At Dubiz, we understand the complexities & challenges of establishing a business in UAE’s evolving landscape. Our suite of expert business setup services is specially designed to support your venture at every stage, from inception to expansion.

Low-Cost Business Setup in Dubai, UAE

Dubai is a city full of joy and opportunities. Whether it is the rich culture, modern infrastructure, or thriving economy, Dubai has something for everyone, including entrepreneurs. The UAE government has made it extremely easy for foreign investors to start and grow businesses here, making low-cost business setup in Dubai available to entrepreneurs worldwide.

There are vast range of opportunities and activities available for low capital investment businesses in Dubai. Freelancing, consultancy, event management and digital marketing services are some of the profitable ideas that require low capital investment.

At Dubiz Business Setup, our goal is to make business setup in Dubai not only fast and simple but also affordable for ambitious entrepreneurs from different parts of the world. Starting and growing a business in Dubai is a dream for many, and we are here to make it happen for you.

UAE: An Ideal Location for Low-Cost Business

UAE: An Ideal Location for Low-Cost Business

When you think of the UAE, luxury may come to mind, right? But that does not mean starting a business in this luxurious space has to be heavy on pockets. In fact, UAE has a soft spot for budding entrepreneurs and low-cost startups.

Here’s why UAE is best destination for affordable business setups:

Tax savings:

One of the biggest advantages of starting a business in UAE is low taxes. Foreign entrepreneurs in UAE can benefit from savings on corporate taxes, income tax, and VAT.

Easy business:

UAE is known to be a place where businesses can be started easily without facing much administrative hassles.

Strategic location:

The UAE's prime location between Europe, Asia, and Africa provides a platform for SMEs and startups to access vast markets and clients globally.

Freezones:

The UAE’s free zones treat startups as a priority, offering world-class infrastructure, full ownership, and a host of incentives designed to support them in every way.

Pro-business government:

The extensive government support like SME programs, incentives, low-cost licenses, affordable office spaces, and support services help businesses with tight budgets succeed.

Developed communities:

The well-developed business community of the nation offers networking and exposure, helping new small ventures build connections and grow.

Low-cost business setup in Dubai offers a unique blend of affordability, opportunity, and growth potential!

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Six Simple Steps to Low-Cost Business Setup in Dubai

With mindful budgeting and strategic thinking, you can launch your venture in Dubai while saving on costs. With Dubiz Business Setup, you just need to navigate through six steps to establish your presence in Dubai’s thriving markets.

Here is a simplified process for low-cost business setup in Dubai:

Identify your business focus

Identify your business focus

The first step is to choose your business activity. The Dubai Economic Department (DED) offers 2000+ business activities. Some low-cost business ideas include digital marketing, tourism activities, real estate management, business consultancy, and more. Do not forget to conduct proper market research to find out the scope and target market for your business.

Choose your business location

Choose your business location

Next, decide between a mainland or free zone business setup. Selecting the right jurisdiction can save you a lot of money. Some free zones cater specifically to certain sectors and business activities, where you can get the cheapest trade licenses in UAE along with 100% ownership of your business. Mainland might be a better choice if you aim to target the entire UAE market, and you can find affordable options there too.

Finalize a trade name

Finalize a trade name

Next step includes choosing a unique trade name for your business and getting it registered with the relevant authorities. The name should be simple, decent, and must follow the UAE government's naming guidelines.

Obtain necessary approvals

Obtain necessary approvals

Before proceeding with your license application, you must obtain initial approval from the DED or the respective free zone authority. This confirms that the government has no objections to your business. Keep in mind that some business operations may require additional approvals from other government bodies like Dubai Municipality, Ministries, or specific departments.

Secure your business license

Secure your business license

Now comes the exciting part; applying for your business license! Gather the necessary documents and submit your application to the DED (for mainland) or the relevant free zone authority. You will also need to pay the license application fees.

Get visas and a bank account

Get visas and a bank account

After obtaining your UAE trade license, apply for visas for yourself and your employees, as necessary. You can also sponsor residency for your dependents after securing your business visa. Finally, open a business bank account to manage your financial affairs and to facilitate payments and receipts for your business.

