Whether you are planning to launch a startup, expand an existing business, or verify a company’s credentials before signing a contract, understanding the Dubai company register is the first step. Dubai offers three main business setup pathways – mainland, free zone, and offshore – each with its own registration authority, cost structure, and set of benefits.
This guide covers everything you need to know: how to register a company in Dubai, what each setup option involves, what it costs, and how to search the Dubai company register online.
- What is the Dubai company register?
- Business setup options in Dubai
- How to register a company in Dubai
- How to register an offshore company in Dubai
- How to register a company in a Dubai free zone
- Cost of registering a company in Dubai
- How to search the Dubai company register
- Key Takeaways
- FAQs
What is the Dubai company register?
Dubai does not have a single centralised company register. Instead, business licences and company records are managed by the relevant licensing authority depending on the type of setup:
- Mainland companies are registered with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
- Free zone companies are registered with their respective free zone authority — for example, DMCC, IFZA, or DIFC.
- Offshore companies registered in Dubai are administered by the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA).
At the federal level, the UAE’s Ministry of Economy and Tourism maintains the National Economic Register, which aggregates business licence data across all emirates. The UAE government also provides several online tools to verify business licences and search trade names.
Business setup options in Dubai
Before registering a company in Dubai, you need to choose the right setup type. Each option suits different business goals, ownership preferences, and operational needs.
Mainland companies
A mainland company operates under a licence issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. It can trade freely within the UAE, bid for government contracts, and operate across multiple locations without geographic restrictions. Following the UAE’s 2021 amendment to the Commercial Companies Law, most business activities allow 100% foreign ownership on the mainland, removing the historic requirement for a local Emirati sponsor.
Mainland companies suit businesses that want to serve the local UAE market directly, open retail outlets, or scale their operations across the country.
Free zone companies
Dubai has more than 30 free zones, each designed to support specific industries. Popular options include DMCC (commodities and trading), DIFC (financial services), Dubai South (logistics and aviation), JAFZA (trade and manufacturing), and IFZA (a broad range of activities suited to SMEs and startups).
Free zone companies offer 100% foreign ownership, zero personal income tax, full repatriation of profits, and streamlined setup processes. The trade-off is that direct trading with the UAE mainland requires working through a local distributor or obtaining a dual licence.
Offshore companies
An offshore company in Dubai is a legal entity that can hold assets, open UAE bank accounts, and conduct international business; but it cannot trade within the UAE or lease physical office space in the country. Dubai-specific offshore registration falls under JAFZA. Another widely used UAE offshore jurisdiction is RAK ICC (Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre), though this is in Ras Al Khaimah, not Dubai.
Offshore companies are well-suited to international investors seeking holding structures, asset protection, or efficient cross-border transaction vehicles.
How to register a company in Dubai
Mainland company registration is handled by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. The following steps are drawn from the official UAE government guide on u.ae (last updated April 2026).
- Identify your business activity. There are more than 2,000 activities to choose from in the UAE. The activity you select determines the type of licence you will need: either commercial, industrial, professional, or one of the other categories available in Dubai.
- Choose a legal form. Options include a limited liability company (LLC), a civil company (for professional services), a branch of a foreign company, or a sole establishment. The legal form must align with your intended business activity.
- Register your trade name. The trade name must be unique, must not include restricted words, and must reflect the nature of the business. You can reserve a name through the DET website, the Invest in Dubai portal, or the department’s mobile application.
- Obtain initial approval. This confirms the UAE government has no objection to your business being established. It does not authorise you to begin trading but allows you to proceed with the next steps.
- Sign the Memorandum of Association (MoA). This document outlines ownership structure and shareholder obligations. It must be notarised by a notary public or court in Dubai. Some business forms also require a local service agent agreement.
- Secure a business location. All mainland businesses must have a physical address. In Dubai, your lease agreement must be registered through Ejari, the official rental registration system managed by the Dubai Land Department.
- Obtain additional approvals (if required). Certain activities need sign-off from other regulatory bodies. Financial services require central bank approval; media and publishing activities need clearance from the National Media Council; healthcare businesses require Dubai Health Authority approval.
- Collect your trade licence. Once all documents are submitted and fees paid, you can collect your licence from DET service centres or online. Payment is due within 30 days of receiving the payment voucher.
You can also register your business digitally in under 15 minutes using Basher, the UAE’s integrated online business registration platform, which connects federal and local licensing authorities at basher.gov.ae.
If you’re deciding where in the city to base your business, explore commercial properties in Dubai to find office space that fits your activity, team size, and budget.
How to register an offshore company in Dubai
JAFZA is the only authority that issues offshore company registrations within Dubai. The process requires working with an approved registered agent; you cannot apply directly to JAFZA. Registration typically takes 5 to 7 working days.
- Choose a registered agent. All JAFZA offshore applications must go through an approved agent who handles submission on your behalf.
- Reserve your company name. Submit three name options in order of preference. Approval typically comes within 24 hours.
- Prepare your documents. Required documents include notarised passport copies of all shareholders and directors, recent proof of residential address (such as a utility bill or bank statement), and a bank reference letter.
- Submit the application and pay fees. Your registered agent handles the submission to JAFZA.
- Receive your Certificate of Incorporation. This is typically issued within 5 to 7 working days of a complete application.
Two compliance requirements apply immediately after incorporation: you must register your Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) structure with the relevant registry within 60 days and register with the Federal Tax Authority via EmaraTax within three months of incorporation.
How to register a company in a Dubai free zone
The registration process varies between free zones, but the general steps are consistent. Most free zones complete the process within 3 to 7 working days.
