Office 3801, Cluster X3, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Office 3801, Cluster X3, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Thinking about mainland company setup in dubai? You’re in the right place! Dubai mainland offers a growing local market, a business-friendly environment, and unlimited growth opportunities. With 100% ownership in selective sectors, access to government contracts, and no currency restrictions, it’s the perfect choice for entrepreneurs and investors.
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Dubai Mainland is home to thousands of thriving businesses, with over 300,000 active trade licenses issued, reflecting its dynamic and investor-friendly environment, Companies operating in the mainland benefit from direct access to the UAE market, global connectivity, and a business-friendly regulatory framework, making Dubai one of the world’s leading commercial hubs.
From startups to multinational corporations, businesses in Dubai Mainland enjoy unparalleled growth opportunities, contributing significantly to the emirate’s robust economy.
Your business structure defines your future. A mainland company setup in Dubai offers various legal business structures, allowing entrepreneurs to select the one that best aligns with their goals and operational needs
The LLC is one of the most opted legal structures in Dubai for mainland company setup in dubai. This business structure provides limited liability protection to the shareholders; it is suitable for businesses that want to add more investment and involve multiple shareholders. LLC’s legal structure allows businesses to operate anywhere within the UAE.
A sole establishment is a business in which one person fully controls all the operations of the business. This setup is ideal for small businesses or consultants who are interested in running their operations independently in Dubai. It is easy to set up and provides the owner with complete authority over all decisions and is fully responsible for all liabilities and debts of the business.
Civil companies are owned by two or more professionals, who can be doctors, lawyers, or accountants. This structure allows them to practice their profession in Dubai while maintaining full control over their business. The owner must be a UAE national or a GCC citizen, and the company can be 100% owned by a professional, but a local service agent may be required.
A foreign company can establish a branch in the Mainland jurisdiction of Dubai. This allows the parent company to operate directly in the UAE market. A branch office offers the advantage of conducting business under the parent company’s name while enjoying the benefits of operating in Dubai, such as access to the local market and the ability to enter government contracts.
In a Dubai Mainland Business Setup, companies are permitted to engage in a wide range of business activities, giving businesses a great deal of flexibility. The most common business activities are:
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Dubai Mainland supports consultancy businesses in fields like management, marketing, HR, and education, allowing professionals to offer expert guidance and strategic advice to startups and corporations.
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Mainland companies can legally import, export, and distribute a wide range of goods. Dubai’s strategic location and logistics infrastructure make it ideal for wholesale, retail, and general trading businesses.
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Financial firms in Dubai Mainland can offer services like auditing, accounting, tax consultancy, and investment advisory. These businesses operate under regulatory bodies like the Central Bank or DFSA.
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Hospitality businesses including hotels, cafés, and restaurants are permitted in Dubai Mainland. With proper approvals, investors can capitalize on Dubai’s booming tourism and vibrant food and beverage industry.
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Media firms can offer services like advertising, digital marketing, content creation, and event management. Dubai’s growing digital economy makes this a dynamic and high-demand sector for creative businesses.
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IT companies can engage in software development, app design, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Mainland licensing offers flexibility to serve both private and government sectors across Dubai and the UAE.
Business setup in Dubai Mainland offers the following key benefits that give you flexibility and control over your business operations:
There is no corporate tax on businesses In UAE with income less than a specific threshold of AED 375,000, and only a Value Added tax of 5% applies to most goods and services, while others are fully exempted.
Dubai Mainland companies have easy and open access to operate anywhere in Dubai and the UAE, and the companies can be involved in government-driven contracts and retail businesses.
Business setup in Dubai Mainland allows entrepreneurs, their employees and their families to obtain UAE residency visas. with a valid and legal visa, they can operate and work in Dubai easily.
Dubai Mainland offers 100% ownership to businesses for all activities, except those classified as 'Activities of Strategic Effect.' This gives you full control over your business operations and make decisions freely.
