27 Aug
2025
Imagine this: you are standing in front of a time machine. Two doors open before you. The first door takes you back to Dubai in 2015. The second one takes you to Dubai in 2025.
In both worlds, you are the same person. An ambitious entrepreneur with a dream of building your company in the United Arab Emirates. A dream of tapping into one of the most dynamic economies in the world. But what happens once you step through each door could not be more different.
In 2015, the UAE was already a magnet for entrepreneurs. The promise of zero corporate tax, a global business hub, and a booming economy was irresistible. But the journey was not smooth. Bureaucracy, delays, and lack of digital systems made business setup a slow and costly process.
Fast forward to 2025. The UAE has transformed into one of the most business-friendly countries on the planet. Almost everything is digital. Approvals that once took weeks now happen in days. Costs are more transparent. Banks are more accessible. Entrepreneurs can even launch their companies remotely without stepping foot in Dubai.
This is not just a comparison of rules and costs. It is the story of how the UAE itself evolved, and how that evolution changed the entrepreneurial journey forever. So let’s step into the time machine and see what setting up a company looked like in 2015 versus 2025.
It is the year 2015. Dubai is already world-famous. The Burj Khalifa pierces the sky, Emirates Airline connects the world, and free zones have started gaining attention.
You land in Dubai with excitement. You imagine your company operating in this land of opportunity. But then the reality of the setup process begins to unfold.
Paperwork Everywhere
The journey begins with printing documents. Pages upon pages of forms need to be signed and stamped. Every approval requires a physical signature. You carry files from one government office to another. Some offices are in different parts of the city, which means hours spent in taxis. Each time you think you are done, another document is required.
Waiting for Approvals
A simple trade license takes four to six weeks. If there is even a small error in your documents, the process resets. Weeks turn into months. If you are paying rent on an office or staying in Dubai while waiting, costs pile up while your business cannot even begin.
Banking Is a Major Hurdle
Opening a bank account is one of the most frustrating steps. The bank asks for reference letters, background checks, and endless paperwork. You visit the branch multiple times, wait in long queues, and still hear “your application is under review.” For foreign founders, this feels like being kept at arm’s length.
Costs Are Higher and Rigid
In 2015, there are fewer budget-friendly options. Most free zones require larger upfront payments. Packages are less flexible, and installment options are rare. Many entrepreneurs struggle to start lean. Transparency is also lacking, with hidden charges surfacing late in the process.
Free Zones Are Fewer and Generic
Yes, free zones exist, but they are limited in number. Most offer general-purpose licenses. If you are in a specialized industry like fintech or media, you have little support beyond the license.
Corporate Tax: Zero, but Uncertain
The zero-tax environment is attractive. But global investors whisper concerns. “What if the UAE introduces taxes suddenly?” There is no clarity on long-term policy, and many investors treat Dubai as an experiment rather than a permanent base.
In summary, in 2015, setting up a company in the UAE is exciting, but it feels like ambition is constantly slowed by bureaucracy. You get there eventually, but only after spending heavily, waiting patiently, and hoping policies do not change.
Now let’s open the second door and walk into Dubai in 2025. The skyline has grown taller, but what has changed more is the invisible infrastructure. The systems. The policies. The way entrepreneurs are treated.
You arrive with your idea, and almost instantly, you feel the difference.
Licensing Happens in Days
What took four to six weeks in 2015 now takes 24 to 72 hours in many cases. Free zones like Meydan, IFZA, and Sharjah Media City issue licenses almost instantly. Some even send updates through WhatsApp. The process is digital, fast, and simple.
A Digital-First Government
No more stamps. No more physical signatures. Documents are uploaded online. Approvals are electronic. Payments are made through government portals. Even residency visas are processed with minimal physical presence.
Banking Has Evolved
Banks like Wio, along with digital-first KYC processes, have transformed the onboarding journey. You can open an account remotely from another country. The days of waiting weeks and visiting branches repeatedly are over. Accounts that once took months now open in days.
Flexible Startup Packages
Free zones now compete to attract startups. They offer flexible packages for solo founders, freelancers, and small teams. Installment plans are common. Entrepreneurs no longer need to burn all their savings upfront.
Sector-Focused Ecosystems
There are now over 40 free zones, many with sector-specific support. Media entrepreneurs find communities in Sharjah Media City. Fintech startups find homes in DIFC. Publishing firms go to Sharjah Publishing City. Your license now comes with an ecosystem of like-minded peers.
Corporate Tax Clarity
The UAE introduced a 9 percent corporate tax on profits above AED 375,000 in 2023. Some feared this would reduce interest. But the opposite happened. Entrepreneurs now see the UAE as aligned with global norms. Investors trust that policies are stable. Founders can plan ahead with confidence.
Remote Setup Becomes the Norm
In 2015, you had to be in Dubai, carrying papers across offices. In 2025, entrepreneurs in India, Europe, or Africa can set up UAE companies without ever boarding a plane. This level of accessibility is revolutionary.
In 2025, ambition is no longer slowed down. The UAE is a fast track for entrepreneurs.
| Aspect | 2015 Reality | 2025 Reality |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing | Print, stamp, and wait four to six weeks | Apply online and get approval in 24–72 hours |
| Government Process | Manual checks, multiple office visits | 90 percent digital, updates online or WhatsApp |
| Banking | In-person, reference letters, long waits | Digital onboarding, e-KYC, accounts in days |
| Costs | High upfront, little flexibility | Modular packages, installment options |
| Free Zones | Fewer, generic, limited specialization | 40+ zones, industry-specific ecosystems |
| Corporate Tax | Zero, but uncertain long-term | 9 percent above AED 375k, clarity and trust |
| Founder Experience | “Patience tested” | “Speed meets certainty” |
The difference between 2015 and 2025 shows how far the UAE has come.