- Choose the right free zone. Each zone has a sector focus and its own fee structure. IFZA and Meydan are popular with SMEs and solo founders for their competitive pricing. DMCC suits commodities and trading. DIFC is tailored to financial services firms.
- Select your business activity and legal structure. Most free zones offer a Free Zone Limited Liability Company (FZ-LLC) as the standard legal structure. Some also offer branch registration and freelance permits.
- Reserve your trade name. Check name availability through the free zone authority’s portal and submit your preferred options.
- Submit your application and documents. Standard documents include passport copies and, for some zones, a business plan or proof of professional qualifications.
- Pay fees and receive your licence. IFZA typically processes applications in 3 to 5 working days; DMCC takes 7 to 10 working days. Once the licence is issued, you can proceed with visa applications, bank account opening, and office or flexi-desk arrangements.
Cost of registering a company in Dubai
The cost of registering a company in Dubai varies considerably depending on setup type, chosen free zone, business activity, office arrangement, and visa requirements. The figures below are approximate estimates based on market data for 2026. Always confirm current fees directly with the relevant authority before proceeding.
| Setup type | Licence fee (approx.) | Typical first-year total (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland (DET) | AED 10,000–25,000 | AED 40,000–80,000+ |
| Free zone (IFZA or Meydan) | From AED 12,500 | AED 25,000–30,000+ |
| Free zone (DIFC) | AED 50,000+ | Varies significantly |
| Offshore (JAFZA) | AED 10,100–18,900 in the first year | – |
| Offshore (RAK ICC) | AED 7,200–13,600 in the first year | – |
Additional cost components for mainland companies include the following:
| Cost component | Approximate fee |
|---|---|
| Initial approval | AED 235 |
| Trade name reservation | AED 735 |
| MoA notarisation | AED 1,500 to AED 3,200 |
| Chamber of Commerce membership | AED 1,200 |
| Dubai Municipality market fee | 5% of annual rent (capped at AED 20,000) |
Note: Renewal costs match the initial licence fee. There is no reduced rate for renewing an existing trade licence.
How to search the Dubai company register
The UAE government provides several official online tools to search business licences, verify company registration details, and check trade name availability. According to the UAE government’s u.ae portal (updated April 2026), the key platforms for a Dubai company register search are:
- Dubai business directory (Invest in Dubai): Search by business name or Dubai Unified Licence (DUL) number at invest Dubai.
- DET business name search: Search businesses registered with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism via eservices.dubaided.gov.ae.
- National Economic Register (Ministry of Economy and Tourism): The federal register at growth.gov.ae/g2c covers businesses across all UAE emirates.
- Invest in Dubai trade name check: Verify name availability and search existing registrations at Invest in Dubai.
These tools let you confirm whether a business is legitimately registered in Dubai, check which activities it is licensed for, and verify licence status before entering into a commercial agreement.
Key Takeaways
- Dubai has three business setup options: mainland (registered with DET), free zone (registered with the respective free zone authority), and offshore (JAFZA for Dubai-based offshore companies).
- Following the 2021 amendment to the UAE Commercial Companies Law, most mainland business activities allow 100% foreign ownership; no local sponsor is required.
- Mainland registration follows up to eight steps, including trade name registration, initial approval, MoA notarisation, Ejari registration, and licence collection.
- Free zone company registration typically completes within 3 to 7 working days, with licence fees starting from around AED 12,500 for entry-level setups.
- Offshore company registration in Dubai (JAFZA) suits asset holding and international business; it does not permit direct trading within the UAE.
- Total first-year costs range from approximately AED 25,000 for a basic free zone setup to AED 80,000 or more for a mainland company, depending on activity, visas, and office requirements.
- Several official UAE government tools – including the Dubai business directory and the National Economic Register – allow you to search the Dubai company register and verify licence details online.
FAQs
The Dubai company register is not a single database but a set of licensing systems managed by different authorities. Mainland company records are held by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), free zone records by each free zone’s authority, and offshore records by JAFZA. At the federal level, the UAE’s National Economic Register on growth.gov.ae aggregates licence data across all emirates.
To register a mainland company in Dubai, identify your business activity, choose a legal form, register your trade name, obtain initial approval from DET, sign your Memorandum of Association, register your office lease through Ejari, obtain any additional regulatory approvals, and collect your trade licence. For a free zone or offshore company, the process goes through the relevant free zone authority. You can also register online in under 15 minutes via the Basher platform at basher.gov.ae.
The cost of registering a company in Dubai depends on the setup type. Mainland licence fees start from around AED 10,000, with total first-year costs typically ranging from AED 40,000 to AED 80,000 or more. Free zone licences start from around AED 12,500, with all-in first-year costs from approximately AED 25,000 for smaller setups. Offshore registration with JAFZA starts from around AED 10,100 in year one. All figures are approximate; confirm current fees with the relevant authority.
Yes. Following the 2021 amendment to the UAE Commercial Companies Law, foreigners can own 100% of a mainland company in most business activities. Free zone and offshore companies have always permitted 100% foreign ownership. Certain restricted activities may still require a local partner.
Offshore registration in Dubai is handled by JAFZA and must go through an approved registered agent. You submit notarised passport copies, proof of residential address, and a bank reference letter. The Certificate of Incorporation is issued in approximately 5 to 7 working days. You must also register your UBO structure within 60 days and with the Federal Tax Authority within three months of incorporation.
You can search the Dubai company register through the Dubai business directory at Invest In Dubai, the DET e-services portal at eservices.dubaided.gov.ae, or the National Economic Register at growth.gov.ae. These tools let you verify business licence status, registered activities, and trade name availability.