Find below the list of documents required for Mainland Company Registration in Dubai and the UAE.
| Mandatory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Passport Copy (Valid for at least 6 months) |  |
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| Visa Page Copy (if applicable) | |
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| Emirates ID (if applicable) | |
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| Passport-sized Photos | |
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| No Objection Certificate (NOC) | |
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| 3 Name Choices | |
| Mandatory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Memorandum Of Association (MOA) | |
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| Certificate of Incorporation | |
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| UBO List | |
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| 3 Name Choices | |
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| Visa Copy (Manager) | |
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| Passport Copy (Manager) | |
Note: You have to prepare all these documents before starting the registration to get license approval from the authorities without any delays.
The cost of company formation in Dubai Mainland typically ranges from AED 20,000 to AED 50,000. The final amount depends on several factors, including the chosen business activity, company structure, and type of license required.
The following additional costs may be incurred when setting up a business: office space rental, legal fees for documentation and registration, visa and labor fees for employees, and sponsorship fees if applicable.
Your Business Growth Begins With Dubai Mainland’s Strategic Opportunities
The following is the step-by-step process for mainland company setup in dubai, meeting all legal requirements and in compliance with government regulations:
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First, you have to choose your business activity in order to register a company on the mainland. Dubai offers a wide range of activities and is an open opportunity for entrepreneurs to choose from. Our business setup experts suggest the right business activity that meets your business requirements.
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In the second step, you have to select a unique company name that supports your business operations. Our business setup experts suggest the best name for your company that complies with the UAE’s naming regulations and clearly represents the operations of your business.
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Once you have chosen your business activity and company name, we help you apply for initial approval to get NOC from the DED in Dubai. This approval allows you to move forward with the company setup process and confirms that the DED has no objections to your business setup.
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In the fourth step, you may need to hire a local sponsor as your business partner, who has a 51% share in your business. This is mandatory if you have chosen the trading, manufacturing, and travel activities. We provide you with a local sponsor to mitigate any operational risk for your business.
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Mainland businesses in Dubai are required to secure an office space in order to conduct their operations. We find and secure the best office space for your company according to your business requirements. After securing your office location, we submit the lease agreement to the DED to proceed further.
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In this step, you have to prepare all the necessary documents for the Mainland company setup process and submit the application to the DED. Our experts prepare all the documents and submit your application for a Mainland business license to the DED on your behalf.
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You may need to obtain additional approvals from relevant government authorities, depending on your business activities. The activities for additional approval are healthcare, education, finance, and more. We help you to obtain additional approvals to comply with specific regulations.
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Once your business license is approved, you can open a corporate bank account for your financial transactions anywhere in Dubai. Our expert team helps you open a bank account for your company in Dubai by completing all the required paperwork.
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Finally, after obtaining your business license, you can proceed with applying for investor and employee visas. We help you to get a visa for yourself and your employees by completing all the requirements for visa applications in compliance with Dubai’s government regulations.
If you’re planning to establish your business in Dubai Mainland, it’s essential to seek expert guidance to ensure full compliance with all regulatory requirements. At Biz Setup Dubai, our experienced business setup consultants provide end-to-end support, ensuring a seamless setup process with zero errors or risk of penalties.
Yes, in most cases, foreigners can fully own Dubai Mainland company, according to the Federal Decree-Law No. 32/2021. However, some activities like trading, manufacturing, and travel still require a local sponsor.
The mainland company setup in dubai normally requires 1 to 2 weeks. However, in some cases, the time span can be extended because of some additional approvals required from authorities and gathering the required documents.
Yes, it is necessary to have a physical office to register a Dubai Mainland company. The office requirements must be fulfilled according to the Dubai DED regulations in order to complete your company’s registration process in the Mainland jurisdiction.
You can apply for a variety of visas in Dubai if you have a trade license from a company on the Mainland. You can apply for a visa for yourself, for your investors, for your employees, and for family visas by meeting the visa regulatory requirements.
While most businesses can now be fully foreign-owned, certain business activities, such as trading and manufacturing businesses, may still require a local sponsor, especially under commercial or industrial licenses.
Yes, Dubai Mainland businesses are subject to corporate tax, which was introduced in June 2023. The tax rate is 9% on taxable profits exceeding AED 375,000. However, many businesses are exempt from this tax, depending on their specific circumstances and activities.
