Why your final bill beats the advertised 'from' price — the establishment card, e-channel, visa stamping, medical and Emirates ID — and how to get a quote with none of it hidden.
Because the advertised "from AED X" licence is rarely the final bill. The costs most often left out are the establishment (immigration) card, e-channel registration, visa stamping, the medical test and Emirates ID, and per-visa processing — together frequently AED 4,000–9,000 more than the headline. None of these are optional if you want a working company with a visa. On Formenzo, you can compare published licence and visa scenarios; after review, we show the authority line items, inclusions, exclusions and validity in writing before payment.
| Hidden item | Why it's charged | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Establishment / immigration card | Required before anyone can be sponsored for a visa | AED 1,500–2,600 |
| E-channel registration | Mandatory immigration portal deposit/registration | AED 2,000–2,600 |
| Visa stamping (per visa) | Entry permit + status change + stamping | AED 3,000–6,000 |
| Medical test + Emirates ID (per person) | Compulsory for each residence visa | AED 700–1,000 |
| Name / activity add-ons | Extra activities or a non-standard trade name | AED 0–2,000 |
| "Express" / urgent fees | Charged to speed up a normal timeline | situational |
| Year-2 renewal | Quoted low for year 1, jumps at renewal | ask up front |
Indicative ranges that vary by free zone — the point isn't the exact figure, it's that an honest quote names them before you pay. We confirm yours in writing.
"From AED 5,750" almost always means a zero-visa licence with nothing added. It's a real number — but if you need even one residence visa, the establishment card, e-channel, medical, Emirates ID and stamping all switch on at once. That's how a AED 5,750 headline becomes a AED 13,000+ reality. The figure isn't wrong; it's just incomplete. See the real published scenarios by visa count instead of the teaser.
A favourite tactic is a low first-year price that quietly resets higher at renewal. Always ask for the year-2 renewal cost in writing before you commit — a one-time discount that doubles next year isn't a saving. Formenzo shows the real recurring picture, not just a launch number.
That's the whole reason Formenzo exists: each price is presented as a published scenario; after review, authority line items, inclusions, exclusions and validity are confirmed in writing before payment, and we never cold-call. Compare all 9 zones, hidden-cost-free, on the live comparison or run the cost calculator.
After review, see the confirmed authority itemisation and validity date in writing before payment. No callback, no pressure.
The costs most often left out of an advertised price are the establishment (immigration) card, e-channel registration, visa stamping, the medical test and Emirates ID, plus per-visa processing — together frequently AED 4,000–9,000 more than the headline 'from' figure. None are optional once you add a residence visa.
Because 'from AED X' usually describes a zero-visa licence with nothing added. The moment you need a visa, the establishment card, e-channel, medical, Emirates ID and stamping all apply — so an honest quote includes them up front rather than after you commit.
Ask for a single written itemised quote (licence + establishment card + e-channel + your visa block), get it in writing, ask specifically what's excluded, confirm the year-2 renewal cost before paying, and compare zones on the same visa count. Avoid anyone who needs a sales call to discuss pricing.
It can be. A common tactic is a low first-year price that resets higher at renewal. Always ask for the year-2 renewal figure in writing before committing to year 1.
Formenzo publishes licence and visa comparison scenarios. Before payment, the reviewed portal provides written authority line items, inclusions, exclusions, requirements and validity, with no cold-calling.
