Dubai Mainland Business Setup
Setting up a mainland company in Dubai gives you something a free zone simply cannot: the right to trade directly across the entire UAE market, sell to walk-in customers, bid for government tenders, and open branches anywhere in the Emirates without a distributor in the middle. Since the 2021 reforms, most activities also allow 100% foreign ownership. Markef manages your entire setup end-to-end: activity selection, trade name, DET licensing, MOA, office & Ejari, visas, and your corporate bank account.
100% Foreign Ownership
Trade Across
UAE
Government Tenders Eligible
What is a Dubai mainland company?
A Dubai mainland company is a business licensed directly by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly the DED). Unlike a free zone entity, it can operate anywhere in the UAE, sell directly to the local market, take on public-sector contracts, and hire staff without visa caps tied to a fixed free zone package.
2026 Update: Lower Cost of Entry for Mainland Companies
As part of a AED 1 billion economic support package announced by Dubai’s leadership, the DET introduced a deferral and reduction of several trade-license-related fees from 1 April 2026 — covering charges such as license amendments, advertising, local license fees, and optional trade-name fees. In practice, many businesses are seeing meaningfully lower government fee burdens on setup and renewal during this window. It is a genuinely good moment to establish or renew a mainland license — and Markef will confirm exactly which reductions apply to your activity before you pay anything.
Why Choose a Mainland Company in Dubai
Full UAE Market Access
Sell goods and services directly to customers anywhere in the UAE, with no distributor or agent required.
100% Foreign Ownership
For the large majority of commercial and professional activities.
Government & Semi-Government Tenders
Mainland entities are eligible to bid for public-sector contracts that free zone companies cannot.
No Geographic Limits
Open shops, offices, or branches in any emirate.
Scalable Visas
Your visa quota grows with your office space rather than being locked to a fixed package.
Any Office Location
In Dubai, giving you flexibility on cost, address, and proximity to clients.
Banking Credibility
A DET license is well understood by every UAE bank, which smooths corporate account opening.
A Launchpad for Growth
The natural base for businesses that intend to serve the UAE long-term and expand across the region.
Mainland vs Free Zone: Which Is Right for You?
This is the decision that saves or wastes the most money, so here is the honest version rather than a sales pitch.
| Factor | Dubai Mainland | Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Sell directly to the UAE market | Yes | No — needs a mainland distributor/agent |
| Government contracts | Eligible | Generally not eligible |
| Foreign ownership | 100% for most activities | 100% |
| Physical office | Required (Ejari tenancy) | Flexi-desk / virtual often allowed |
| Visa quota | Scales with office size | Fixed by package |
| Typical entry cost | Higher (office-driven) | Lower entry point available |
| Best for | Retail, trading, contracting, professional services, anyone serving UAE customers | International trade, B2B, digital/remote services, lean setups |
Choose mainland if you will invoice UAE clients directly, run retail or a physical premises, bid for government work, or hire a growing team. Choose a free zone if your customers are mostly international, you sell remote or digital services, or you want the leanest possible path to a UAE residence visa. Not sure which fits? That’s exactly the call our consultants make for you before you commit a dirham.
100% Foreign Ownership Explained
The rules changed with Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021, which removed the long-standing requirement for a UAE national to hold at least 51% of a mainland company. Dubai’s DET now publishes a “positive list” of 1,000+ commercial and industrial activities eligible for full foreign ownership — covering trading, manufacturing, professional consultancy, hospitality, technology, real estate services, healthcare, education, and more.
There is an important nuance most setup pages skip: a short list of strategic-impact activities (governed by Cabinet Resolution No. 55 of 2021 think defence, certain financial and telecom activities, oil and gas, and a handful of others) still carries ownership conditions or requires sector-regulator approval. For the overwhelming majority of businesses this doesn’t apply, but it’s why we always confirm your specific activity classification honestly before you spend anything.
