Dubai Living in Dubai Business Setup Consultants

The 9 Best Business Setup Consultants in Dubai (2026)

Updated November 2026 · 9 picks

The best business setup consultants in Dubai in 2026 include Virtuzone, Shuraa, Creative Zone and Commitbiz for mainland and free zone company formation, Sovereign PPG for company set-up and PRO services, and Takween Advisory, Avyanco and Riz & Mona for advisory-led setups. Each is a currently operating Dubai consultancy with its own site and office; confirm its licence and a written quote before paying.

How we chose

Company formation is a regulated, financial decision, so this list is held to a higher bar than a restaurant round-up. Every firm here is a currently operating consultancy with its own website and a Dubai office address published on that site, a clear stated focus on company formation, licensing, visas or PRO services, and evidence on its own site of serving international founders and investors. Entries are consultancies, not free zone authorities.

Nothing here is ranked by price, speed or results, no firm paid to be included, and there are no affiliate links. We do not quote setup costs, because they change with the activity, jurisdiction and visas. This page is not legal, tax or financial advice. It is a shortlist to start from.

Check the licence before you pay anyone. Mainland licences in Dubai are issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET); free zone licences come from the zone's own authority, such as DMCC or IFZA. Ask any consultancy for its own trade licence number and check it with the relevant authority.

Dubai offers two main routes to a company. A mainland company is licensed in Dubai by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). A free zone company is licensed by the authority of a specific zone, such as DMCC, IFZA, Dubai South or DIFC, each with its own rules and fees.

A consultancy can compare the routes, file the applications and handle visas and government paperwork, but the licence itself always comes from DET or the zone authority. You can also apply directly to either, so use a consultancy for the work it saves you, not because you have to.

1. Virtuzone — Burj Khalifa District

A large company formation specialist covering free zone, mainland and offshore setups.

Specialty Free zone and mainland formation, corporate servicesBest for International founders, SMEs and investors

Virtuzone says it has helped more than 80,000 entrepreneurs from over 180 countries start businesses since 2009, and that its team of 250-plus speaks more than 40 languages. Its site covers free zone and mainland formation, offshore entities and international company setup.

It also lists bank account opening, accounting, corporate tax compliance, legal services, Golden Visa and PRO services, plus a cost calculator on its site.

Good to know: Use its cost calculator to build a quote, then ask which government fees are included.

Al Saaha Office B, 404, Souk Al Bahar, Burj Khalifa District, Dubai, UAE

Google Maps Website

2. Shuraa Business Setup — Sheikh Zayed Road

A long-running Dubai consultancy for mainland, free zone and offshore licenses plus PRO services.

Specialty Mainland, free zone and offshore setup, PRO and visasBest for Founders, investors and SMEs

Shuraa says it has more than 26 years of experience, over 100,000 clients served and a team that speaks 20-plus languages. Its Dubai main branch is on Sheikh Zayed Road near Financial Centre Metro.

Its site covers mainland and free zone company formation, offshore companies, PRO and visa services, Golden Visa, bank account opening and local sponsorship agent services.

Good to know: Its Dubai branch is on Sheikh Zayed Road near Financial Centre Metro, handy if you want to meet in person.

5th Floor, Aspin Commercial Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE

Google Maps Website

3. Creative Zone — Downtown Dubai

A one-stop business setup firm with offices in Downtown Dubai and DIFC.

Specialty Free zone and mainland formation, office and co-workingBest for Startups, SMEs and international entrepreneurs

Creative Zone says that over 15 years its team has helped more than 75,000 startups and SMEs set up and grow. Its site lists free zones including DIFC, DMCC, Dubai Design District and Dubai South, as well as Dubai mainland company formation.

Beyond licensing it offers business hub and co-working space in Downtown Dubai, office fit-out partners, trademark and ISO certification, and offshore setups.

Good to know: It has a second office at DIFC Gate Avenue, which suits founders targeting the financial centre.

Office 104-105, Level 1, Emaar Square, Building 4, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Downtown Dubai, UAE

Google Maps Website

4. Commitbiz — Dubai World Trade Centre

A company formation consultancy with a Dubai head office and offices across the Gulf.

Specialty Company formation, PRO, local sponsor and visa servicesBest for International founders, SMEs and investors

Commitbiz says it has 19-plus years of experience, a team of 200-plus, and has served clients of 150-plus nationalities. Its site covers company formation in Dubai and across the UAE, plus PRO services, local sponsor arrangements, bank account help and visa services.

It also has offices in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Oman and elsewhere. Its site notes that it is a privately operated consultancy, not a government body.

Good to know: Its website states that it is an independent service provider, so check any official fees with the licensing authority.

10th Floor, Dubai World Trade Center, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE

Google Maps Website

5. Sovereign PPG (Pro Partner Group) — Sheikh Zayed Road

A corporate services provider for company set-up, local partnership and PRO services in the Gulf.

Specialty Company set-up, local partnership, PRO and complianceBest for International companies, investors and founders

Sovereign PPG presents itself as a company set-up, local partnership and PRO service provider in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and across the GCC, as part of the Sovereign Group. Its site lists company set-up, visa and licensing, HR services, company secretarial, accounting and bookkeeping, corporate compliance and residency programmes.

Its Dubai office is in The H Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, with working hours of Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:30.

Good to know: Ask about company secretarial and compliance support as well as the initial setup.

