What it actually costs to start a consultancy in Dubai

Updated June 2026 · 4 min read

Consultancies are one of the most common free zone setups, largely because they're low-overhead and don't require physical retail or warehouse space — which keeps the all-in cost lower than most other business types.

What's included in the license fee

The license fee itself typically covers your trade license for one year, a registered address (flexi-desk), and the ability to add activities under your license. It does not include your visa, Emirates ID, or medical test — those are added separately and make up the difference between the "zero-visa" and "one-visa" costs above.

Renewal costs

Ongoing costs matter as much as setup costs. Most free zone licenses renew annually at a similar or slightly higher rate to the original setup fee. Budget for that recurring cost rather than treating year one as the full picture. A AED 20,000 first-year setup often becomes AED 15,000–18,000 per year from year two onwards.

What catches first-time founders off guard

Opening a UAE business bank account can take several weeks and increasingly requires you to show real business activity or contracts — not just a license. Some banks ask for proof of invoices, client contracts, or website presence before approving an account. Factor in 4–8 weeks for banking and don't plan to start invoicing clients the week you get your license.

If you'll need to invoice UAE-based clients directly, check whether your free zone offers a dual license for limited mainland trading. Adding it later usually costs more than including it at setup.

Hiring beyond yourself

Visa costs scale per employee. Adding a second person typically costs AED 5,000–8,000 in visa and ID fees on top of their salary. A three-person consultancy costs meaningfully more to set up than a solo operation, so plan headcount carefully before choosing your initial visa allocation.