BUSINESS SETUP & PRO SERVICES

Mainland company formation in Dubai

A Dubai mainland license lets you trade anywhere in the UAE, open a shop or office for the public and bid for government work. Most setups start at around AED 13,000, with our service fee included.

Get my mainland cost Estimate my cost

Around AED 13,000Starting cost, our fee included

100% ownershipFor most activities

Trade anywhereAcross the whole UAE

Dubai DETLicensing authority

Response within 15 minutes during working hours

What a mainland company is

Licensed by Dubai itself, with no limits on where you trade

A mainland company gets its license from Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism, which many people still call the DED. You can sell to any customer anywhere in the UAE, rent a shop or office in any area and work with government entities.

For most activities you can own 100% of the company yourself. A small number of activities still need a local service agent. That person holds no shares in your company. They're paid a fixed yearly fee and help with certain government paperwork.

We handle the full setup. We map your activity to the right license, reserve the name, arrange the office and Ejari, get the license issued and open your immigration file so you can apply for visas.

Activity comes first. The activity you choose decides the license type, the office you need and whether any other authority has to approve you. Getting it right at the start saves you from paying for an amendment later.

Who should choose a mainland company

If your customers are in the UAE, this is usually the right license

You sell directly to customers or companies inside the UAE
You need a shop, restaurant, clinic, salon or showroom that the public visits
You work in contracting, maintenance or any job done on the client's site
You want to bid for government projects
You plan to hire staff and grow your team in the UAE

When a free zone may suit you better

If all your clients are outside the UAE and you want the lowest cost in the first year, a free zone company is often cheaper. You'd be paying for local market access you don't use. If you're not sure, our mainland vs free zone consultation gives you a written answer.

Mainland license types

Your activity decides which one you get

License	For
Commercial license	Buying and selling goods, trading, retail, e-commerce and most general business. More on commercial licenses
Professional license	Services based on skill or qualification, such as consulting, marketing, design and IT services. More on professional licenses
Industrial license	Manufacturing, processing and production. More on industrial licenses

You can usually combine related activities on one license. Some combinations aren't allowed together, and we check this before anything is filed.

Documents you need for a mainland company

Short list, but names must match exactly

Most delays come from two things: documents from abroad that aren't attested, and names spelled differently on the passport and the application. We check both before we submit.

Who	Documents we need
Every shareholder and the manager	Clear passport copy with at least six months' validity, and a passport photo on a white background.
Shareholders in the UAE	Emirates ID and residence visa copy, or the visit visa or entry stamp page if you're here on a visit. If your visa is with an employer, a no objection letter may be needed.
The company	Three trade name options in order of preference, and a clear description of what the business will do.
The office	A tenancy contract registered with Ejari. If you don't have an office yet, we help you find one that fits your activity and budget.
A company as shareholder	Certificate of incorporation, memorandum of association and a board resolution. Documents issued outside the UAE need attestation and legal translation.
Regulated activities	Attested qualification certificates, and approval from the relevant authority, for example DHA for health or KHDA for education.

We send you the exact list for your activity before any fee is paid.

How mainland company formation works

Eight steps, usually 5 to 12 working days

This timeline assumes your documents are complete and your activity doesn't need approval from another authority. Activities that do need one take longer, depending on that authority.

Step	What happens	Typical time
1. Activity and structureAlmotmaken	We match your activity to the right license and company type, and send you the total cost in writing.	1 working day
2. Trade name and initial approvalDET	Your trade name is reserved and DET confirms it has no objection to your activity.	1 to 2 working days
3. MOANotary	For an LLC, the memorandum of association is drafted in Arabic and English and signed before a notary.	1 to 2 working days
4. Office and EjariEjari	Your tenancy contract is registered. The office size affects how many visas the company can sponsor.	1 to 3 working days
5. Other approvalsSector authority	Only if your activity needs one, for example health, education, food or transport.	Depends on authority
6. License issuedDET	Fees are paid and your trade license is issued. The company now legally exists.	1 to 2 working days
7. Establishment cardImmigration and MOHRE	We open your immigration and labour files, which you need before applying for any visa, including your own.	2 to 4 working days
8. HandoverAlmotmaken	You receive the license, MOA, establishment card and your portal logins.	Same day

After this, we can start your investor or partner visa and help with your corporate bank account.

Mainland company formation cost

Around AED 13,000 to start, and there is no fixed price

A Dubai mainland license usually starts at around AED 13,000, including our service fee. Mainland doesn't have fixed packages like free zones do, so your total depends on your own setup.

These are the things that change the total:

Your activity, and whether it needs approval from another authority
The office you choose, and its yearly rent
The company type, for example a sole establishment or an LLC
How many visas you need, and when
Whether you need a local service agent for your activity

Use our mainland cost calculator for a quick estimate. Then send us your activity and visa count, and we'll give you one total price in writing, with our service fee already included.

The license, the Ejari and your Chamber of Commerce membership renew every year. Our license renewal service keeps track of the dates for you.

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers on Dubai mainland company formation, cost, ownership, office and visas.

How much does a Dubai mainland company cost?

Most setups start at around AED 13,000, including our service fee. There's no fixed price for mainland, because the total depends on your activity, your office and how many visas you need. We give you one total figure in writing before you start.

Can I own 100% of a mainland company?

Yes, for most activities. A small number of activities still need a local service agent. The agent owns no shares and has no say in your business. They're paid a fixed fee to support certain government paperwork.

Do I need an office for a mainland license?

Yes. A mainland company needs a tenancy registered with Ejari that suits its activity, for example a shop for retail or an office for services. The office also decides how many visas you can apply for, so we plan it around your hiring, not just the license.

How long does mainland company formation take?

Usually 5 to 12 working days when your documents are ready and your activity doesn't need another authority's approval. Health, education, food and some other activities need that extra approval, which adds time.

Is it easier to open a bank account with a mainland company?

Often, yes. Banks like to see a real office and local business activity, and a mainland company usually has both. It still depends on your profile and activity, so we prepare your file before we approach the bank.

What do I have to renew every year?

The trade license, the Ejari tenancy and your Chamber of Commerce membership. Visas renew on their own dates. Missing a renewal leads to fines, so we remind our clients well before each date.

Tell us your activity and how many visas you need

We'll confirm the right license and office for your business and send you one total price in writing, with our service fee included.

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