviewing a source of funds evidence trail Banking Source of Funds Documents for UAE Corporate Banking Cases Understand source of funds documents for UAE corporate banking, how banks review money origin and what evidence founders can prepare. 5 min read Read Organised corporate banking documents arranged on a premium office desk Banking Documents Required to Open a UAE Corporate Bank Account Checklist of documents UAE banks commonly request for corporate bank account opening, including company papers, UBO, KYC, address and funds evidence. 5 min read Read Advisor and founders reviewing UAE corporate bank account documents in a modern meeting room Banking How to Open a Company Bank Account in the UAE: Steps and Costs What a UAE bank asks a company for, in the order it asks, why applications are refused, and the published cost of an account at twelve… 8 min read Read United Arab Emirates passport resting on a hard-shell suitcase Visas & Residency Lost Emirates ID in the UAE, Replacement, Fees and What to Do Report the loss to ICP within seven days. That deadline is the only hard rule on this page and it is the one most articles bury.… 3 min read Read Man's face inside a scanning frame with facial recognition points mapped across it Visas & Residency Emirates ID Biometrics in the UAE, Fingerprint Process and What to Expect Biometrics is the fingerprint and photograph capture step in an Emirates ID application. It is done in person at an ICP customer happiness centre, after the… 3 min read Read Two people in Emirati dress working on laptops in a meeting room seen through a glass wall Visas & Residency Emirates ID Renewal in the UAE, Requirements, Form and Online Process If your Emirates ID is close to expiry, one of the smartest things you can do is renew it before the process becomes urgent. Many users… 7 min read Read Woman in business dress unlocking a smartphone with facial recognition Business Setup How to Start a Business in Dubai as a Foreigner (Full Guide) Dubai is one of the most popular places in the world for foreigners to start a business – you can own 100% of a company in… 5 min read Read

No guides match that search. Clear the box to see the full library, or press Search to look across the whole site.