Dubai business knowledge base

Straight answers on setting up in the UAE

No fluff, no jargon. Every guide answers the question in the first line, then shows you the steps, the paperwork and the real cost. Written by the team that files these every day.

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Costs and Budgeting

PRO Services Cost in the UAE: What You Are Actually Paying For

What PRO services cost in the UAE, how the pricing models differ, and how to tell a genuine service fee from a marked-up government fee.

Ali Jasim··10 min read
Government Services and Portals

UAE Pass: What It Is, How to Register, and Everything It Unlocks

UAE Pass is the national digital identity. What a verified account gives you, how to register and verify it, and why businesses should care.

Ali Jasim··10 min read
Government Services and Portals

Tasheel and Tawjeeh Explained: What Each One Actually Does

Tasheel handles work permits and labour contracts. Tawjeeh handles the worker awareness session. What each one does, and where each fits in a hire.

Ali Jasim··10 min read
Company Formation

The 10 Best Business Setup Consultants in Dubai (2026), Ranked Honestly

Dubai has hundreds of setup consultancies. Here are the ten worth your shortlist in 2026, what each is known for, and the questions that separate a good one from an expensive mistake.

Ali Jasim··5 min read
Company Formation

How to Start a Business in Dubai in 2026: The Full Step-by-Step Guide

The complete 2026 walkthrough: choose a structure, pick activities, reserve a name, get approvals, and open your bank account, with realistic timelines and costs.

Ali Jasim··9 min read
Visas and Residency

UAE Employment Visa: The Full Process, Cost and Timeline

The full employment visa process for 2026, from offer letter to Emirates ID, with realistic timelines and what actually drives the cost.

Ali Jasim··10 min read
Costs and Budgeting

How Much Does a Free Zone Company Cost in Dubai in 2026

What a Dubai free zone company really costs in 2026: the licence, the desk or office, visas, and the fees packages leave off the headline price.

Ali Jasim··11 min read
Free Zones

Which Free Zone Is Best in Dubai? A 2026 Decision Guide by Business Type

There is no single best free zone. This guide matches business type to zone: trading, consulting, media, holding and industrial, side by side.

Ali Jasim··11 min read
Banking and Finance

How to Open a Corporate Bank Account in the UAE Without Getting Stuck

A practical, step-by-step path to a UAE corporate bank account: what banks check for, the paperwork, and how to avoid the delays that trap new companies.

Ali Jasim··10 min read
Industry Playbooks

How to Start an E-commerce Business in Dubai

The right licence, jurisdiction and approvals for a Dubai online store, plus the cost drivers and mistakes that trip up new sellers.

Ali Jasim··11 min read
Free Zones

Free Zone or Mainland in Dubai: Which One Actually Costs You Less?

The honest cost comparison. Where a free zone wins, where mainland is cheaper than people think, and the hidden fees that flip the maths.

Ali Jasim··6 min read
Corporate Tax and VAT

UAE VAT Registration: When You Must, When You Can, and How

The full rule set: the AED 375,000 mandatory line, the AED 187,500 voluntary line, what counts toward each, and the EmaraTax steps to register.

Ali Jasim··10 min read
Stop reading, start pricing

Know your exact setup cost

Guides give you the lay of the land. The calculator gives you your number, itemised to the fils, from our real price book.