PRO & Business Setup Fee Schedule
An itemized reference guide summarizing official UAE government portal fees, DED trade licensing costs, and MOHRE labor visa clearing charges across Dubai.
Up-to-Date for 2026
Managing visa applications and DED licensing renewals efficiently prevents administrative delays.
Navigating Dubai Government & Visa fees
Budgeting for company formation or ongoing administrative renewals in Dubai requires a clear understanding of the fees charged by various government departments. Many start-ups struggle with unexpected costs from immigration approvals, labor card typing, and Ejari certifications.
Below is an itemized breakdown of standard government fees for mainland and free-zone structures in Dubai, along with a structured checklist for trade license renewals.
1. Government Visa Processing Fees (GDRFA / ICA)
Employment visa costs vary based on whether the applicant is currently inside or outside the UAE:
- Entry Permit: Standard employment entry permit quota typing: AED 500 - 800.
- Change of Status: Required if the applicant is inside the country without exiting: AED 650 - 750.
- Medical Fitness: Standard test: AED 320; VIP Express service: AED 750 - 850.
- Emirates ID Typing: Registration and typing fees (varies by visa duration): AED 170 - 270.
2. MOHRE Labor Quotas & Permits
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) categorizes companies (Class A, B, or C) and charges fees based on their rating:
- Work Permit Quota: Quota application and work permit approval: AED 200 - 300.
- Work Permit Issuance: Standard permit issuance fees range from AED 300 to AED 2,000 depending on the company category.
- Labor Card Renewal: Annual renewal of electronic labor cards: AED 300 - 1,000.
- Labor Bank Guarantee: A deposit of AED 3,000 per employee, or an insurance policy fee of AED 150 - 250.
3. DED Licensing & Commercial Setup Costs
The Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) mainland licensing fees depend on your business activity and location:
- Trade Name Reservation: Reservation and registration: AED 620.
- Initial Approval: Application and certificate: AED 120.
- Commercial Lease Ejari: Registration and certification: AED 220 - 300.
- Chamber of Commerce: Annual membership registration fee: AED 1,200.
Step-by-Step Corporate Trade License Renewal Checklist
Failing to renew your Trade License before its expiration date results in a monthly administrative fine of AED 250 and can lead to the suspension of your corporate bank accounts and employee visas. Follow this 4-step process for renewals:
Step 1: Ejari Contract Verification
Ensure your commercial office lease contract is renewed and successfully registered in the Ejari system. The contract must be valid for at least 3 months from the date of DED submission.
Step 2: DED Portal Renewal Submission
Log in to the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) portal, submit your renewed Ejari number, and upload copies of your active trade license and partners' passports.
Step 3: Payment Voucher Settlement
Once the DED reviews your files, they will issue a payment voucher. Pay the government fees, municipal taxes, and Chamber of Commerce registration costs within 30 days to avoid late penalties.
Step 4: Renewed License Printing
Once payment is confirmed, download and print your new corporate Trade License. Be sure to share the renewed file with your corporate banks, suppliers, and tax consultants.
Want this priced for your case?
Authority fees move through the year. We confirm the current schedule in writing for your activity, visa count and facility before you commit to anything.
Book a consultationA licensed tax and accounting practice, not a licence broker.
The rest of what we do
Licence, visas, bank account, books and the first tax return: handled by the same team, so the structure has to survive its first year.
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Accounting & Bookkeeping
Books kept audit-ready from month one, not reconstructed at year end.
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Audit Preparation
Schedules, reconciliations and the evidence your auditor will ask for.
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Payroll & WPS
Payroll, WPS files and end-of-service calculated correctly.
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Tax Residency Certificate
Day-count position verified and the FTA document pack assembled.
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Customs Registration
Client code and Mirsal registration, before your first shipment, not after.
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ICV Certification
Score modelled and improved before the audit, not explained afterwards.
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UAE Free Zones
All 37 zones compared by emirate, with the founding law and what each is really for.
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Company Formation
Mainland, free zone and offshore incorporation, started from your activity code.
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Ensure Flawless PRO Execution
Our executive setup and PRO services team is available to coordinate visa applications, trade license renewals, and immigration portal updates under the leadership of Managing Partner Safvan.
What Actually Drives PRO and Company-Setup Costs
There is no single price for setting up a company in the UAE because the cost is built from moving parts, and a change in any one of them moves the total. The trade licence itself varies by activity and by authority: a mainland DED licence, a free-zone package and a professional versus commercial activity all price differently. On top of the licence sit the immigration establishment card, the visa quota you need, and the per-visa cost of medical tests, Emirates ID and stamping.
The paperwork layer adds more: memorandum of association and notarisation, initial approvals, name reservation, and any activity that needs external approval from a regulator. PRO service — the government-liaison work of submitting, collecting and renewing all of this — is usually a separate retainer or per-transaction fee. That is why a realistic quote depends on your specific activity, ownership structure and headcount rather than a flat number, and why comparing providers on the licence line alone is misleading.
The practical way to read any fee schedule is to separate one-off setup costs from the annual renewals you will carry every year (licence renewal, establishment-card renewal and visa renewals) so the running cost of the structure is clear before you commit to it.
- Trade licence, priced by activity and by authority (mainland vs free zone)
- Immigration establishment card and visa quota
- Per-visa costs: entry permit, medical, Emirates ID and stamping
- MoA, notarisation, name reservation and any regulatory approvals
- PRO service retainer or per-transaction government-liaison fees
- Separate the one-off setup from the annual renewal costs
Do I pay the full setup cost again every year?
No. The bulk of the setup fee is a one-off, but you carry annual renewals (trade licence renewal, the immigration establishment card and each employment visa) so budget for a recurring yearly cost as well as the initial outlay.
Is a mainland or a free-zone licence cheaper?
It depends on your activity and visa needs rather than a fixed rule. Free zones often bundle office space and a set number of visas into one package, while mainland pricing is more modular; the cheaper option is the one that matches how you actually intend to operate.
What ongoing costs should I plan for beyond year one?
Beyond the annual renewals, plan for accounting and VAT compliance, corporate tax filing, any office or flexi-desk rent, and PRO charges for amendments such as adding an activity, a shareholder or a visa during the year.
How much does business setup cost in Dubai?
Setup cost depends on the jurisdiction, activity, office type and number of visas. Free zone packages and mainland licences are priced differently, so a scope-based quote is the accurate way to budget.
What fees are involved in PRO and setup services?
Typical fees include trade licence, registration, approvals, visa and PRO processing charges, plus any activity-specific approvals. Government fees are separate from professional service fees.
Are government fees included in the price?
Government fees and professional service fees are usually separate. A transparent quote should clearly distinguish authority charges from the service fee.
Can Exiloz give me a setup fee quote?
Yes. Share your intended activity, jurisdiction and visa needs and Exiloz will prepare a clear, scope-based fee breakdown.
