Fast setup
One customer said their visa and licence were completed in 8/9 days.
Business Bay
Smart Zones® UAE is a business management consultant in Business Bay helping entrepreneurs with UAE company formation and related paperwork. Reviews specifically mention support for mainland and free-zone setups, freelance licences, residence visas and opening a UAE bank account, with experiences ranging from very smooth to seriously frustrating.
Source: Google Maps
One customer said their visa and licence were completed in 8/9 days.
Consultation reviews describe step-by-step explanations and detailed answers about starting a business in Dubai.
A customer received guidance through opening a bank account alongside a UAE free-zone business setup.
One review says the team helped make opening a branch in Dubai smooth and efficient.
A customer reported obtaining a residence visa in a very short span, with communication described as convenient.
Taxation and accounting support was praised for clear communication and timely filings.
A review reports assistance with a freelance licence from start to finish in less than one month.
Check NOC terms. Before signing, ask whether renewal requires an NOC and whether a separate fee applies; one customer reported an undisclosed AED 5,000 charge.
Limit prepayment. Clarify refund terms before paying in advance, as one review says AED 21,783 for unused work remained outstanding.
Set deadlines. Get licence and visa timelines in writing, since reviews range from 8/9 days for both to a visa taking 56 days.
Keep messages. Save written requests and follow-ups, especially for visa support or company details; one customer says repeated messages received no reply.
Confirm contacts. Ask for the company’s registered email and phone number at setup and confirm who will handle later requests.
Plan the visit
| Mon | 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM |
| Tue | 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM |
| Wed | 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM |
| Thu | 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM |
| Fri | 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM |
| Sat | 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM |
| Sun | Closed |
Two recent reviews allege that an NOC needed for renewal was withheld unless an additional AED 5,000 was paid.
One customer says a visa request made on March 9 still had no response or quotation three months later.
A customer reported that their trade licence took much longer than expected to be issued.
A review alleges that AED 21,783 paid in advance for unused work had not been returned.
Some reviews describe slow work, little communication and poor handling of new customers.
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
NOC required for trade license renewal
“What is even more alarming is that when I requested an NOC to deal directly with IFZA, I was asked to pay AED 5,000 for it — in addition to the renewal fees”Google review · February 2026
The Bottom Line
Smart Zones® UAE is a Business Bay consultancy focused on helping people establish and maintain companies in the UAE. Reviews mention company setup, mainland and free-zone work, freelance licences, residence visas, branch openings and bank-account support. Several customers describe step-by-step guidance that made a complicated setup feel manageable, while others praise quick outcomes, including one visa-and-licence process completed in 8/9 days and a freelance licence handled in less than a month.
The strongest pattern is capable, hands-on support when a particular consultant takes ownership. Customers describe detailed consultations, convenient communication and help with a free-zone bank account, and one customer says the team helped open a Dubai branch smoothly. Taxation and accounting support also received praise for clear communication and timely filings.
There is a serious counterpoint. Recent reviews allege slow licence issuance, unanswered follow-ups and a visa request left without a quotation for three months. Two customers objected to being unable to deal directly with IFZA without an NOC and allege an additional AED 5,000 fee that was not disclosed.
Before committing, get renewal, NOC, refund and payment terms in writing, and avoid assuming that an initially smooth setup guarantees equally responsive aftercare.