Company Formation · Dubai Mainland

Dubai Mainland Company Formation

Set up a DED-licensed mainland company with 100% foreign ownership for most activities. From trade license and Ejari office to residence visas and your corporate bank account, one team handles it end to end.

Licensed CSP
50+ yrs combined experience
15+ jurisdictions

Business Bay skyline in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Setup time: 3-4 weeks (license + basic setup)
Foreign ownership: 100% (most activities)
Min. capital: No statutory minimum for most LLCs
License types: Professional · Commercial · Industrial · Tourism
Residence visa: Yes (investor & staff)
Regulator: Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET)

Why Choose Dubai Mainland for Company Formation?

Dubai mainland offers direct access to the UAE market and the widest range of permitted activities:

Direct Market Access. Trade directly with the UAE mainland market without customs clearance requirements

100% Foreign Ownership. Available for most professional, commercial, and industrial activities without a local sponsor

Flexible Business Activities. A wider range of permitted activities compared to most free zones

Government Contracts. Eligibility to bid for government and public sector contracts

No Trade Restrictions. No restrictions on trading with other mainland entities across the UAE

Residence Visas. Sponsor UAE residence visas and Emirates ID for shareholders, directors, and employees

Strategic Location. Access to Dubai’s world-class business infrastructure and regional markets

Competitive Tax Regime. UAE Corporate Tax at a competitive rate with applicable thresholds and reliefs

Want to explore the benefits?

Company Formation Options in Dubai Mainland

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Min. capital: No fixed minimum
Shareholders: 1-50
Best for: Most foreign investors, SMEs, trading and service companies

Sole Establishment

Min. capital: No minimum
Shareholders: Single owner
Best for: Individual professionals and consultants

Branch of Foreign Company

Min. capital: None required
Shareholders: Parent-owned
Best for: Foreign companies extending operations into the UAE

Civil Company

Min. capital: No minimum
Shareholders: Professional partners
Best for: Professional partnerships (legal, accounting, engineering)

Key Business Districts for Company Formation

Business Bay

Central commercial district. Ideal for corporate headquarters, professional services, and trading firms.

Deira

Traditional trading heartland near the Creek and ports. Ideal for trading, wholesale, and import/export.

Sheikh Zayed Road

Prime corporate corridor. Ideal for visible head offices, consultancies, and established commercial operations.

Note: Costs are indicative and may change with your requirements and regulations. Contact us for a tailored quote.

Business Licensing in Dubai Mainland

Business licensing in Dubai mainland is administered by the Department of Economic Development (DED), part of the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The process runs from trade name reservation and initial approval, through securing premises and registering the lease with Ejari, to issuing the trade license that establishes your legal identity. After licensing, businesses complete UAE Corporate Tax and VAT registration where applicable and meet ESR and UBO obligations. For most activities, foreign investors can now hold 100% ownership without a local sponsor.

Common Business License Types

Professional License. Consulting, legal, accounting, engineering, medical, and other professional services; typically requires relevant qualifications.

Commercial License. Trading, import/export, retail, wholesale, distribution, and general trading activities.

Industrial License. Manufacturing, production, and processing, often requiring industrial premises and sector approvals.

Tourism License. Travel, tourism, and hospitality activities, regulated by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

Core Requirements and Documents

Corporate documentation: attested passport copies of shareholders and directors, proof of address, and bank reference letters
Premises and Ejari: a lease agreement registered with Ejari before the trade license is issued (office size varies by activity and visa count)
Activity approvals: educational certificates for professional licenses, plus any sector-specific approvals for regulated activities

Last reviewed: June 2026. Reflects current DED / DET licensing, Ejari, and UAE Corporate Tax requirements.

Dubai Mainland Company Formation Process

From trade name reservation and DED approval to Ejari office registration and your trade license, here is the step-by-step path.

Activity, Trade Name, and Initial Approval (DET)

We confirm your business activity and legal form (LLC, sole establishment, civil company, or branch), reserve a compliant trade name, and secure initial approval from the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DED). Where your activity is regulated, we obtain the relevant sector approvals, and we arrange any pre-approval the immigration authority requires for foreign shareholders before the file proceeds.

Memorandum of Association and Notarisation

We draft the Memorandum of Association (MOA) setting out shareholding, management, and governance, then have it signed by all shareholders and notarised before a UAE Notary Public (or at Dubai Courts). Shareholders can attend in person or appoint us through a power of attorney to act on their behalf.

Premises and Ejari Tenancy Registration

Mainland companies require physical premises. We help you secure suitable office space and register the tenancy with Ejari, Dubai's lease registration system. A registered Ejari lease is a condition for issuing the trade license.

DET Trade License Issuance

We settle the licensing fees and the Department of Economy and Tourism issues your trade license, the document that legally establishes the company and authorises it to operate in the chosen activities across the UAE mainland.

Establishment Card, Residence Visas, and Emirates ID

We open the establishment card and labour file with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE), then process residence visas for shareholders, directors, and staff through the immigration authority (GDRFA in Dubai, coordinated with the ICP). Each visa is paired with the medical, biometrics, and Emirates ID issuance.

Corporate Bank Account and Tax Registration

We prepare the KYC pack and support corporate bank account opening with a UAE bank, then complete your federal registrations: UAE Corporate Tax with the Federal Tax Authority, VAT where turnover thresholds apply, and Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) filing, plus Economic Substance assessment where the rules are relevant.

Total timeLicense in ~1-2 weeks; visas and banking typically add 2-4 weeks (indicative)

Have questions about the process?

Our experts are here to guide you through each step and answer your questions.

Why Choose AURNÉ for Dubai Mainland Company Formation?

Our Dubai-based team combines local expertise with international standards:

Local Presence. Our Dubai office provides direct access to DED and government departments

Established Relationships. Strong relationships with DED and regulatory authorities ensure efficient processing

Comprehensive Service. End-to-end support from initial consultation to ongoing compliance

Regulatory Expertise. Deep understanding of DED requirements, ESR, UBO, VAT, and Corporate Tax obligations

Activity Expertise. Experience across a wide range of business activities and license types

Integrated Solutions. Company formation combined with accounting, tax, and compliance services

Dubai Mainland Company Formation - Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about forming a mainland company in Dubai, DED registration, licensing, Ejari, visas, and compliance requirements.

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Company Formation · Dubai Mainland

Dubai Mainland Company Formation

Licensed CSP
50+ yrs combined experience
15+ jurisdictions

Setup time: 3-4 weeks (license + basic setup)
Foreign ownership: 100% (most activities)
Min. capital: No statutory minimum for most LLCs
License types: Professional · Commercial · Industrial · Tourism
Residence visa: Yes (investor & staff)
Regulator: Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET)