How long company setup takes
A realistic view from first call to a working bank account.
Typical timeline
| Stage | Free zone | Mainland |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation and document collection | 2 to 5 days | 2 to 5 days |
| Name reservation and initial approval | 1 to 3 days | 1 to 3 days |
| Licence issued | 3 to 10 working days | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Establishment card | 2 to 5 working days | 3 to 7 working days |
| Residence visa and Emirates ID | 1 to 3 weeks | 1 to 3 weeks |
| Bank account | 2 to 6 weeks | 2 to 6 weeks |
What slows things down
- Corporate shareholders whose documents need attestation abroad, which can take several weeks
- Activities needing approval from a sector regulator
- Incomplete source-of-funds evidence for the bank
- Name rejections
How to go faster
Prepare attested documents early, choose an activity that does not need external approval, and give the bank a complete file on the first submission.
Common questions
Can a Dubai company be set up in 24 hours?
Some free zones issue licences within a day of complete documents. Visas and banking always take longer.
Official sources
We check our guidance against these official sources. Always confirm current fees and rules before acting.