Top 10 Low Investment Businesses in Dubai for Beginners

Interested in low-cost business setup in UAE? There are many industries in UAE that offer the opportunity to start business with less money.

Check the top 10 business ideas that are both profitable and require minimal capital in UAE:

Drop shipping/e-commerce business

Drop shipping/e-commerce business

Dropshipping and e-commerce are among the most affordable and profitable business ideas in Dubai and the UAE. The industry is thriving, with UAE e-commerce expected to reach USD 17 billion by 2025. You can start selling products online with e-commerce license without the need to invest in a physical store.

Read more
Consultancy business

Consultancy business

Starting a consultancy business is yet another promising low-cost business setup in Dubai. Whether it is for education, finance, tax, or business consulting, the demand for such services is always high. You will need proper qualifications to offer advice, and you can begin your practice with minimal costs.

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Digital marketing agencies

Digital marketing agencies

You can run a digital marketing agency remotely with your skills and low costs. The sector in UAE is poised to grow at a rate of 12.5% between 2024 to 2032. As the number of businesses in Dubai continue to grow, so does the demand for digital marketing services such as content creation, website development, and more.

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Travel agency

Travel agency

Who does not love a trip to Dubai? The city is a tourist favourite, with 8.68 tourists visiting in first 5 months of 2025. This makes a travel and tourism business profitable business idea in Dubai. With minimal investment, you can start reaping profits quickly.

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Real estate management

Real estate management

Dubai, the wealthiest city in the Middle East, is a prime hub for real estate investments. Investors from around the world pour money into distinct types of properties here, while others are seeking diverse real estate services. Managing these luxurious properties can be a lucrative business such as property brokerage, Airbnb, vacation rentals, etc.

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Cleaning service business

Cleaning service business

Cleaning services are in high demand in Dubai, given the fast-paced lifestyle. You can tap into this lucrative, low-investment business by offering cleaning services to residential, institutional, and commercial clients. Business success will depend on your professionalism, quality of service, and superior customer experience.

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Freelancing

Freelancing

Breaking away from traditional job models, freelancing is an affordable and flexible business setup in the UAE. If you are skilled in areas like marketing, tech, design, or other field, you can start offering your services as a freelancer in UAE. You will benefit from minimal paperwork and setup costs, and there is no need to be tied to a company.

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Event management

Event management

Establishing an event management company in the UAE is a great idea which lets you enjoy the flexibility of managing a wide range of events—from birthdays to corporate gatherings. It is a low-cost business setup in Dubai that requires creativity, a network of suppliers, and strong organizational skills to succeed.

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Cloud kitchens

Cloud kitchens

If you are passionate about food, a lucrative yet low-cost business setup in Dubai is a cloud kitchen. You do not need to invest in physical dining space or infrastructure. Instead, your focus would be on delivering delicious meals directly to customers’ doorsteps.

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Ed-tech platforms

Ed-tech platforms

Another option for low-cost business setup in Dubai is starting an ed-tech platform, where you can provide high-quality educational services remotely to a large student base. You will need a team of talented educators and a user-friendly, efficient platform to ensure success.

Learn more

What Is The Cost of Starting Small Business in Dubai?

A low-cost business license in Dubai freezone will start at price of AED 5,999*. In mainland Dubai, you can get it for as low as AED 17,900*. However, the best affordable license in UAE for you will depend on your business operations, your location, visa requirements and other things.

Dubiz offers exclusive packages for low-cost business setup in Dubai:

Freezone business setup package:

From: 5,999*

Includes:

  • General trading license
  • Up to 9 activities
  • Up to 5 shareholders
  • 1 free VAT and tax consultation session
Inquire

Mainland business setup package:

From: AED 17,900*

Includes:

  • Professional license
  • Business registration
  • Investor visa
  • Initial approval
  • PRO and VAT assistance
Inquire

Factors Influencing Cost of Dubai Business Formation

There are many factors that determine the overall cost of business setup in Dubai, such as:

Business jurisdiction:

Costs depends on where business is being set up: freezone, offshore or mainland.

Legal structure:

Setup price varies for various business structures like sole establishment, LLC, branch, etc.

