Company setup
Compare company setup quotes
Two quotes at the same price almost never cover the same thing. This neutral checklist aligns the scope line by line, so you compare what you actually pay for.
Why two quotes rarely compare
A licence price is not a budget. From one provider to the next, the visa, establishment card, medical test, Emirates ID or renewal are included, excluded or simply missing from the quote. Before comparing totals, align the scope line by line.
The company checklist: 10 items to clarify
| Line item | Included | Excluded | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade licence | ☐ | ☐ | AED …… |
| Incorporation and documents | ☐ | ☐ | AED …… |
| Office or address | ☐ | ☐ | AED …… |
| Establishment card | ☐ | ☐ | AED …… |
| Visa allocation | ☐ | ☐ | AED …… |
| Residence visa | ☐ | ☐ | AED …… |
| Medical examination | ☐ | ☐ | AED …… |
| Emirates ID | ☐ | ☐ | AED …… |
| Government fees | ☐ | ☐ | AED …… |
| Service and support fees | ☐ | ☐ | AED …… |
The visa checklist: 8 items
| Line item | Included | Excluded | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sponsor / visa category | ☐ | ☐ | AED …… |
| Entry permit | ☐ | ☐ | AED …… |
| Change of status | ☐ | ☐ | AED …… |
| Medical examination | ☐ | ☐ | AED …… |
| Emirates ID | ☐ | ☐ | AED …… |
| Government fees | ☐ | ☐ | AED …… |
| Dependants | ☐ | ☐ | AED …… |
| Service and support fees | ☐ | ☐ | AED …… |
What every quote should state
- The total payable, with VAT clearly shown.
- Inclusions and exclusions, in writing, line by line.
- The number of people and visas covered.
- Renewal: its annual price and what it covers.
- Quote validity, timelines and the payment schedule.
Questions to ask before signing
- Which activity code precisely matches my business?
- What is the total cost for the requested number of visas, establishment card and tests?
- Are renewal, VAT and cancellation fees listed?
- Is the partner recognised, and what does their service cover?
- Which charges are IFZA fees, and which are professional fees?
- What visa capacity and workspace are included?
- Is my activity eligible for Basic Biz?
- Does a quota of 1 visa meet my needs?
- What is the full budget including residency and renewal?
- Which components of the first visa are actually covered?
See 38 more questions
- What extra fees remain for medical, Emirates ID and status change?
- What is the renewal price?
- Which legal structure and licence allow my activity?
- Are premises, Ejari or external approvals required?
- What is the total budget including immigration and renewal?
- Does the price include an issued visa or only a provision/quota?
- Which medical, Emirates ID and establishment card fees remain payable?
- Which workspace and activity are included, and what does renewal cost?
- Is the price tax-inclusive, for 1 year and without a visa?
- What immigration, Emirates ID and status-change fees are added?
- Are my activities eligible for the Media Package?
- Does my activity qualify for the entry price?
- What VAT, name reservation and other fees are added?
- What is the total for full residency and renewal?
- What licence and visa durations apply at this price?
- Are Emirates ID, VAT and insurance included?
- What is the renewal price?
- Does the quote confirm VAT, status change and insurance?
- What visa duration and renewal fees apply?
- Can I use this offer without an existing UAE residency?
- Does the price cover 12 months, any immigration fees and renewal?
- Does the final quote include VAT and activity-specific approvals?
- What is the extra cost to upgrade to a residency package?
- Is the amount tax-inclusive, and is insurance still extra?
- What visa duration and expiry-time renewal cost apply?
- What is the year-one total for licence, residency, office and VAT?
- What is the year-two total and the cost when the visa is renewed?
- Confirm the tax-inclusive total and licence/visa durations
- Check my activity eligibility and insurance exclusions
- Are status change, establishment card and e-channel covered in my case?
- What is the exact duration and tax-inclusive invoice?
- What is the upgrade cost for a residency package?
- What validity, renewal and tax-inclusive total apply?
- Which activities and how many partners are actually authorised?
- Does the advertised visa cover processing, medical, ID, insurance and status change?
- What validity and tax-inclusive renewal apply?
- What quota will actually be granted?
- What fees apply per additional visa and at renewal?
Questions taken from the 19 offers in the Dubai Compass comparator.
In My project, the Dubai Compass tool reads your quotes, flags missing items and tells you which questions to ask each provider.
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