Timeline for Company Incorporation in Dubai

Apparently,launching a business in the UAE is exciting—yet the timeline for company incorporation in Dubai can feel mysterious if you’re new to the process. The good news? With a guidance, clear documents, and smart plan, from Black Swan Business Setup Service, you can move from idea to licensed company fast.Besides this, Below, we break down a practical, step-by-step schedule for free zone and mainland setups, share checklists that keep things moving and explain what can speed you up (or slow you down).

Table of Contents

At a glance: typical timelines

Although each authority moves at its own pace, most clients can follow this high-level schedule:

Day 1–2: Consultation, activity mapping, and jurisdiction selection (mainland vs free zone)
Day 2–4: Trade name reservation and initial approval
Day 3–7: Draft and sign MOA/AOA, submit KYC & UBO details
Day 5–10: Office/desk lease and Ejari (mainland) or Flexi-desk allocation (free zone)
Day 7–12: License issuance (DED or free zone authority)
Day 10–15: Establishment card (immigration) and labour establishment
Day 12–25: Investor/employee visas (medical + Emirates ID)
Day 12–30: Corporate bank account opening
Within 30–45 days of license: Corporate tax registration (9%) and, if required, VAT (5%)
Within first financial period: ESR and economic registers as applicable

Timings vary by activity, nationality, due diligence, and the specific free zone or Dubai Economy & Tourism (DET/DED) workflows. Nevertheless, when documents are ready, progress is swift. Get details on Business Setup in Dubai.

Step 1: map your activity and choose your jurisdiction (Day 1–2)

Start with clarity. We help you match your business model to permitted business activities, then choose between a Dubai mainland company and a free zone company:

Mainland (DED/DET): Trade anywhere in the UAE market, bid for government contracts, and open offices anywhere.
Free Zone: 100% foreign ownership, simplified customs inside the zone, and often faster onboarding; however, direct onshore trading may require a distributor or a mainland branch.

Because structure affects banking, tax, hiring, and contracts, we confirm your ideal legal form (LLC, Sole Establishment, FZE/FZCO, Branch) on day one.

Step 2: Trade name reservation & initial approval (Day 2–4)

Next, we secure your trade name reservation and initial approval. Authorities check for restricted words and duplicates, then confirm that your shareholders and activities meet policy rules. Additionally, some professional activities may require pre-approvals from external regulators (health, education, finance). We sequence those early so nothing stalls later. Looking for a Business Incorporation in Dubai?

Step 3: KYC, UBO, and AOA/MOA, pack (Day 3–7)

Apparently now we sign and draft your Articles of Association (-AOA-) or Memorandum of Association (-MOA-). Besides this, For corporate shareholders, we gather attested documents (e.g., Certificate of Incorporation, Board Resolution). Moreover,For individuals, we prepareKYC, address proof,photo, and passport forms. For the time being , we compile Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) filing details, which authorities require to maintain transparency.

Local notarisation/e-signing: Most mainland MOAs are e-notarised. Free zones often use digital signing within their portals.
Attestations (if needed): Foreign corporate documents may require Notary + UAE Embassy + MoFAIC attestation; we begin those in parallel to save time.

Because documentation accuracy drives speed, our team reviews every line before submission.

Step 4: office lease, Ejari, or flexi-desk (Day 5–10)

Licensing ties to premises. Therefore:

Mainland: You’ll sign a tenancy and register Ejari (Dubai’s lease register).
Free Zone: You’ll receive a Flexi-desk or physical office allocation from the zone.

We usually recommend a lease aligned with your headcount plan, since immigration quotas regularly link to the package tier or office size.

Step 5: license issuance (Day 7–12)

With approvals, MOA, and premises in place, the authority issues your trade license. Mainland setups receive a DED trade license; free zone setups receive the FZ trade license and establishment documents. You are now officially incorporated, can place orders, and can sign contracts under your company name.

Step 6: immigration & labour onboarding (Day 10–15)

Right after licensing, we apply for:

Establishment card (immigration card)
Labour establishment (where applicable)

These unlock investor visa and employee visa processing. We also advise on partner/family sponsorship if you want dependent visas once the investor visa is stamped.

Step 7: visas—entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, stamping (Day 12–25)

Visa steps run in a clear order:

Entry permit (can be status change if you’re already in the UAE)
Medical check (blood test + X-ray)
Biometrics for Emirates ID
Visa stamping (e-sticker on your passport record)

Meanwhile, we coordinate appointments so everything happens back-to-back. Typical investor visas finish in 7–12 working days once the license is live and the establishment card is active.

Step 8: corporate bank account opening (Day 12–30)

Banking has its own due diligence. We identify the best fit—traditional banks or digital business accounts—based on your activity, nationality mix, and turnover. Then, we prep a banker-friendly pack:

License & corporate documents
MOA/AOA and UBO chart
Business plan and initial contracts/invoices (where available)
Address proof and KYC for all signatories

Because expectations vary by bank, we brief you for the interview and sit in when invited. Most accounts open within 1–3 weeks, subject to compliance. Get details on Bank Account Opening Service in Dubai.

