Mainland Company Formation in Dubai

What is a Dubai mainland company?

A mainland company is a business licensed by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), formerly the Department of Economic Development (DED). Unlike a free zone company, it can trade directly with customers anywhere in the UAE, take premises in any commercial area, and contract with government entities. Most activities now allow 100% foreign ownership; a short list of strategic and regulated activities, such as banking, insurance and telecoms, still has ownership limits.

Mainland or free zone: which suits you?

Choose mainland if you will sell to UAE consumers or businesses, open a shop, restaurant or showroom, or bid for government work. Choose a free zone if most of your clients are abroad, you want the lowest annual cost, or you do not need a physical office. If you are unsure, our mainland vs free zone guide walks through the trade-offs.

Mainland licence types

Commercial licence

For buying, selling and trading activities, from e-commerce to import and export. Commercial and industrial licence holders also register with Dubai Chamber.

Professional licence

For service businesses and skilled professionals such as consultants, designers and IT specialists. Depending on the legal form, some professional licences still require a UAE national to act as a local service agent, with no ownership share; we confirm this for your activity before you apply.

Industrial licence

For manufacturing and processing, usually with extra approvals and suitable premises.

General trading licence

A commercial licence that covers a broad range of goods under one licence, suited to traders who deal in several product categories. It costs more than a single-activity trading licence. Ask us whether you need it.

Legal structures for a mainland company

Limited liability company (LLC)

The most common choice. One or more shareholders, liability limited to their shares, and up to 100% foreign ownership for most activities.

Sole establishment

One owner, trading under their own name, with unlimited personal liability. Common for professional licences.

Civil company

A partnership of professionals offering the same service, such as consultants or engineers.

Branch of a foreign or UAE company

An extension of an existing company, fully owned by the parent, which remains liable for its obligations.

How to set up a mainland company in Dubai, step by step

1. Choose your activity and legal structure. We match your business to DET’s activity list and confirm any ownership limits or external approvals.
2. Reserve your trade name. The name must follow DET naming rules; we check it before submission.
3. Get initial approval. DET confirms the activity, name and shareholders can proceed.
4. Draft and sign the memorandum of association. Signed in person, by remote notarisation or through a power of attorney.
5. Lease your office and register the Ejari. Your office size also shapes your visa quota.
6. Obtain external approvals if your activity needs them, for example from Dubai Municipality for food businesses.
7. Pay the fees and receive your trade licence.
8. Register with the immigration and labour authorities for your establishment card, then apply for visas and Emirates ID. Our visa and PRO services handle every submission.
9. Open your corporate bank account and register for corporate tax. We prepare the corporate bank account file while the licence is processing.

Documents you need

For individual shareholders and managers: passport copies, a passport photo, and a copy of any UAE visa or entry stamp. For corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles, a board resolution approving the Dubai company, and a power of attorney — legalised in the home country and attested in the UAE. DET or other authorities may ask for more depending on the activity.

Mainland company setup cost in Dubai

A mainland quote is built from the items below. Office rent, the number of visas and any external approvals make the biggest difference to the total.

Government fees change; your quote confirms the current figures. Estimate yours with the business setup cost calculator, or read the Dubai trade licence cost breakdown.

How long mainland company formation takes

Trade name reservation and initial approval come first and are usually quick. The licence follows once the memorandum of association is signed and the Ejari is registered. Visas, Emirates ID and the bank account come after the licence and take longer, and activities that need external approvals take longer still. Your quote sets out the current timing for each step.

Office, Ejari and visas

Every mainland licence needs a physical office address with a registered Ejari tenancy contract. Your visa quota depends largely on your office size and activity, so we size the office to the team you plan to hire. Investors, partners and employees can all be sponsored by the company.

Corporate tax and VAT for mainland companies

Mainland companies register for UAE corporate tax and pay 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it. Businesses with revenue up to AED 3 million can elect Small Business Relief for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2029. VAT registration is mandatory once taxable supplies and imports pass AED 375,000 in 12 months. See corporate tax registration and VAT registration.

After setup, the same team can renew your licence each year, along with your Ejari, visas and filings.