Company Formation
Timeline Estimator
Pre-filled for a free zone startup with 2 visas — your projected "everything done by" date is already showing, computed from today. Change the setup and watch the timeline rebuild.
Your setup
Business days, excluding UAE weekends (Sat–Sun) and public holidays. Fast free zones can beat these ranges when documents are ready on day one.
YOUR PROJECTED TIMELINE
Free zone · Professional · 2 visasINDICATIVE 2026 RANGES · AUTHORITY & DOCUMENT READINESS VARY
How the routes compare
Typical end-to-end business days — licence plus 2 visas
Have these ready on day one
Document readiness is the #1 difference between fast and slow setups
Frequently Asked Questions
Timing questions founders ask most
How long does it take to open a company in Dubai?
A straightforward free zone company with a professional activity is typically licensed in 3–7 business days, with residence visas adding another 7–10, so most founders are fully done in 2–3 weeks. Mainland setups usually take slightly longer (licence in 1–2 weeks) because more government touchpoints are involved.
What is the fastest way to get a UAE trade licence?
Several free zones issue licences in 1–2 days — sometimes the same day — when the activity needs no external approvals and all documents are ready. Choosing a professional (non-regulated) activity, a flexi-desk package, and having clear passport copies prepared upfront removes almost every common delay.
What slows company formation down the most?
The big four: regulated activities needing external regulator approval (can add 1–3+ weeks), foreign document attestation (a week or more if not started early), trade name rejections (avoid restricted words and famous brands), and incomplete shareholder documents. Starting attestation in parallel with the licence application saves the most time.
Can I set up a UAE company remotely without visiting?
Yes — most free zones complete the licence fully remotely with scanned documents and video KYC. You only need to be physically present for the residence visa stage: the medical test and Emirates ID biometrics must be done in the UAE.
How long does the residence visa take after the licence?
Once the licence and establishment card are issued, each visa runs roughly 7–10 business days end to end: entry permit or status change (2–4 days), medical test and Emirates ID biometrics (2–3 days), then residency stamping (3–5 days). VIP/express medical channels can compress this by several days.
Do regulated activities really take much longer?
Yes. Activities supervised by an external regulator — healthcare (DHA/DoH), education (KHDA), food (municipality), financial services (SCA/DFSA) — need that regulator's approval before or alongside the licence, typically adding one to three weeks, and considerably more for financial licences.
Want to move faster than this?
Setup consultants can run these steps in parallel and cut weeks off the timeline.
About this tool
In short: See how long each step of setting up your UAE company realistically takes.
What to have ready
- The business activity you plan to carry out
- How many shareholders and visas you will need
- Whether you need a physical office or a flexi-desk
- Where your customers are: across the UAE (mainland) or mainly international (free zone)
Common questions
Mainland or free zone: which is better?
It depends on where your customers are. A mainland licence lets you trade across the UAE market; a free zone suits businesses that serve international clients or operate from a single zone. Costs, visa quotas and office rules differ by authority, so compare quotes before you commit.
Do I need a local partner?
Many activities can now be 100% foreign-owned on the mainland, but some regulated activities still carry conditions. Confirm your activity with the licensing authority.
Are the figures on this page exact?
No. They are estimates based on typical published ranges. Final fees depend on the authority, the activity, the office type and the number of visas.
Reference content last reviewed October 2026. Results are estimates for planning, not legal, tax or immigration advice. See our editorial policy or tell us about a correction.