100%
Foreign Ownership For Most Activities
Business Activities Allowed for Dubai Mainland Companies
A mainland license covers a wide spread of activities, including:
- Trading, import, export, and wholesale
- Retail and general trading of goods
- Manufacturing, assembly, and raw-materials processing
- Financial, legal, and engineering consultancy
- Architecture and interior design
- IT consultancy, software development, graphic design, and technical support
- Hospitality — hotels, short-term accommodation, restaurants, cafés, and food outlets
- Tourism and travel services
- Event planning and management
- Medical and clinical services
- Real estate brokerage and development
- Media, advertising, and marketing
- Financial and insurance services
- Education and training
Some regulated industries (healthcare, education, food, finance, real estate) need an additional approval from their sector authority on top of the DET license. Checking these requirements early keeps your timeline realistic — and it’s one of the first things we flag for you.
Types of Company Structures for Dubai Mainland
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
The most common structure for SMEs and trading businesses. An LLC can have multiple shareholders, offers limited liability protection, and now supports 100% foreign ownership for most activities — the default choice for most of our clients.
Sole Proprietorship
Suited to consultants and freelancers who want full ownership of a professional practice under their own name. Note that you carry personal liability for business debts.
Civil Company
Designed for recognised professionals — doctors, engineers, lawyers, accountants — who want to run a practice, individually or with partners who share the same profession.
Branch of a Foreign Company
Any overseas company can open a Dubai branch with 100% foreign ownership. The parent company remains responsible for the branch’s obligations and liabilities in the UAE.
Types of Mainland Licenses in Dubai
Your Dubai mainland trade license category is determined by what you actually do:
Commercial License
Trading, import/export, and buying and selling goods.
Professional License
Consultancy and service-based work such as IT, legal, marketing, and engineering.
Industrial License
Manufacturing and production involving machinery and labour.
Tourism License
Travel agencies, tour operators, and hospitality operations.
Documents & Step-by-Step Process
Documents Required
- Passport copies for all shareholders (plus UAE visa/Emirates ID copies if resident)
- Passport-size photos meeting UAE specifications
- Proof of address — a utility bill or bank statement from the last three months
- The drafted Memorandum of Association (MOA) setting out shareholding and responsibilities
- Trade name reservation and initial approval from DET
- Ejari registration for your office tenancy contract
If a corporate shareholder or foreign parent is involved, expect additional attested documents such as the parent’s certificate of incorporation and a board resolution. We’ll give you a precise checklist for your exact structure.
Mainland Company Setup Process
- 1Choose your business activity. This drives your license type, whether 100% ownership applies, and any external approvals you’ll need.
- 2Reserve your trade name. Pick a name that meets UAE naming rules and check availability with DET.
- 3Get initial approval. DET confirms there’s no objection to your activity and shareholders.
- 4Secure office space and Ejari. Lease commercial premises and register the tenancy on Ejari (mandatory). Office size sets your visa quota (~9 sqm per visa).
- 5Draft and notarise the MOA. Shareholder agreements are attested before a Dubai Notary Public.
- 6Collect your trade license. Submit the trade name certificate, MOA, initial approval, and Ejari to DET.
- 7Obtain any additional approvals. Regulated sectors get sign-off from their respective authorities.
- 8Open a corporate bank account. With your license issued, open an account with a UAE or international bank.
- 9Process visas and Emirates IDs. Apply for investor and employment visas for shareholders and staff.
With clean documentation, a straightforward setup is often ready in a couple of weeks; add roughly 4–8 weeks when visas and banking are included.