Technology Became the Backbone
The UAE invested in digital government. The shift from manual to digital processes has saved entrepreneurs weeks, even months.
Predictability Became a Magnet
Zero tax in 2015 was attractive but uncertain. A clear tax structure in 2025 is even more attractive because it signals stability. Entrepreneurs prefer clarity to uncertainty.
Ecosystems Grew Around Licenses
In 2015, a free zone gave you a license. In 2025, it gives you a community, accelerators, coworking spaces, and investor access.
The Real Cost of Waiting
If you delayed starting in 2015, you lost time and opportunity. In 2025, if you delay, you lose even more because the market is moving faster than ever.
In 2015, entrepreneurs leaned on agents to carry files between government counters. In 2025, entrepreneurs lean on partners who can navigate the fastest digital systems, choose the right free zone, and connect them to banks that actually deliver.
That is where Bizvisor comes in.
Bizvisor helps entrepreneurs:
Select the right jurisdiction from Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah, RAK, UAQ, or Fujairah.
Navigate licensing in days, not weeks.
Understand corporate tax from day one.
Access banking through trusted partners.
Build a growth strategy beyond incorporation.
What took months in 2015 now takes days in 2025, and Bizvisor makes sure of it.
Two doors. Two decades.
In 2015, starting a company in the UAE meant paperwork, delays, and higher costs.
In 2025, starting a company in the UAE means speed, transparency, and global access.
The real question is not whether you should start your UAE company. The question is: do you want to lose another decade before acting?
Step into the right side of the time machine.
Start your UAE company with Bizvisor today.
In absolute numbers, setup costs today are often lower and more flexible than in 2015. Back then, most free zones had rigid pricing, and you had to pay everything upfront. Today, you can find starter packages, freelancer licenses, and even installment payment options.
For example, in 2015 a trade license could easily cost AED 25,000 or more upfront. In 2025, entrepreneurs can start with packages as low as AED 6,000 to AED 10,000 depending on the free zone.
So yes, in most cases 2025 is cheaper, especially for small startups. But more importantly, it is transparent. You know exactly what you are paying for, and hidden fees are much less common.
Yes, and this is one of the biggest differences between 2015 and 2025.
In 2015, you had to be in Dubai to submit papers, sign documents, and visit government counters. In 2025, most free zones and even some mainland authorities allow remote incorporation. This means you can apply online, submit documents digitally, and even complete KYC for banking without ever flying in.
Entrepreneurs in India, Africa, Europe, or anywhere else can now launch their UAE business from home. This has made the UAE even more attractive for global founders.
There is no single “best” free zone, because it depends on your industry and business goals.
Dubai Free Zones like Meydan, IFZA, and DMCC are popular for international reach.
Ajman Free Zone is known for cost-effective packages.
Sharjah Media City (Shams) and Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) are perfect for media, publishing, and creative businesses.
RAK Free Zone is strong in trading and logistics.
UAQ Free Zone is cost-friendly for small companies.
Fujairah Free Zone works well for businesses needing port access.
In 2015, most free zones were generic. In 2025, you can pick one that aligns with your sector, which means better support and networking opportunities.
Not at all. The introduction of a 9 percent corporate tax above AED 375,000 profit in 2023 made the UAE more predictable, not less attractive.
In 2015, global investors worried that the zero-tax environment might change suddenly. In 2025, there is clarity. Entrepreneurs can plan with confidence. Also, the threshold means that small startups with profits under AED 375,000 pay zero tax.
So for many early-stage businesses, the UAE is still effectively tax-free. For larger businesses, 9 percent is still among the lowest in the world.
In 2015, bank account opening could take weeks, sometimes months. Foreign founders often faced endless delays and requests for more documents.
In 2025, thanks to digital-first banks like Wio and improved e-KYC systems, many accounts open in a matter of days. While traditional banks may still take longer for complex cases, the average timeline is far shorter.
For most entrepreneurs, banking is no longer the bottleneck it once was.
Even in 2025, entrepreneurs sometimes repeat mistakes from 2015:
Choosing the wrong license type because it is cheaper, only to realize later it does not cover their business activities.
Underestimating the importance of proper tax and compliance planning.
Delaying setup and losing valuable time while competitors move ahead.
Relying only on price comparisons instead of looking for the right ecosystem and support.
This is where working with partners like Bizvisor makes a difference. The right guidance saves not just money, but years of effort.
It depends on your business model.
Free zone is best if you want full ownership, low costs, and do not need to trade directly in the mainland UAE market. It is also great for international businesses.
Mainland is better if you plan to work with government contracts, need a physical presence in the UAE market, or want maximum flexibility.
In 2015, the distinction was rigid. In 2025, free zones have more flexibility, and mainland setups are smoother, so the choice is less about restrictions and more about strategy.
You did not miss anything. In fact, the golden window is now.
In 2015, the UAE was still building systems. Today, it has one of the fastest, most efficient company setup frameworks in the world. Add to that its position as a global hub between Asia, Africa, and Europe, plus tax clarity, and you get a market that is more attractive today than ever.
The only mistake would be to wait another 10 years.
2015 was about patience and persistence. 2025 is about speed and certainty. The journey of setting up a company in the UAE has transformed in just one decade.
With Bizvisor, you do not just enter the time machine. You step out on the right side, where opportunity is waiting.
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