Use this free tool to estimate your Dubai business licence cost in a few simple steps
Dubai: If you are planning to set up a business in Dubai but are still in the early stages and unsure about how much you may need to invest in obtaining a business licence, there is a free tool available to help you estimate the cost.
The Business Cost Calculator is a service provided by Invest in Dubai, which is operated by the Dubai Economy and Tourism Department (DET). However, before you get started, it’s important to have a clear idea of the type of business you wish to establish and how many partners you intend to have in your company.
Once you have these details in mind, follow the steps below to estimate the cost of your business licence:
Visit invest.dubai.ae and click on the ‘Calculate Business Set Up Cost’ option.
Provide a few basic details about your business idea. As you begin entering the type of business you want to start, a drop-down menu will appear, showing you all the business licence types available under DET.
Make sure to select one of these options to proceed with the cost calculation.
Next, enter the number of business partners, including yourself. Then, select the nationality of the partner(s) from the three available options: UAE nationals, GCC nationals, or Expatriates.
Click ‘Next’. The system will then display the possible legal structures in which you can set up your company. Choose the one that best suits your needs.
Once you have entered all the required details, the calculator will show you all the available business licence options and the cost for each.
In some cases, you may be prompted to enter the rental amount for your business location before the estimated licence cost can be generated. This is because five per cent of the rent is factored into the business licence fee. This requirement does not apply if you opt for a virtual licence, which does not require a physical office space.
The quoted licence cost covers a period of one year, and the same amount will be payable upon renewal annually.
It’s also important to note that this figure reflects only the cost of the business licence. It does not include the full set-up costs, which may also cover visa fees, rent, utility services, and other operational expenses.
Sign up for the Daily Briefing
Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox