COST • SVETLANA TATAUROVA
How much does it cost for a Russian to open a company in Dubai
What makes up the cost of opening a company in Dubai for Russian citizens: license, registration, visas, office, bank, accounting and a launch reserve.
Author: Svetlana Tataurova · Updated: 2026-09-15
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Why there isn't a single price
Cost depends on the activity, Free Zone or Mainland, number of owners and visas, premises requirements and additional approvals. The advertised package price is usually not equal to the full cost of an operating business.
Registration and annual renewal
The estimate includes name reservation, registration fees, license and corporate documents. Ask for the renewal cost upfront, because a cheap first year may be followed by higher ongoing service fees.
Visas and immigration expenses
Include the establishment card, quota, owner or employee visas, medical examinations, Emirates ID and insurance. The number of visas can affect the package choice and office requirements.
Office, flexi desk and premises
For some companies the workspace provided by the zone is sufficient; others need a physical office and a registered lease agreement. A retail outlet, salon or clinic require a separate budget for deposit, fit-out and approvals.
Bank, accounting and operating expenses
Take into account bank fees and minimum balances, accounting, tax registrations, contracts, website, communications and insurance. For trade, add warehouse, import, logistics and working capital.
Launch reserve
Plan for several months of ongoing expenses before stable sales. Svetlana Tataurova helps calculate three scenarios — basic, cautious and stress — so the decision to open is based on the full budget.
Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to open a company with only the minimum license price?
You can obtain the license, but for real operations you may need visas, a bank, an office, accounting and additional approvals.
In what currency should the budget be calculated?
It's convenient to plan the main budget in dirhams, while separately fixing the currency of future revenues, expenses and a reserve for exchange-rate changes.
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