Dubai Mainland Company Formation
Get your Dubai business license at an unbeatable price
We are registered agents of
Let's Talk
About Mainland Company Formation in Dubai
As one of the world’s fastest-growing commercial capitals, Dubai is the beating heart of business in the UAE, built as a city for those who dream big. It offers entrepreneurs unrivalled access to local and international markets, an advanced regulatory framework, and a thriving network of opportunities.
Opting for a mainland company formation in Dubai places your business at the center of this global growth story. Backed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), a business setup in Dubai Mainland allows you to trade freely across the UAE and expand across the globe without any restrictions and with full access to government, semi-government, and private sector contracts.
Why Choose a Dubai Business License?
Getting the right business license is the foundation of every legitimate mainland business setup in Dubai. Beyond being just a regulatory requirement, it is your official authorization to conduct business, employ staff, and interact directly with clients anywhere within and beyond the UAE.
Irrespective of whether you are launching a retail store, consultancy firm, or manufacturing unit, your business license is what determines your permitted activities and empowers you to operate with complete commercial freedom. It also provides a substantial boost to your company’s credibility, facilitating smoother dealings with banks, suppliers, and government entities.
3 Simple Steps
Your Dubai Mainland company formation explained in three (3) simple steps
Step 1
Initial consultation
Step 2
Application preparation
and submission
Step 3
Business license
issuance
Client Testimonials
“Fantastic service, all queries answered quickly and efficiently and in an easy to read manner so I could understand what was required every step of the way. Highly recommend this service.”
Pricing Packages
Get in touch with us to receive a customized quote for your company formation
Free Zones you may be interested in
Here are a few recommendations based on your interest
- Free zone based in Dubai
- Up to 3 shareholders
- Professional, commercial, and industrial license
- Free zone based in Sharjah
- Up to 50 shareholders
- Service, trading, light-industrial, and freelancer license
- Free zone based in Fujairah
- Up to 5 shareholders
- Commercial, freelancer, and other types of licenses
- Free zone based in Ras Al Khaimah
- Up to 50 shareholders
- E-commerce, professional, media, and other types of licenses
The Process
Here’s how the process works for setting up your Dubai Mainland company
Step 1: Application Submission
Submit your signed mainland business setup in Dubai application along with the required documents to officially begin your company formation in Dubai Mainland.
Step 2: Review and Documentation
Your trade name is reserved, and our team helps you prepare essential company documents, including the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association. All shareholders will need to sign these documents in order to finalize the company structure.
Step 3: Trade License Issuance
Once approved by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), your Dubai Mainland trade license is issued. A digital copy will be made available to you, so you can commence business operations anywhere across the UAE, instantly.
Dubai Mainland Licenses
Discover the various Dubai Trade license types available for mainland business setup in Dubai:
Commercial License: A commercial license is issued in the form of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) for carrying out any commercial activity in Dubai. It is the most widely used commercial entity for mainland business setup in Dubai.
Professional License: A professional license for a Dubai Mainland company is typically issued for the services, skills, and expertise of the individual conducting the business. The company form can either be a sole establishment or an LLC. A foreign national can establish a sole establishment under his/her name, except for a few activities. As the sole establishment is essentially a single shareholder entity, it is not required to have a local sponsor as a shareholder. Instead, the sole establishment is required to have a UAE national as a local service agent.
Branch Office License: A branch office license is a legal extension of a local or foreign company. It does not have any separate legal personality and can only be permitted to carry out the business activity of the parent company. A special approval is required from the UAE Ministry of Economy for setting up a branch office. A UAE national is required to be appointed as a local service agent for a branch office.
Representative Office License: A representative office is primarily set up to promote the business and expand the accessibility of the parent company. The appointment of a UAE national as a local service agent is a mandatory requirement for a representative office.
Industrial License: In Dubai Mainland, industrial licenses are issued to companies conducting business operations in production or manufacturing. Most businesses in sectors like food production and textile production stand to benefit from this license
E-Trader License: This license allows individuals and entrepreneurs to conduct business activities through digital platforms, including social media.
Dual License: A dual license allows companies operating in certain Dubai Free Zones to conduct business in the Dubai Mainland as well, without needing a separate mainland identity. For a dual license to be issued, you will need to secure approvals from both the concerned Free Zone authority and the Dubai DET.
Documents Required for Dubai Mainland Company Formation
Individual Shareholder(s):
- Passport copy
- Passport sized photo (digital)
- Residence visa copy (if applicable)
- Emirates ID copy (if applicable)
- No Objection Certificate (NOC to be obtained from current sponsor, if employed in the UAE)
Corporate Shareholder(s):
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Certificate of Incumbency or equivalent
- Memorandum of Association (MoA)
- Board resolution that approves the new company formation in Dubai Mainland
Additional Documents:
- Trade license application form
- Local sponsor agreement
- Ejari certificate for proof of registered office space
Why Set Up with InZone?
At InZone, we make company formation in Dubai Mainland fast, effective, and in full compliance with the DET. Our team of experts manages every step of your business setup in Dubai. From securing initial approvals to obtaining your Dubai trade license, we guide you every step of the way.
Join over 30,000 happy clients who trusted in our decade of expertise for their company formation requirements.
Key Features
Here are some of the key features of a Dubai mainland company
| Licensing Authority | Mainland companies in Dubai are registered with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) |
| Types of Licenses Offered | Commercial License, Professional License, Trade License, and Industrial License |
| Number of Visas | The company may have unlimited visas issued depending on the office size |
| Location | The office may be based anywhere in mainland Dubai |
| Law | Commercial Companies Law, Law no. 2 of 2015 |
| Ownership | 100% foreign ownership for most business activities. A local sponsor is required to own 51% of shares in LLC for all other activities.(This does not apply to sole establishments.) |
| Paid-Up Capital | No paid-up capital requirement |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some of the most common questions related to company setup in Dubai Mainland
Various factors such as office space, business activity, and visa requirements affect the costs.
Employers on the mainland can sponsor work permits, residency visas, and family visas for their staff members provided they meet certain eligibility criteria.
Mainland businesses with a taxable profit of over AED 375,000 are subject to Corporate Tax in the UAE. However, depending on your activity, additional taxes such as customs fees and VAT (5%) may be applicable.
Yes, you can change your free zone firm to a mainland company under specific circumstances. For advice on viability, speak with a business setup specialist.
Every mainland business is required to keep accurate accounting records and submit yearly financial accounts that have been audited.
Our Amazing Client Reviews
Founder's Podcast 
Free Zone
Offshore
Mainland
Accounting
Banks
Services
Resources
