Trading, e-commerce, consultancy, a restaurant, a tech company — the licence, the best jurisdiction and the cost all depend on what you actually do. Here's how setup works for each activity, and how we handle it end to end.
Pick what your business does — we'll match it to the right licence and the cheapest compliant base.

One licence to import, export and trade a wide range of goods across the UAE and worldwide.

Sell physical or digital products online across the UAE and worldwide with the right e-commerce licence.

A professional licence for advisers and experts to turn solo work into a proper company.

Open a dine-in restaurant, café or bakery with a mainland trade licence and Municipality food approvals.

A delivery-only food business cooking from a shared or dedicated kitchen and selling through the delivery apps.

One licence to build and sell software, SaaS and IT services — 100% owned, no stock, quick to set up remotely.

A mainland brokerage licence with RERA registration to broker property in the UAE market.

Bring goods into the UAE and ship them out or re-export, using the country as a trade and logistics hub.

A professional licence to run a social, digital, branding, PR or advertising agency across the UAE.

A mainland trade licence plus Municipality health approvals to run a beauty salon, spa or barbershop from a physical premises.

The leanest, cheapest route to working legally in the UAE as a one-person independent professional.

An industrial licence to make, assemble and process goods in the UAE — with the land, plant and approvals it takes to run a factory.
Where each activity is usually best based, and what setup typically starts from — exact cost is quoted to your plan.
| Activity | Usual base | Setup from |
|---|---|---|
| General Trading | Free zone or mainland | from AED 12,900 |
| E-commerce | Free zone | from AED 6,000 |
| Consultancy | Free zone or mainland | from AED 5,750 |
| Restaurant | Mainland | from AED 20,000 |
| Cloud Kitchen | Mainland | from AED 15,000 |
| IT & Technology | Free zone | from AED 5,750 |
| Real Estate Brokerage | Mainland | from AED 15,000 |
| Import & Export | Free zone | from AED 12,900 |
| Marketing Agency | Free zone or mainland | from AED 5,750 |
| Salon & Beauty | Mainland | from AED 20,000 |
| Freelance | Free zone | from AED 5,750 |
| Manufacturing | Industrial free zone or mainland | from AED 20,000 |
Ask AgentBiz — with your situation in mind — or talk to a human advisor. Real requirements, honest guidance, no obligation.