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Have a question about our business formation guides, cost estimators, or the information published on The Dubai Setup? We welcome your feedback. Accuracy and editorial independence are our top priorities, and your input helps us maintain the most reliable company formation resource for the Gulf region.

Email Us

The most effective way to reach us is by email:

contact@thedubaisetup.com

We aim to respond to all enquiries within 48 working hours. Messages received over weekends or public holidays will be addressed on the next working day.

When to Contact Us

• Data corrections: if you notice an incorrect government fee, outdated regulation, or inaccurate free zone information, please let us know with the specific page URL and your source reference.
• Regulatory updates: if a country has amended its company law, free zone regulations, tax rules, or visa requirements and our content does not yet reflect these changes.
• Content suggestions: if you would like us to cover a specific free zone, business activity type, or formation route that is not yet included in our guides.
• Methodology questions: if you have questions about how our cost estimates are compiled or how we evaluate different formation options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you a business setup company?

No. The Dubai Setup is an independent informational resource. We are not a business setup company, consultancy, or service provider. We do not sell formation packages, process applications, or act as intermediaries. Our role is purely informational: we provide research-based guides to help you understand your options. For formation services, engage directly with the relevant government authority or a licensed business setup professional.

Is my data collected when I use your cost estimators?

No. All calculations and estimates are performed entirely in your browser. No business, financial, or personal data entered into our tools is transmitted to any server. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Can you recommend a business setup company or PRO?

No. The Dubai Setup maintains strict editorial independence and does not recommend specific service providers. Our guides are designed to give you the knowledge to evaluate providers yourself, ask informed questions, and make decisions based on your specific needs rather than sales presentations.

Do you accept sponsored content?

No. We do not accept payment from business setup companies, free zones, or government authorities in exchange for favourable coverage. Our content is editorially independent. For more details on our editorial standards, visit our About page.

Disclaimer

The Dubai Setup does not provide personalised legal, tax, or business advice. The information, guides, and cost estimates on this site are provided for general informational purposes only. Business regulations in the Gulf are evolving rapidly, and specific requirements for your business may differ from the general descriptions in our guides. For decisions involving significant financial commitments, engage a qualified legal advisor, tax consultant, or licensed business setup professional with expertise in the specific country and jurisdiction you are targeting.

What to Expect When Reaching Out

When you contact us with a data correction or regulatory update, we follow a structured verification process. First, we review the specific claim against the primary government source (the relevant authority's published fee schedule, legislation, or official portal). Second, we cross-reference the information with at least one additional source where possible. Third, if the correction is confirmed, we update the relevant page within two working weeks and note the update date. We will reply to your email confirming whether the correction has been accepted and, if so, when the update will go live.

For content suggestions,such as requests to cover a specific free zone, business activity type, or formation route,we evaluate each suggestion based on its relevance to our audience, the availability of reliable source data, and our editorial capacity. We cannot guarantee that every suggestion will result in new content, but we seriously consider all proposals and will let you know our decision.

Common Questions About Gulf Business Setup

How much does it cost to set up a business in the UAE?

Costs vary dramatically depending on whether you choose a mainland or free zone structure. Basic free zone packages start from approximately AED 5 750 (~€1 438) per year in budget zones like IFZA or Sharjah Media City (SHAMS). Mainland LLC formation in Dubai typically costs AED 12 000-25 000 (~€3 000-€6 250) in the first year for the trade license and registration fees alone. When you add office space (AED 6 000-80 000+ (~€1 500-€20 000+) per year), visa processing (AED 3 000-7 000 (~€750-€1 750) per person), health insurance, PRO services, and bank account requirements, total first-year costs range from AED 15 000 (~€3 750) for the most basic free zone setup to AED 120 000+ (~€30 000+) for a mainland company with physical office space. Our UAE Costs Guide provides a detailed breakdown, and our Setup Cost Estimator can model your specific scenario.

How long does it take to start a business in the Gulf?

Timelines vary widely by country and formation route. In the UAE, free zone companies can be incorporated in as little as 3-5 working days, while mainland LLCs typically take 2-4 weeks. In Saudi Arabia, the MISA licensing process adds 2-4 weeks before you can proceed with Commercial Registration and other formalities, bringing the total timeline to 6-12 weeks. In Qatar, QFC registration takes 2-4 weeks, mainland formation takes 3-6 weeks, and Qatar Free Zone registration takes 2-4 weeks. In all three countries, add 2-4 weeks for bank account opening and 2-4 weeks for visa processing. Our step-by-step guides for the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar provide detailed timelines for each stage.

Which Gulf country is cheapest to set up a business?

The UAE generally offers the lowest entry-level costs, particularly through its budget free zones. A basic company with a single visa can be set up for as little as AED 15 000-20 000 (~€3 750-€5 000) in the first year. Qatar falls in the middle range, with QFC entities starting at approximately USD 15 000 in the first year and mainland WLLs from QAR 50 000 (~€12 987). Saudi Arabia tends to be the most expensive for foreign investors due to the MISA licensing requirement, mandatory GOSI social insurance contributions (12% of Saudi employee salaries), 15% VAT on operating costs, and Saudization compliance costs. However, the cheapest setup is not necessarily the best,factors such as market size, client proximity, regulatory environment, and long-term operating costs should weigh heavily in your decision.

Do I need to be physically present in the Gulf to set up a company?

In many cases, you can initiate the formation process remotely. The UAE allows much of the free zone registration process to be completed online or through a PRO acting on your behalf. However, you will eventually need to be physically present for certain steps: visa processing requires biometric registration (Emirates ID in the UAE, Iqama in Saudi Arabia, Qatar ID in Qatar), bank account opening often requires an in-person interview, and some document signings require notarization in person. Saudi Arabia's MISA portal allows remote application, but a physical presence in the Kingdom is needed for CR collection, bank meetings, and Iqama processing. Qatar's QFC offers a largely digital application process, though a visit is recommended for banking and residency formalities.

How do I choose between a mainland and a free zone company?

The decision depends primarily on your target market. If your clients are within the Gulf country (local consumers, businesses, or government entities), a mainland company provides unrestricted market access. If your business is primarily international or export-oriented, a free zone may offer tax advantages and lower costs without the market access limitation being relevant. Other factors include cost (free zones are generally cheaper), speed of incorporation (free zones are faster), visa quotas, and tax treatment. Our comparison guides for UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar provide detailed, neutral analysis to help you decide.

What ongoing compliance obligations will I have?

All Gulf businesses face annual compliance requirements. In the UAE, these include trade license renewal, corporate tax registration and filing (9% rate, through the Federal Tax Authority), VAT filing (if applicable), Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) notification, and Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) reporting. In Saudi Arabia, annual obligations include CR renewal, ZATCA tax and Zakat filing (20% CIT on foreign-owned profits or 2.5% Zakat for Saudi-owned shares), VAT returns (15%), GOSI contributions, and Saudization reporting through Qiwa. In Qatar, obligations include license renewal, corporate tax filing with the General Tax Authority (10% rate), and any sector-specific regulatory filings. Our country-specific tax guides provide detailed compliance calendars and penalty information.

About the Author

The Dubai Setup is founded and maintained by Mottalib Radif, MBA INSEAD. For more details about our methodology, editorial independence, and data sources, visit our About page.