Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment
Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment
IT Business Setup, Dubai, UAE
Choose the right jurisdiction, licence and activity for software, IT services and tech consulting, from day one.
Free, no-obligation consultation on jurisdiction and licence.
Starting an IT business in Dubai means choosing a jurisdiction, mainland, free zone or offshore, and a licence activity that matches your services, such as software development, IT consulting or cybersecurity. A free zone generally offers 100% foreign ownership and a faster setup, while mainland allows direct UAE-wide trading and eligibility for government tenders. Published competitor pricing shows a licence cost of roughly AED 12,000 to 25,000, plus AED 3,000 to 6,000 per visa. A clear activity choice and jurisdiction match to your client base are what keep the structure right from day one.
Why It Matters
Dubai's digital economy is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the UAE, with strong demand for software development, IT consulting, cybersecurity and emerging technology services. Choosing the right jurisdiction, mainland, free zone or offshore, and the right licence activity from the start avoids costly restructuring later and determines who you can sell to, from local government tenders to international clients.
Choosing Your Jurisdiction
Trade directly across the UAE and bid for government contracts, with 100% foreign ownership available for most IT activities.
Lower setup cost, full profit repatriation and a business community geared toward tech and startups.
Strong demand for software, IT consulting and cybersecurity services across the UAE market.
Licence covers a broad range of IT and technology activities under one trade licence.
100% repatriation of capital and profits, with no currency restrictions.
Before You Apply
Confirm the specific IT activity codes that match your services.
Mainland, free zone or offshore, based on your target clients.
Passport copies, trade name options and a business plan summary.
Decide investor and employee visa count against your office package.
Getting Started
Confirm the exact IT activity codes your licence needs to cover.
Decide between mainland, free zone or offshore.
Submit your preferred company name for approval.
Passport copies, business plan summary and shareholder details.
File your licence application with the relevant authority.
Settle registration and licensing fees.
Collect your trade licence and open a corporate bank account.
Apply for investor and employee visas against your approved structure.
Budgeting
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Licence cost | AED 12,000-25,000* |
| Per-person visa cost | AED 3,000-6,000* |
| Combined typical setup | AED 12,000-31,000* |
| Office package | Priced separately by jurisdiction |
| Nationality requirement | Open to any nationality |
*Indicative only, based on published competitor pricing at the time of research. Confirm current pricing directly with our team before budgeting a total.
Our Story
Smart Zones® UAE has helped more than 45,000 clients worldwide set up, relocate and protect their interests across the UAE, backed by 13+ years of experience in company formation, residency, banking and family trust formation.
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The trust formation process was seamless from start to finish. Highly recommend Smart Zones UAE.
Professional, transparent, and fast. Exactly what I needed for my family's estate planning.
Clear guidance throughout and no hidden costs. Would use them again.
Responsive team and a genuinely smooth setup process from our first call to licence in hand.
Handled everything remotely for us with zero surprises on cost. Would use them again without hesitation.
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Smart Zones® - Your UAE Entry Partner
Business • Residency • Banking • Wealth • Investment