Your complete plan includes the reasons, setup considerations, document checklist and questions to confirm before proceeding.
Mainland setupFree-zone setupSpecialist route reviewDubai-based support
Useful before the first call
A starting plan shaped around your business—not a generic brochure.
The Compass turns your answers into a focused consultation brief, helping you compare the factors that actually affect setup.
01
Best-fit starting route
See whether your answers lean toward mainland, free zone or a specialist review.
02
Alternative to compare
Understand the second route worth checking before you commit.
03
Documents to prepare
Receive a practical checklist shaped by ownership and activity.
04
Visa and premises factors
Surface the operational choices that can change eligibility and cost.
05
Questions for your adviser
Walk into the conversation knowing what needs to be confirmed.
A better first decision
The lowest licence price is not always the lowest operating cost.
Your market, premises, visas, shareholder structure and approvals can all change the appropriate setup route. Dubai Setup Compass helps you identify those questions before comparing quotations.
Compare like for like
Identify approval-sensitive activities early
Avoid paying for a route that does not fit the operating model
Clear recommendation.Human review where it matters.
Routes the Compass compares
Start with how the company needs to operate.
01
Mainland
Often worth reviewing when the business expects direct UAE activity, customer-facing premises, a larger team or tender-related requirements.
Market and premises-led
02
Free zone
Often worth reviewing for internationally oriented, sector-focused or flexible-workspace businesses, subject to activity and market-access requirements.
Activity and package-led
03
Specialist review
Used when activities, approvals, industrial premises, corporate shareholders, branch structures or capacity make a simple automated answer unreliable.
Consultant-led
The Compass provides an initial route guide only. Final eligibility, authority, activity, approvals, cost, tax treatment and banking requirements must be confirmed.
From idea to operating company
A clear path, with one team supporting the details.
01
Assess
Clarify the activity, market, owners, visas and premises.
02
Compare
Review suitable routes, costs, renewals and dependencies.
03
Form
Prepare documents, submissions, approvals and licensing.
04
Support
Coordinate visas, banking, tax, accounting and compliance.
Beyond company formation
Practical support before and after the licence.
⌁
Company formation
Mainland, free-zone and specialist structure coordination.
◇
Residency visas
Founder, investor, partner and employee visa support.
▤
Banking support
Preparation and guidance for corporate account applications.
◎
Tax and accounting
VAT, corporate tax, bookkeeping and ongoing compliance support.
Built for informed founders
Arrive at the consultation with better questions.
“The plan made it much easier to understand which assumptions needed checking before we compared packages.”
Frequently asked questions
A few things worth knowing before you start.
Still unsure? Use the Compass and a consultant can review the result with you.
No. It is an initial route guide based on your answers. The exact activity, authority, approvals, documents and costs must be confirmed by a consultant.
The first version focuses on the route and cost drivers. Any later estimate will be clearly marked indicative and use consultant-approved, dated pricing.
The appropriate route depends on the activity and operating model. The Compass flags market access as something to confirm rather than making a blanket promise.
Your result appears immediately. DubaiSetup receives the answers as a consultation brief and follows up through the channel you selected.
Some steps may be handled remotely, while others can depend on the route, banking, medical, identity or immigration requirements. A consultant will confirm the process for your circumstances.
