Business Support Services in Dubai: Complete Directory

BABy the Bizstart Team • Reviewed August 2026 • 10 min read

Beyond company formation, running a UAE business requires accounting, tax compliance, banking, legal documentation, and ongoing government liaison. This hub connects you to every support service Bizstart offers, with costs and scope for each.

10+ servicesCovered in this directory

Ongoing supportMonthly and annual packages

All jurisdictionsFree zone, mainland, offshore

Bizstart handles itEnd-to-end service

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Service Directory

Bizstart provides business support services across compliance (accounting, corporate tax, VAT), documentation (attestation, translation, trademark), operations (office space, bank account, payroll), and government liaison (PRO services, import/export registration).

Service	What it covers	Indicative cost
PRO services	Government liaison, visa processing, document clearing	AED 500 – AED 2,000/month
Accounting	Bookkeeping, financial statements, audit preparation	AED 500 – AED 3,000/month
Corporate tax	CT registration, quarterly/annual filing, compliance	AED 2,000 – AED 10,000/year
VAT	VAT registration, return filing, compliance reviews	AED 1,500 – AED 5,000/year
Bank account	Business account opening, documentation preparation	AED 1,500 – AED 5,000
Attestation	MOFA attestation, apostille, embassy legalisation	AED 500 – AED 2,000 per document
Translation	Legal translation (Arabic/English), certified documents	AED 100 – AED 300 per page
Trademark	UAE trademark search, registration, renewal	AED 5,000 – AED 10,000
Office space	Flexi-desks, private offices, co-working, virtual offices	AED 500 – AED 5,000/month
Payroll	WPS-compliant payroll, end-of-service calculations	AED 50 – AED 150 per employee/month

Compliance Services

The UAE requires businesses to maintain proper accounting records, register for corporate tax (if above the threshold), and file VAT returns (if VAT-registered). Non-compliance results in penalties. Bizstart's compliance services keep your business current with all regulatory requirements.

Accounting and bookkeeping

Accounting services range from basic bookkeeping (recording transactions, bank reconciliation) to full financial management (financial statements, management reporting, audit preparation). Monthly packages start from AED 500 for small businesses with minimal transactions.

Corporate tax

Since June 2023, UAE businesses with taxable income above AED 375,000 are subject to 9% corporate tax. Corporate tax services include registration with the FTA, calculating taxable income, preparing and filing tax returns, and ensuring compliance with transfer pricing rules.

Do all UAE businesses need to file corporate tax?

All businesses subject to corporate tax must register with the Federal Tax Authority and file annual returns, even if their taxable income is below the threshold (in which case the tax payable is zero). Free zone companies with qualifying income may be exempt but must still register and file. Failure to register or file on time incurs penalties.

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Document Services

UAE business operations frequently require attested documents, certified translations, and registered trademarks. Bizstart handles the full lifecycle of each document process, from application to delivery.

Attestation

Document attestation is required for foreign documents (educational certificates, marriage certificates, powers of attorney) to be legally recognised in the UAE. The process involves notarisation in the country of origin, embassy attestation, and MOFA attestation in the UAE.

Legal translation

Legal translation is required when documents are not in Arabic. The UAE legal system operates in Arabic, so contracts, court submissions, government applications, and official correspondence must be in Arabic. Certified translators produce legally valid Arabic translations.

Do I need a trademark to operate a business?

Trademark registration is not legally required to operate a business in the UAE, but it is strongly recommended. Without a registered trademark, you have limited legal recourse if another business uses your brand name or logo. Trademark registration protects your brand in the UAE and provides the legal basis for enforcement.

Operations Support

Day-to-day operations require physical workspace, banking, payroll processing, and ongoing government liaison. These operational needs are common to all UAE businesses regardless of jurisdiction or activity type.

Bank account opening

Opening a business bank account in the UAE is a critical post-formation step. Banks have different requirements for free zone and mainland companies, and the application process involves document submission, compliance checks, and (often) a personal visit. Bizstart prepares your documentation and coordinates with the bank to streamline the process.

Office and workspace

Office solutions range from virtual office addresses (for businesses that do not need physical space) to flexi-desks, shared offices, and private offices. The choice depends on your business activity, visa requirements, and operational needs. Some free zones include office space in the licence package.

Do I need a PRO service?

A PRO (Public Relations Officer) service handles government paperwork: visa applications, document clearing, licence renewals, and regulatory filings. While you can do this yourself, the complexity of UAE government processes and the time involved make a PRO service a practical investment for most businesses.

Common questions

Business Services: Frequently Asked Questions

Which services do I need when starting a new business?

At minimum, you need PRO services (for visa processing and government liaison), bank account opening assistance, and accounting services (to maintain the records required by UAE law). Corporate tax registration is also mandatory if your business is subject to corporate tax.

Additional services depend on your situation: if you are importing goods, you need import/export registration. If you have employees, you need payroll services. Bizstart assesses your specific needs during the initial consultation.

Can I handle these services myself?

Technically, yes. UAE government services are increasingly digitalised, and many processes can be completed online. However, the complexity of UAE regulations (particularly corporate tax, VAT, and employment law), the Arabic-language requirements, and the time involved in government processes make professional services a practical choice for most businesses.

The cost of non-compliance (late filing penalties, incorrect tax returns, visa processing errors) typically exceeds the cost of professional services. Most businesses find that outsourcing compliance and documentation frees time to focus on operations.

How much do business support services cost in total?

A typical small business (1 to 5 employees) spends AED 2,000 to AED 5,000 per month on combined business support services (accounting, PRO, payroll). A medium business (10 to 50 employees) spends AED 5,000 to AED 15,000 per month. One-off services (attestation, trademark, bank account opening) are separate costs.

Bizstart offers bundled packages that reduce the total cost compared to purchasing each service individually. The exact cost depends on the number of transactions, employees, and the complexity of your business activities.

Do free zone companies need the same services as mainland companies?

Most services apply to both free zone and mainland companies. The main differences are: mainland companies need a local PRO service more urgently (government processes are more complex), and mainland companies may have different corporate tax obligations (free zone qualifying income may be tax-exempt).

Accounting, VAT, bank account opening, and document services are identical for both jurisdictions. Payroll requirements (WPS compliance) are the same. The operational differences are in the specifics of each process, not in whether you need the service.

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