Consulting is one of the cleanest businesses to set up in Dubai. You are selling expertise, so there is no stock to import, no shop to fit out, and no factory to license. For a UK consultant looking at the UAE, that means a fast, low-overhead launch.
This guide shows how to start a consulting company in Dubai, in order, so you know what to do and what it costs. If you would rather we handle it, see our business setup in Dubai service.
Step 1: Decide what your licence covers
Start by defining your consulting activity precisely. UAE licences are tied to approved activity codes, so “consulting” on its own is too vague. You need to name what you advise on, whether that is management, marketing, IT, HR, engineering, or another field.
This matters for two reasons. It determines which authority can license you. It affects whether you need any external approval. Some advisory fields, particularly anything touching regulated sectors such as finance, health, or legal services, need sign-off from the relevant regulator before the licence is issued. Most general management and marketing consulting does not.
If you expect to bill for related services, such as training or implementation work, choose a licence that lets you combine activities so you are not buying separate licences later.
Step 2: Choose free zone or mainland
A consulting company can be set up either way, and the choice shapes your cost and your client access.
A free zone gives you 100% ownership, lower entry cost, fast digital processing, and a flexi-desk option that keeps overheads down. The limit is that a free zone company serves clients within its zone and internationally, and selling directly into the mainland in some cases needs additional structure.
The mainland gives you unrestricted access to UAE-based clients, including government bodies, but costs more because most activities require leased, Ejari-registered office space.
For most consultants whose clients are international, in free zones, or comfortable contracting with a free zone entity, the free zone route is the practical choice. If your clients are predominantly UAE government or mainland companies that require a mainland supplier, weigh the mainland.
Step 3: Pick your zone
If you go the free zone route, the zone you choose affects your address, your cost, and your banking.
IFZA, inside Dubai Silicon Oasis, is the common default for consultants. A single-activity trade licence starts from around AED 12,500, it gives you a Dubai address, and it allows up to three related activities on one licence. SHAMS in Sharjah is cheaper, from roughly AED 5,750, with the trade-off of a Sharjah rather than Dubai address. DMCC carries more prestige and a professional community at a higher price point. DIFC suits regulated financial advisory under English common law.
Our full comparison is in the guide to the best free zone for a consulting business.
Step 4: Reserve your trade name and get initial approval
Once you have chosen activity and zone, reserve your company name. It must be unique, follow UAE naming conventions, and avoid offensive or restricted terms.
You then apply for initial approval from the authority, confirming that your proposed activity and structure are acceptable. For most general consulting this is straightforward and quick.
Step 5: Sort your workspace
Free zones meet the physical-presence requirement with a flexi-desk or shared workspace, which is enough for a solo consultant or a small team and keeps cost low. A dedicated office becomes relevant only when you need a larger visa quota or a client-facing space.
On the mainland, you lease a commercial unit that meets municipality zoning and register it through Ejari before the licence is finalised.
Step 6: Get your licence issued
With approvals and workspace in place and fees paid, the authority issues your licence, usually digitally. Free zone consulting licences are often issued within a few working days once documents are ready. IFZA, for example, commonly processes new registrations in five to seven working days. If your home-country documents need apostille or attestation, factor in one to three extra weeks.
Step 7: Apply for residence visas
Your licence comes with a visa quota. To live in the UAE and run the business, you apply for a residence visa, which includes a medical test, Emirates ID, and stamping, at roughly AED 3,000 to AED 6,000 per person. A flexi-desk typically supports one to three visas. You can sponsor family members once your own visa is active. The visa itself runs on the standard investor or partner basis, covered in our UAE investor visa requirements guide.
Step 8: Open a bank account and register for tax
Open a UAE business bank account as soon as the licence is issued. Do not wait, because account opening commonly takes six to twelve weeks, and delays here hold up your ability to invoice and get paid. Choosing a zone your bank recognises makes this smoother. UK founders often face rejection when they apply unprepared, so a complete banking pack matters.
Register with the Federal Tax Authority for corporate tax. The UAE applies 9% on profit above AED 375,000 under Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022, and registration is required even if you owe nothing. Qualifying free zone consultancies can hold a 0% rate on qualifying income where they meet substance and activity conditions. Register for VAT once taxable turnover passes AED 375,000 a year.
The UK angle: run it from home
You can set up and run a Dubai consultancy from the UK. Free zone formation is largely remote, and many founders manage renewals and filings from the UK through a PRO service. A short visit is usually needed only for Emirates ID biometrics if you take a residence visa. Registering a UAE company does not change your UK tax residency by itself, since HMRC applies the Statutory Residence Test, so take UK advice if you keep a UK limited company alongside the UAE entity.
What it costs and how long it takes
For a typical solo consultant in a Dubai free zone, expect a first-year total in the region of AED 12,500 to AED 20,000 once you include the licence, one visa, a flexi-desk, and basic compliance. The licence itself can be issued in days. A fully operational business, with visa, Emirates ID, bank account, and tax registration, realistically takes a few weeks from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Define your advisory activity, choose free zone or mainland, pick a zone such as IFZA, reserve your trade name, get initial approval, secure a flexi-desk, receive the licence, then apply for your visa, bank account, and tax registration. Most of it can be done remotely from the UK.
A solo free zone consultancy typically costs AED 12,500 to AED 20,000 in year one, covering the licence, one visa, a flexi-desk, and basic compliance.
Not a full office. Free zones accept a flexi-desk that meets the physical-presence requirement. A dedicated office is needed only for a larger visa quota or client-facing space.
The licence is often issued in five to seven working days in a free zone. A fully operational business with visa, Emirates ID, and bank account usually takes a few weeks.
Yes. Formation is largely remote and renewals can be managed through a PRO service. One short trip is usually required only for Emirates ID biometrics if you take a residence visa.
Set it up properly the first time
The steps are simple, but the order matters, and a wrong activity code or an overlooked approval costs time you would rather spend on clients. Gatestone Group sets up consulting companies for UK founders end to end, from activity selection and zone choice through licensing, visas, and banking introductions. Book a free consultation and have your Dubai consultancy running cleanly from day one.
Disclaimer
This article is general information for UK founders considering business setup in the UAE. It is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Fees, thresholds, and regulations are indicative for 2026 and can change without notice. Confirm current figures with the relevant authority or with a Gatestone Group consultant before acting. Gatestone Group does not guarantee approvals, timelines, or specific outcomes.