Type of license:

There are different prices for commercial license, professional license and industrial license.

Size of office:

Renting out physical office space, its size, amenities, or choosing virtual office, will all affect costs.

Visa costs:

How many visas you need, the type of visas you are applying for, along with other immigration costs.

Approval fees:

This includes the initial approval fees along with fees of any special permits as may be needed for business.

These factors with help you better understand how to reduce your business setup costs in Dubai.

Tips to Reduce Business Setup Costs in Dubai

Here are some useful strategies on how to keep the cost of business setup in Dubai low:

Optimize office space:

If your business does not require a large office space, you can consider a small space. Infact, for many business license options you get to operate through flexi desks which are shared office spaces. This will help you save on rental costs, and you can benefit from shared amenities too.

Outsource non-core tasks:

Don’t try to be the jack of all. Then, you will be master of none. Focus on your core operations while you delegate other functions to freelancers or agencies. That way, you can save your valuable time, efforts, resources, and staffing overheads.

Utilize government incentives:

UAE government often provides incentives, grants and programs to support entrepreneurs and startups. For example, there is a program called Dubai SME program, which offers benefits for small businesses. Make sure to check them out.

Work with experts:

Streamlining your business setup and administrative processes helps you reduce cost to great extent. For that it is best to work with professional business setup consultants who make sure your business formation and documentation is as per UAE law, reducing chance of errors and penalties.

Reduce visa applications:

To reduce the upfront expenses, you must apply for only necessary visas. Avoid applying for multiple or unnecessary visas, as each one comes with costs and paperwork.

Negotiate with vendors:

When it comes to securing utilities for your business, or other things, you can always try to negotiate favourable terms with the suppliers and service providers.

How Dubiz Helps with Low-Cost Business Setup in UAE?

Starting a business in Dubai and the UAE may seem expensive at first. However, with the right choices and guidance, it can be quite affordable. With a small start, you can grow big in the nation of opportunities. Looking for cheap business setup in Dubai? Do not worry! We have got your back.

At Dubiz Business Setup, we specialize in guiding entrepreneurs through the process of starting a low-cost business setup in Dubai. We handle every aspect of business setup in Dubai and the UAE, including licensing, registration, trade name selection, visa processing, bank accounts, tax consulting, auditing, and compliance. Our digital marketing services are specifically designed to help your brand make a mark in the online world.

If you want a seamless and stress-free experience for company formation in the UAE, allow us to be your partners. The UAE offers promise and opportunities, and with Dubiz's support, you can make the most of it.

Why choose us:

  • 8+ years of industry experience
  • 4000+ successful stories
  • Multi-lingual expert team
  • In-house Tasheel center
  • Customized setup packages
  • Strong local government ties

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Some of the most popular freezones offering cheap business setup in UAE along with the starting price of business license include:

  • Ajman Media City (AMC): AED 4,999
  • Jebel Ali Freezone (JAFZA): AED 5,000
  • Sharjah Media City (SHAMS): AED 5,750
  • Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ): AED 6,000

You can minimize the cost of setting up a business in Dubai through certain initiatives, such as opting for flexi-shared desks and virtual addresses, which will save on rent costs. Make sure your business setup in Dubai is in accordance with UAE laws to avoid fines.

The UAE offers various grants and incentives for startups and SMEs, which you can benefit from. Finally, you can hire professional consultants to streamline the entire business setup process and save a lot of time and costs.

The cost for the cheapest business setup in UAE starts from around AED 4,999* - AED 5,999*. For you, the best price will be determined by the nature of your business, location decided, the visas needed and your specific circumstances.

Documents needed for business setup in Dubai include:

  • Completed license application form
  • Passport size photograph of shareholders
  • Photocopies of shareholder’s passports
  • Memorandum and Articles of Association
  • Bank reference letter
  • Trade name registration certificate
  • Detailed business plan
  • NOC from sponsor, if needed
  • Lease contract
  • Necessary approvals

The easiest low-cost business ideas in Dubai that will make you huge money include ed-tech, cloud kitchen, real estate brokerage, freelancing, consultancy, cleaning service, and more.