Topic Summary
The AED 12,500 Zero Visa Baseline
Dubai South Business Hub's zero visa package costs a flat AED 12,500, covering license issuance only without any residency allocation. It's designed for founders who need a legal UAE entity but not personal residency.
One-Off Versus Recurring Fee Split
The initial AED 12,500 covers license issuance, trade name reservation, and Memorandum of Association drafting as one-time costs. Recurring costs include annual license renewal, facility renewal, and tax obligations that apply every year.
What the Base Fee Excludes
The zero visa cost skips Emirates ID processing, medical testing, and residence visa stamping entirely. It also excludes VAT registration fees, external activity approvals, and bonded warehousing arrangements.
Five Steps to Set Up Without a Visa
Registering a no-visa company follows a defined sequence starting with name reservation and initial approval through to license issuance. Each step avoids the residency-linked stages like Emirates ID and medical checks that visa packages require.
Comparing Zero, One, and Two Visa Packages
The one-visa package costs AED 16,350 and the two-visa package AED 18,200, both layering Emirates ID and medical fees onto the base license cost. The price difference shows exactly what visa processing adds beyond the AED 12,500 license baseline.
Corporate Tax Applies Regardless of Visas
A 9% corporate tax applies once net profit exceeds AED 375,000, independent of whether the company holds any visas. This means even a zero-visa entity must register and file once it crosses the profit threshold.
VAT Rules That Still Apply
A 5% VAT applies to taxable goods or services once turnover crosses the Federal Tax Authority's threshold, regardless of visa package chosen. Founders without visas still need to track this obligation separately from license renewal.
In 2026, the 0 visa package dubai cost sits at AED 12,500 flat [1], the lowest entry point into Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone. That figure covers license issuance only, not residency. Compare it against AED 16,350 for one visa and AED 18,200 for two, and the gap tells you exactly what visa processing adds. Roughly 9% corporate tax kicks in above AED 375,000 net profit [2]. VAT sits at 5% where taxable [3]. This guide breaks down every fee, what's excluded, and the five steps to register a company without visa dubai from day one.
What Is the 0 Visa Package Dubai Cost and Why It Matters
The 0 visa package dubai cost is AED 12,500, a standard Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone license issued without any residency visa allocation. It suits founders running location-independent businesses who don't need UAE residency to operate, sign contracts, or open a corporate bank account.
Who Chooses a Company Without Visa Dubai
Take a UK-based e-commerce founder who wants a UAE entity for supplier contracts but keeps living in London. She doesn't need an Emirates ID or a residence stamp; she just needs a legal entity that can invoice, sign supplier agreements, and hold a corporate account. The AED 12,500 flat fee covers exactly that, nothing more, nothing less. Remote founders, holding companies with no local staff, and anyone testing UAE market entry before committing all fall into this bracket.
How the License Differs From Visa-Inclusive Packages
No Emirates ID or medical test steps required
No GDRFAD or ICP visa processing fees added
Faster issuance timeline, since visa stamping isn't part of the process
Compare to AED 16,350 for one visa and AED 18,200 for two visas
DSBH Visa Package Cost Breakdown
Feature | One-Off Fees | Recurring Fees |
|---|---|---|
0 Visa Package: AED 12,500 license issuance | Full amount paid once at registration | Renewal fee due every 12 months |
1 Visa Package: AED 16,350 license and visa processing | Includes Emirates ID and medical fee once | Visa renewal every 2-3 years, plus license |
2 Visa Package: AED 18,200 license and visa processing | Covers two Emirates ID and medical rounds | Two visa renewals staggered, plus license |
Annual license renewal (recurring) | Not applicable at setup | Charged yearly on all three packages |
Facility/desk space renewal (recurring) | Included in first-year license fee | Renews annually alongside license |
Corporate tax filing above AED 375,000 profit (recurring) | Not part of setup cost | Applies yearly regardless of visa count |
Zero Visa License Cost Dubai: One-Off Versus Recurring Fees
The zero visa license cost dubai of AED 12,500 covers first-year registration and license issuance. Recurring costs include annual license renewal, office facility fees, and any activity-specific approvals, which repeat yearly regardless of visa status.
