Business Setup in Dubai for Women: Step-by-Step for Expats

If you're a woman living in the UAE or planning to move soon, and you’ve been dreaming of starting your own business — this is your moment. Dubai is not only a land of opportunity but one of the safest, most supportive environments for women entrepreneurs, especially expats who want to build something of their own.  At Homepreneurs Club, we’ve supported 160+ women from different parts of the world who’ve turned ideas into real businesses—right here in the UAE. Let’s break down exactly how you can do it too.

Step 1: Clarify Your Business Idea

Before diving into documents and licenses, get clear on:

• What problem do you solve?

• Who is your ideal customer in Dubai/UAE?

• Do you want to sell products, offer services, or work online?

✨Tip: The more niche your idea, the easier it is to stand out.

Step 2: Choose the Right Business Structure

You’ll need to register your company under a specific structure. These are the most common for expats:

1. Free Zone Company

• 100% foreign ownership

• Ideal for solo entrepreneurs & online businesses

• Quick and affordable setup

• Great if you don’t need a physical office

Popular Free Zones:

• Meydan Free Zone

• IFZA

• SHAMS

2. Mainland (DED) Company

• More flexibility to operate across the UAE

• Required if you need a physical store or want to work with government clients

• Some activities may need local service agents

Our Club Tip: Many women in Homepreneurs start with a Free Zone setup and later expand to DED when needed.

Step 3: Prepare the Required Documents

You’ll typically need:

• Passport copy

• Business name options

• Description of your activity

• Passport-size photo

• Residence visa or tourist visa (varies based on zone)

Don’t worry—we can connect you with setup consultants inside the Club who can guide you without overwhelming you.

Step 4: Register Your Business

Once you’ve chosen your zone:

• Submit your application

• Pay your license fees.

• Get your business license within a few days

Most Free Zones allow you to complete everything remotely, which is perfect if you're just planning your move to Dubai.

Step 5: Open a Business Bank Account

A business license alone isn’t enough—you’ll need a business bank account to:

• Accept payments

• Track expenses

• Apply for payment gateways or loans

Recommended Banks:

• Wio Bank (ideal for digital-first businesses)

• Mashreq Neo

• Emirates NBD

• Commercial Bank of Dubai

🔗 Hot Tip: Check out our blog on “5 UAE Banks Offering Zero-Balance Business Accounts”

Step 6: Set Up Your Online Presence

Once you’re legal and bank-ready, it’s time to launch publicly.

Set up:

• A professional Instagram profile

• A free Google Business profile

• A simple one-page website using Wix, Notion, or Kajabi. We use Kajabi at our agency — it’s great for building websites, managing content, and even selling digital products or courses.

• A ManyChat automation to handle leads and enquiries (yes, it works wonders!). We use ManyChat at our agency too — it’s one of the most efficient tools we recommend for automating conversations and capturing leads, even while you sleep.

Step 7: Join a Supportive Network (Don’t Skip This!)

Doing business in a new country—especially as a woman—can be lonely without the right community. That’s why we created Homepreneurs Club—a safe, supportive network for women like you.

Inside the Club, you get:

• Access to startup experts

• Funding advice

• Networking opportunities

• Real women cheering you on

• Clients, collaborators, and long-term friends

  We also host monthly in-person networking events across the UAE — giving our members the space to connect, collaborate, and even showcase their products or services. Check out the link here for the upcoming events list: 

✅ You Don’t Need to Have it All Figured Out

You just need to start. If you need a step-by-step structure and expert support to grow without burnout, check out our signature program.

Biz School — Learn how to build and grow your business the smart way.
Or…Join Homepreneurs Club — Connect with 160+ women entrepreneurs and build your dream in Dubai.

Disclaimer -
 

Keeping It Real: Hey, just a heads-up! Some links in this blog are affiliate links, which means if you grab something awesome, we might get a tiny commission—at zero extra cost to you! But don’t worry, we only recommend stuff we actually love and use (no shady sales vibes here 😆). Think of it as helping us fuel our coffee addiction while we keep bringing you top-notch business tips! 💜