Setting up a Dubai mainland company means you’re licensed directly by the Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) and can trade anywhere in Dubai, across the UAE, and globally without the jurisdiction limits of a free zone.
Mainland is now more attractive than ever thanks to major reforms
- 100% foreign ownership is allowed for most commercial and industrial activities (no 51% local partner for many sectors).
- DED acts as the main licensing authority for commercial, professional and tourism- related licences in Dubai.
- The new Dubai Unified Licence (DUL) dramatically cuts business bank account opening time from around 65 days to about 5-10 days, integrating your licence data with banks and government platforms.
For many founders, Dubai mainland is the go-to option when they want retail outlets, restaurants, on-the-ground services, B2B contracts and government tenders – all under one flexible structure.
Step-by-Step Dubai Mainland Setup Process
The process is straightforward when managed correctly
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1. Define your business activity
Choose from DET’s catalogue of professional, commercial, industrial and tourism activities. The legal form must match your activity.
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2. Choose your legal structure
Common mainland options include LLC, Sole Establishment, Civil Company and Branch (local, GCC or foreign).
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3. Reserve your trade name
The name must be unique, non-offensive and compliant with UAE naming rules.
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4. Apply for initial approval
Activity details and shareholder information. DET issues an initial approval confirming there are no objections to your business.
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5. Prepare MOA / LSA and tenancy (Ejari)
Draft and notarise your Memorandum of Association (for LLCs)
Secure an office or shop lease and register Ejari, as a physical address is usually mandatory. -
6. Submit final licence application & pay fees
Upload all documents to DET and settle government fees. Once approved, you receive your trade licence and company registration.
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7. Get Dubai Unified Licence (DUL), visas & bank account
Your unified licence profile helps you open a corporate bank account in around five days with participating banks. Then we process investor and employee visas, labour cards and Emirates IDs.
Our consultancy orchestrates all of this with you via a single point of contact, so you’re not bouncing between multiple portals and authorities.
Step-by-Step Dubai Mainland Setup Process
The process is straightforward when managed correctly
Our consultancy orchestrates all of this with you via a single point of contact, so you’re not bouncing between multiple portals and authorities.
Legal Forms & Licence Types
Common legal forms on Dubai mainland
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
The standard for most commercial and industrial businesses
Sole Establishment
Ideal for single-owner professional or small service businesses
Civil
Company
Often used by professionals (consultants, engineers, doctors, etc.)
Branch of Foreign or GCC Company
For international or regional groups expanding into Dubai
Key DET licence categories
Commercial Licence
Trading, contracting, ecommerce, retail
Professional Licence
Consulting, services, education, medical, design, etc.
Industrial Licence
Manufacturing and industrial activities
Tourism & related licences
Travel agencies, tour operators, hospitality-focused entities
We help you bundle your actual and planned services into the right activity mix, minimising costly amendments later.
Why Choose Dubai Mainland Over a Free Zone?
Dubai mainland gives you maximum commercial freedom
On the tax side, mainland companies fall fully under UAE Corporate Tax generally 9% on business profits over AED 375,000, subject to current rules. Unlike free zones, there is no “qualifying income” 0% regime, but you gain trading flexibility and access to the entire local market.
Documents, Timelines & Cost Insights
Core documentation
- Passport, visa page and passport-size photo of owners and managers
- Emirates ID (if resident), and in some cases NOC from current sponsor
- Draft MOA / Civil Company contract / LSA agreement
- Tenancy contract + Ejari for your office or shop
- For branches: parent company trade licence, MOA, board resolution and registry extracts
Typical timelines
- Name reservation & initial approval: often a few working days
- Full licence issuance: commonly 1–2 weeks from complete file, depending on activity and external approvals (e.g., health, education, engineering).
Indicative cost range
Mainland company setup costs typically start around AED 15,000, including licence, basic office and permits, with mainland often sitting slightly higher than free zones due to office and regulatory requirements. Actual fees vary widely by activity (e.g., general trading vs. consultancy vs. restaurant), office size, and number of visas.
Who Dubai Mainland is Ideal For
Dubai mainland is an excellent fit if you are
If your model is mostly online, cross-border or B2B outside the UAE, we’ll compare mainland vs free zone with you before you decide.
FAQs
Yes. Recent changes to the Commercial Companies Law mean investors of all nationalities can fully own mainland companies in most sectors, without a mandatory 51% local partner. Some strategic activities remain restricted or require specific approvals.
For many commercial and industrial activities, no. For certain professional activities, a UAE national may act as a local service agent (LSA) with no shareholding but a service fee; this depends on the activity and current rules.
Visa eligibility usually depends on office size and business activity more space generally allows more visas. This can be more flexible than in many free zones.
Entry-level costs can be higher because of mandatory office/retail space, Ejari, and certain government fees, but for businesses that need UAE-wide trading and physical presence, mainland can be more economical long term.
Generally, 12 weeks
Pro Tips for a Smooth Dubai Mainland Setup
- Start with your business model, not just licence cost. If you need shops, on-site teams and UAE tenders, mainland usually wins.
- Map your activities properly to DET’s official list from day one – avoid vague or mismatched activities that cause banks or regulators to ask questions later.
- Use our expertise to structure for UAE Corporate Tax, so your profits, salaries and cross-border transactions are optimised and compliant.
- Leverage the Dubai Unified License system: having a clean, consistent digital profile across government and banking makes everything from account opening to future expansions faster.