Step 9: tax registrations—corporate tax (9%) and VAT (5%)

The UAE introduced Corporate Tax (9%) on business profits (subject to thresholds and free zone rules). Therefore, we register you for corporate tax soon after licensing, then evaluate VAT registration (5%) based on your taxable turnover and imports. We also help you understand free zone qualifying income and transfer pricing where relevant.

Step 10: Post-licensing compliance—ESR, registers and renewals

Ultimately, we set your ongoing compliance calendar:

Economic Substance Regulations (-ESR-): Notification and, if applicable, annual return.
UBO register and partners register upkeep.
License renewal and lease/Ejari renewal.
WPS payroll and end-of-service setup for employee hiring.
audits & Bookkeeping : Monthly financial audits,VAT returns, and management accounts, (where required).

Since compliance protects growth, we keep your files audit-ready and automate reminders .

Mainland vs Free Zone: which is faster?

Free zones can issue licenses very quickly for many activities because approvals sit under one roof. However, mainland offers broader market access and often stronger credibility with certain banks and counterparties. We weigh speed, scope of business, visa needs, and banking before recommending a path. Recurrently, the fastest plan wins only if it also supports your sales model. Looking for a Corporate Tax Consultants in Dubai?

What speeds you up (-and what slows you down-)

Faster with:

Complete KYC/UBO documents from day one
Clear business activity selection (no last-minute changes)
Flexible premises solution (Flexi-desk or pre-agreed office)
Proactive bank selection with a banker-ready pack

Slower with:

Foreign corporate shareholders needing attestation and translations
External approvals (e.g., education, healthcare, media)
Complex shareholding or board structures
Inconsistent signatures or mismatched passport details

We plan around these variables so your timeline stays realistic—and efficient.

Your Black Swan edge

At Black Swan Business Setup Service, we run incorporation like a project: clear milestones, parallel workstreams, and daily updates. We push what can move in parallel (name approval, MOA drafting, premises options), then we time-box dependent steps (immigration, banking). Consequently, clients get a smooth experience—and a faster start.

Related Articles:

» Dubai Business Landscape: Right Business Structure for Incorporation

» Company Incorporation for Startups

» How to Get a Certificate of Incorporation in UAE?

» Company Incorporation Process in DMCC

» How to do Company Incorporation in Dafza?

Quick checklist

Chosen jurisdiction and business activities
Trade name approved
MOA/AOA drafted and signed
UBO filing data confirmed
Premises (Ejari or Flexi-desk) arranged
Trade license issued
Immigration and labour accounts active
Visas completed (medical + Emirates ID)
Bank account opened
Corporate tax and VAT registered as required
ESR and registers set; renewal calendar live

Steps and Timeline for Dubai Company Incorporation

Apparently,a predictable timeline for company incorporation in Dubai comes precise paperwork,parallel processing, and down to planning. Additionally, with Black Swan Business Setup Service, you get a proven path: seamless hand-offs,quick approvals, and clear decisions early, from licensing to visas to banking.Moreover If you’re ready to start, we’ll map your exact schedule and keep each day productive—so you can focus on building the business, not chasing forms.

FAQs

1) How fast can I get a trade license in Dubai?

Many free zones can issue a license within a week once documents are ready. Mainland licenses often take 7–12 working days, depending on activity and approvals.

2) Do I need to be in Dubai to incorporate?

Not always. You can complete many steps remotely. Anyhow, some bank KYC, biometrics, and visa medicals, require your physical presence.

3) which are the factors that delay the process most?

External regulator approvals, activity changes mid-stream, and un-attested or Missing shareholder documents. Therefore, We front-load these items to avoid stalls.

4) When can I open a bank account?

After license issuance. Most banks take 1–3 weeks post-interview, subject to compliance. We prepare a banker-ready file to speed this up.

5) Is a physical office mandatory?

Mainland needs Ejari (or approved shared office). Many free zones accept Flexi-desk packages. We match premises to your visa and hiring plans.

6) When can I register for Corporate Tax,and VAT?

We usually register Corporate Tax (9%) soon after licensing. VAT (5%) depends on your import profile and expected turnover. Therefore We assess file and thresholds on time.

7) Can I hire staff during incorporation?

Once the establishment card and labour establishment are active, you can start employee visas. We stage this right after license issuance.

8) What’s the difference in timelines between mainland and free zones?

Usually, Free zones can be quicker due to unified portals. Mainland may take a bit longer because multiple departments coordinate; however, it offers broader market access.

9) Do all shareholders need to sign the MOA?

Yes—either in person, via e-signature, or through a power of attorney. Corporate shareholders sign through authorised signatories, often with attested board resolutions.

10) Does Black Swan handle ongoing compliance and renewals?

Absolutely. We usually manage bookkeeping,payroll (WPS),Corporate Tax,VAT,UBO,ESR,Ejari, and license renewals so your admin remains light.