Dubai Mainland Company Setup Cost in 2026
There’s no single sticker price. A lean professional setup can start from around AED 12,500–15,000, while most trading companies with a proper office and one or two visas land in the AED 20,000–40,000 range for the first year. Here’s how it breaks down so you can compare quotes like-for-like:
| Cost component | What it covers | Indicative range (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| DET trade license | Government license fee (varies by activity) | 10,000 – 15,000+ |
| Trade name & initial approval | Reservation and pre-approval | 1,000 – 3,000 |
| MOA drafting & notarisation | Legal documents and attestation | 1,000 – 3,000 |
| Office & Ejari | Flexi-desk to private office + tenancy registration | 12,000+ / year |
| Investor / partner visa | Entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, stamping | 4,000 – 7,000 per visa |
| Establishment card | Company immigration file | up to ~2,000 |
| External approvals | Only for regulated activities | Varies |
The biggest variable is almost always office and visas — not the license itself. Beware “starting from” headline prices that quote only license issuance and leave out office, Ejari, and visa costs. Markef builds one transparent, itemised package around your actual plan, and puts your Year-2 renewal figure in writing too — the number most agents leave out.
Tax and Compliance for Mainland Companies
- UAE Corporate Tax — 0% on taxable profits up to AED 375,000 and 9% above. Registration is now mandatory; small business relief may apply below a set revenue threshold (confirm with a tax advisor).
- VAT — the standard rate is 5%; registration is required once taxable turnover crosses the mandatory threshold.
- Ongoing compliance — bookkeeping, corporate tax filing, and annual license, Ejari, and visa renewals.
This is general information, not tax or legal advice we’ll tailor it to your business.
Our Mainland Business Setup Services
Trade License Processing
End-to-end handling of your DET license, Chamber of Commerce registration, and lease documentation.
Local Service Agent Arrangement
Where a professional activity requires an LSA, we source an agent aligned with your needs (an LSA supports government relations, not ownership).
Government Liaison & PRO Services
Labour cards, immigration files, establishment cards, and all government transactions.
Visa Processing
Investor and employment visa applications, medical tests, stamping, and renewals.
Legal Documentation
MOA drafting, translations, and notary attestations, plus incorporation, renewals, and liquidation if needed.
Corporate Bank Account Assistance
Guidance and support through the account-opening and KYC process.
Why Choose Markef for Your Mainland Business Setup
As one of the mainland business consultants Dubai founders rely on, Markef pairs hands-on regulatory expertise with a genuinely transparent approach:
- A dedicated consultant on every application
- Clear, itemised pricing with no hidden fees — including your Year-2 renewal
- Full government liaison and PRO support
- Deep, current knowledge of DET regulations and licensing
- Ongoing compliance support after setup
- Responsive service from your first question to your first invoice
Ready to Setup Your Mainland Company in Dubai?
Tell us your business activity and we’ll confirm your ownership options, license type, realistic cost, and timeline — usually within a day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mainland company formation in Dubai?
It’s the process of registering and licensing a business with the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which lets you trade freely across the UAE and internationally, sell to the local market, and bid for government contracts.
Can a foreigner own a Dubai mainland company 100%?
Yes — most commercial and professional activities now allow 100% foreign ownership with no local partner, following the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reforms. A short list of strategic-impact activities is the exception, which is why we confirm your specific activity first.
How much does a Dubai mainland business setup cost in 2026?
A lean professional setup can start from around AED 12,500–15,000, while most trading companies with an office and one or two visas fall between AED 20,000 and AED 40,000 in the first year. Your exact figure depends on activity, office, and visa count.
How long does mainland company setup take?
A straightforward license with clean documents can be ready in roughly two weeks. Add about 4–8 weeks when investor visas and corporate banking are included.
Do I need a physical office for a mainland company?
Yes. Mainland companies require a real commercial premises registered on Ejari. Office size also determines how many visas you can obtain (roughly 9 sqm per visa).
Do I need a local service agent?
Only for certain professional licenses. Where required, a local service agent supports government relations — they are not an owner and hold no equity in your business.
What types of mainland licenses are available?
Commercial (trading), professional (services and consultancy), industrial (manufacturing), and tourism (travel and hospitality).
What are the main benefits of a mainland company?
Full foreign ownership for most activities, unrestricted access to the UAE market, eligibility for government tenders, a stable and well-regulated environment, and the freedom to open branches and scale across the Emirates.