How to Choose a Business Setup Company in Dubai: 10 Questions + Red Flags

<h2>Why this matters</h2><p>Dubai has hundreds of setup consultants — from giants like Virtuzone and Creative Zone to boutiques like us. Most are legitimate; the difference between a great and a painful experience is usually discovered <em>after</em> payment. These questions surface it before.</p><h2>The 10 questions</h2><ol><li><strong>Is your quote all-inclusive to Emirates ID in hand?</strong> Licence, establishment card, e-channel, entry permit, change status, medical, biometrics, EID — itemised in writing.</li><li><strong>What will my year-2 renewal cost?</strong> If they won't put renewal pricing in writing, the year-1 price is bait.</li><li><strong>Which free zones do you actually compare?</strong> Ask how they're compensated — many are tied agents of 2–3 zones.</li><li><strong>Who exactly will handle my file?</strong> A named consultant with a direct number, or a queue?</li><li><strong>What happens if my visa or bank application is rejected?</strong> Reprocessing fees and refund policy in writing.</li><li><strong>Can you show DED/mainland capability, not just free zone?</strong> If you may need <a href='/en/business-setup/mainland'>mainland</a> later, your consultant must handle DED, MOA and <a href='/en/blog/mainland/ded-cafee-explained-dubai'>CAFEE</a>.</li><li><strong>Do you do PRO work in-house?</strong> Post-setup life is MOHRE, GDRFA, Tawjeeh, quotas — outsourced PRO means slow answers. (<a href='/en/visa-services/pro-services'>Ours is in-house</a>.)</li><li><strong>What's excluded?</strong> Make them list exclusions explicitly.</li><li><strong>Can I speak to two recent clients?</strong> Or at least see recent, detailed Google reviews (not just star counts).</li><li><strong>Will you tell me if I don't need you?</strong> The best consultants sometimes say 'do this one yourself' — see our <a href='/en/blog/entrepreneurship/business-setup-consultant-vs-diy-dubai'>DIY guide</a>.</li></ol><h2>Red flags</h2><ul><li>WhatsApp quotes with a single number and no breakdown</li><li>'Today-only' discounts and countdown pressure</li><li>A different, higher 'government fee' appearing after signature</li><li>No physical office you can visit</li></ul><h2>Put us through the test</h2><p>We built this checklist because we pass it: fixed itemised quotes, named consultant, in-house PRO, office at 91 Sheikh Zayed Road you can walk into. <a href='/en/contact'>Book a free consultation</a> and bring the 10 questions.</p>