One-Off Setup Costs
Initial license fee: AED 12,500
Trade name reservation and initial approval, handled through a company name search
Memorandum of Association drafting for the entity
Think of a Berlin-based consultant setting up a holding structure for her IP licensing income. She pays AED 12,500 once and skips visa costs entirely, since she has no plans to relocate.
Recurring Annual Costs
License renewal fee due each year
Facility or desk space renewal, part of the yearly package
Corporate tax registration once profit crosses AED 375,000, taxed at 9% Federal Tax Authority
5% VAT registration where turnover triggers the threshold
What Is Not Included in a Zero Visa License Cost Dubai
The zero visa license cost dubai excludes visa allocation, Emirates ID, medical testing, and residency-linked bank documentation. It also excludes VAT registration fees, activity-specific external approvals, and bonded warehousing, since DSBH goods are duty-suspended, not duty-exempt.
Residency-Related Exclusions
No Emirates ID processing included
No medical fitness test scheduled
No residence visa stamping performed
Tax and Customs Clarifications
5% VAT applies where goods or services are taxable Federal Tax Authority
DSBH isn't a designated zone for VAT purposes
Goods are duty-suspended, not duty-exempt, so bonded warehousing isn't offered Dubai Trade
Is a zero visa license worth it for a remote founder?
Yes, if you don't plan to relocate. You save AED 3,850 to 5,700 versus visa-inclusive packages. You still get full trading rights.
Numbered Steps to Register a Company Without Visa Dubai
Registering a company without visa dubai takes five steps: choose your activity, reserve a trade name, submit documents to DET-aligned free zone authority, pay the AED 12,500 fee, and receive your license, typically within a few working days.
Step 1: Select Your Business Activity
Match activity to license category using the business activities list
Check if activity needs external approval from a regulator
Confirm the activity fits a free zone (not mainland) license
Step 2: Reserve a Trade Name
Run a trade name availability search before applying
Confirm naming conventions align with DET requirements
Avoid restricted words that trigger manual review
Step 3: Submit Documents and Pay AED 12,500
Passport copies and completed application form
Pay the flat AED 12,500 license fee
No visa quota selected at this stage
Step 4: Receive License and Open a Bank Account
License issuance typically within a few working days
Corporate bank account opening follows license approval
No further visa steps required for this package
Comparing 0, 1, and 2 Visa Packages by Cost
DSBH's three standard packages are AED 12,500 for zero visas, AED 16,350 for one visa, and AED 18,200 for two visas. The jump in price covers Emirates ID processing, medical testing, and visa stamping for each allocated visa.
When Upgrading to a Visa Package Makes Sense
Picture a founder who starts with the zero-visa license to test his consultancy idea. Six months in, he decides to relocate to Dubai full-time. He upgrades to the 1-visa package at AED 16,350, adding residency services he didn't need at launch. That's AED 3,850 more than the zero package, but now he can sponsor his own visa and open a personal bank account tied to residency.
Important Considerations
0 visa package dubai cost stays fixed at AED 12,500 regardless of turnover
Upgrading mid-year means paying the difference, not starting fresh
Family sponsorship needs a visa allocation first
Tax and Compliance Rules That Apply Regardless of Visa Status
Corporate tax at 9% above AED 375,000 profit and 5% VAT registration thresholds apply to every DSBH company, whether or not the owner holds a visa. Visa status doesn't change a company's tax obligations under UAE federal law.
Corporate Tax Thresholds
9% rate applies above AED 375,000 net profit Ministry of Finance
0% band below that threshold
Annual filing obligations apply regardless of visa count
VAT Registration Triggers
Mandatory registration above AED 375,000 taxable turnover
Voluntary registration above AED 187,500
DSBH isn't a VAT-designated zone, so standard rules apply Federal Tax Authority
The 0 visa package dubai cost gives founders a straightforward, lower-cost route into Dubai South Business Hub Free Zone at AED 12,500, with recurring renewal fees and tax obligations that apply no matter which package you choose. Whether you start your business today or wait until you're ready to relocate, the numbers stay transparent: AED 12,500, AED 16,350, or AED 18,200, plus 9% corporate tax above AED 375,000 and 5% VAT where it applies. Compare your exact setup costs using the cost calculator before you register, and confirm which package fits your growth plans.
References
Frequently Asked Questions
