Business setup · Mainland
Mainland Company Setup in Dubai and the UAE
Trade anywhere in the UAE, work with government entities and open your own shop or office. We take your mainland licence from trade name to visas.
Trade across the UAE100% ownership for most activitiesGovernment contracts
Overview
Why go mainland?
A mainland company is licensed by the economic department of the emirate where it is based, such as the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai. It can sell directly to customers and businesses anywhere in the UAE, open branches across the emirates and take part in government tenders.
Since 2021, most commercial and industrial activities allow 100% foreign ownership, so a local partner is no longer needed in most cases. A small number of strategic activities still have conditions, and some activities need approvals from other authorities. We check all of this before you apply.
What you get
What a mainland licence gives you
No market limits
Sell to any customer in any emirate, online or offline.
Full ownership
100% foreign ownership for most activities, with no local sponsor.
Government work
Eligible for government and semi-government contracts.
More visas
Your visa quota grows with your office space.
Multiple activities
Combine related activities on one licence.
Branches anywhere
Open branches across the UAE as you grow.
How it works
How we set up your mainland company
01
Activity & legal form
We confirm your activities, the legal form (such as an LLC or sole establishment) and any external approvals.
02
Trade name & initial approval
We reserve the trade name and obtain initial approval from the economic department.
03
Office & documents
You choose an office with a registered tenancy contract (Ejari in Dubai), and we draft the memorandum of association.
04
Licence, visas & bank
The licence is issued, then we handle the establishment card, visas and bank account.
Checklist
Documents you will need
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- Passport-size photos
- Visa or entry stamp for UAE residents
- Proposed trade names (three options)
- Tenancy contract for the office
- Corporate documents if a shareholder is a company
Setup cost estimator
Get a free estimate
Starting estimate in AED. A specialist confirms your exact quote within one working day.
Do I need a local partner for a mainland company?
Not for most activities. Since the Commercial Companies Law changes in 2021, many activities allow 100% foreign ownership. We confirm the rules for your activity before you apply.
Do I need a physical office?
Yes. A mainland company needs a registered office with a tenancy contract. Business centres offer cost-effective options, and the size of your office affects your visa quota.
How long does it take?
Usually one to three weeks from complete documents to licence, depending on the activity and approvals.
Can a mainland company work in free zones?
Yes. A mainland company can trade with free zone companies and customers anywhere in the UAE.
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Don’t wait.
Just start.
Book a free consultation and get a clear plan for your UAE company: structure, timeline and cost.