2601 The H Hotel, 1 Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE

Google Maps Website

6. Takween Advisory — Trade Centre First

An advisory-led firm that compares mainland and free zone routes against your goals.

Specialty Jurisdiction advice, mainland and free zone setupBest for Founders, investors and professionals

Takween Advisory says it has advised more than 500 businesses and covers 30-plus free zones, including DMCC, IFZA, Meydan, Dubai South and DAFZA, as well as Dubai mainland LLC, professional licence and branch or representative office setups.

Its site explains jurisdiction trade-offs in plain terms, including mainland ownership rules and when a physical office is needed, and it also offers PRO services and an investor visa.

Good to know: Ask for a recommendation across several jurisdictions, with the reasoning written down.

Emirates Towers - 1902, Al Moosa Tower 2, Trade Centre First, Dubai, UAE

Google Maps Website

7. Avyanco — Trade Centre First

A corporate advisory firm covering company setup, structuring, PRO, visas and tax.

Specialty Company setup, holding structures, PRO, visas and taxBest for Founders, investors and international groups

Avyanco's site states that it is DET licensed and shows a licence number. It covers Dubai mainland and free zone formation (DMCC, IFZA, JAFZA, DAFZA, DIFC, Meydan and others), offshore companies and international formation in other countries.

Services include PRO and banking support, visas and Golden Visa, corporate tax and VAT, and holding company, SPV and family wealth structures, so it suits founders with more complex setups.

Good to know: If you want to check its licence, its site shows a licence number you can check with DET.

Level 36, Burj Al Salam Tower, Trade Centre First, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE

Google Maps Website

8. Riz & Mona Consultancy — Business Bay

A Dubai-based consultancy for mainland, free zone and offshore setups and bank accounts.

Specialty Mainland, free zone and offshore setup, bank accountsBest for International entrepreneurs, SMEs and investors

Riz & Mona describes itself as a Dubai-based consultancy serving international entrepreneurs and investors since 2009, with more than 10,000 client engagements across mainland, free zone and offshore structures.

Its services cover company formation, trade licences, visa processing, corporate bank account opening, PRO services, bookkeeping and corporate tax. It highlights its CEO's relationships with UAE banks for account opening.

Good to know: Ask which banks it expects to approach and what happens if an account application is declined.

The Exchange Tower, Office 2401, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE

Google Maps Website

9. Hawksford — Jumeirah Lakes Towers

An international corporate services group with a Dubai office for structuring and compliance.

Specialty Structuring and licensing, company secretarial, complianceBest for Companies, entrepreneurs and families with cross-border needs

Hawksford is an international corporate, private client and funds services group, and its UAE page says its Dubai office advises on the most suitable way to set up a company, covering both mainland and free zone structures such as branch offices, subsidiaries and holding companies.

It also lists company secretarial, accounting and tax, compliance, HR and payroll, director services and employer-of-record services, which fits companies that want ongoing back-office support after incorporation.

Good to know: Ask about ongoing compliance and payroll support at the start, not just incorporation.

Office No. 2409, Jumeirah Business Center 2, Cluster V, Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai, UAE

Google Maps Website

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a mainland and a free zone company in Dubai?

A mainland company is licensed in Dubai by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), while a free zone company is licensed by the authority of its zone, such as DMCC, IFZA, Dubai South or DIFC. The two have different rules on office space, permitted activities and trading with the rest of the UAE, so ask a consultancy to explain how your specific activity and customers fit each route in writing.

Can a foreigner own 100% of a company in Dubai?

In many cases, yes. The UAE Government amended its Commercial Companies Law so that foreign investors can own up to 100% of specific mainland businesses instead of being limited to 49%, according to the official UAE government portal (u.ae). Activities considered of strategic impact are treated differently, and free zones have their own ownership rules, so confirm the position for your activity before you commit.

Who issues a business license in Dubai?

For the Dubai mainland, the licensing authority is the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Free zone licenses are issued by each zone's own authority, for example DMCC, IFZA, Dubai South or DIFC. A consultancy prepares and submits the application, but the license is issued in your company's name by the authority, not by the consultancy.

What does a PRO service do?

PRO services handle the government paperwork around a company, such as processing visas, licence renewals and other approvals. The consultancies in this guide list PRO services alongside company formation. Ask what is included, what government fees are extra, and who holds your documents.

How do I check a business setup consultancy before paying?

Ask for its own trade licence number and check it with the authority that issued it (DET for the mainland, or the relevant free zone). Ask for a written quote that separates government fees from the consultancy's own fees, and for a list of what is and is not included, such as visas, office space and bank account support.

1. Virtuzone — Burj Khalifa District

2. Shuraa Business Setup — Sheikh Zayed Road

3. Creative Zone — Downtown Dubai

4. Commitbiz — Dubai World Trade Centre

5. Sovereign PPG (Pro Partner Group) — Sheikh Zayed Road

6. Takween Advisory — Trade Centre First

7. Avyanco — Trade Centre First

8. Riz & Mona Consultancy — Business Bay

9. Hawksford — Jumeirah Lakes Towers

Frequently asked questions

Related lists

The 9 Best Real Estate Agencies in Dubai (2026)

The 9 Best Law Firms in Dubai (2026)

The 9 Best Accountants & VAT Advisors in Dubai (2026)

The 11 Best Restaurants in Dubai (2026)

The 10 Best Things to Do With Kids in Dubai (2026)