Mainland Company Formation in Dubai:
Licence, Ownership and Setup
A Dubai mainland company is licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and can trade directly anywhere in the UAE. Most commercial activities now allow 100% foreign ownership, while a short list of strategic activities still needs Emirati participation or extra approval. Maven& confirms your activity, structure and approvals first, then handles your licence, visas and bank account.
- 100% foreign ownership for most activities
- Sell directly across the UAE market
- Transparent, itemised pricing
- Get your free setup quote
- Dubai mainland setup partner
Foreign ownership available
For most activities, with no local partner. Strategic activities are the exception.
Common mainland structures
LLC, sole establishment or civil company, and branch of an existing company.
Team for licence, visas and bank
One consultant handles your trade licence, residence visas, PRO work and bank account introductions.
- Licence types
Types of mainland licence in Dubai
Commercial licence
For trading and other commercial activities, such as general trading, e-commerce and import and export.
Professional licence
For consultants, service firms and skilled professionals who offer services rather than goods.
Industrial licence
For manufacturing, processing and assembly, usually with specific premises and extra approvals from the relevant authority.
Tourism and specialised licences
For hospitality, travel and regulated activities, which often need approval from another authority before DET issues the licence.
Which approvals and ownership rules apply to a mainland company?
The activity you choose decides your licence type, your ownership options and any extra approvals. Maven& checks this before you pay a fee.
- Most commercial and professional activities: 100% foreign ownership with a DET licence.
- Strategic impact activities: a short list, including areas such as defence-related work, oil and gas exploration and certain media or banking activities, which needs Emirati participation or special approval.
- Regulated activities: healthcare, education and finance often need approval from the relevant authority as well as DET.
- Premises: a physical office with an Ejari-registered tenancy is generally required.
- Free zone companies: a free zone company may need a DET permit to trade directly in mainland Dubai.
- Mainland vs free zone
Mainland vs free zone company in Dubai
Choose the mainland if you will sell directly to UAE customers or work with government and local partners. Choose a free zone if your business is mostly international or sits inside one zone.
| Feature | Dubai mainland (DET) | Free zone |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing authority | Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) | The free zone authority |
| Foreign ownership | 100% for most activities | Generally 100% |
| Selling in the UAE market | Directly, anywhere in the UAE | Inside the zone or through a distributor, depending on the licence |
| Office | Physical office with Ejari | Flexi-desk to full office, by package |
| Activities | Wide DET activity list, some needing extra approvals | Limited to the zone activity list |
| Corporate tax | 9% above AED 375,000 | 9% above AED 375,000 for most income. 0% applies only to qualifying income of a Qualifying Free Zone Person |
| Best for | Businesses serving UAE customers directly | Overseas-focused or zone-based businesses |
Read the free zone vs mainland guide or browse UAE free zones.
- Company structures
Three mainland company structures compared
Company
For most businesses
- Limited liability for shareholders
- 100% foreign ownership for most activities
- Two or more shareholders possible
- Common choice for trading and services
Final cost depends on your activity, visas and office, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
or Civil Company
For individuals and professionals
- Owned by one natural person or by professionals
- Suited to professional and service activities
- Sole establishment owners carry personal liability
- Fewer shareholder formalities
Final cost depends on your activity, visas and office, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
an Existing Company
For companies already trading abroad
- Extends your existing company into Dubai
- Parent company documents need attestation
- The parent company carries the liability
- Licensed under the parent company name
Final cost depends on your activity, visas and office, and is confirmed in your itemised quote.
How much does mainland company formation cost in Dubai?
There is no single price, because the total depends on your activity, premises and number of visas. Maven& gives you an itemised quote that lists every government and service fee before you commit.
- DET licence and activity fees
- Trade name reservation and initial approval
- Office tenancy and Ejari registration
- Establishment card and residence visas
- Extra approvals, if your activity needs them
- PRO, bank account and accounting support
- How it works
How to set up a mainland company in Dubai in 5 steps
Choose your activity and structure
We confirm the DET activity code, your ownership options and the legal structure that fits your plans.
Reserve your trade name
We reserve a compliant trade name and prepare the initial approval application with DET.
Secure premises and approvals
You lease a suitable office and register the tenancy with Ejari, while we manage any extra approvals your activity needs.
Sign the MoA and receive your licence
Your Memorandum of Association is signed, fees are paid and DET issues the trade licence.
Visas, bank account and launch
We process the establishment card and residence visas, then introduce you to UAE banks and set up PRO and accounting support.
Documents required for mainland company formation in Dubai
Most setups need only a few documents to start. Send us what you have and we will tell you what is missing for your activity.
- Passport copy of every shareholder and manager
- Passport-size photograph on a white background
- UAE visa or entry stamp copy, if you are in the UAE
- Three proposed trade names, in order of preference
- A short description of your business activities
- Corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, MoA/AoA and board resolution, attested
- Ejari-registered tenancy contract for your office
- Regulated activities: approval documents from the relevant authority
- Why Maven&
Why choose Maven& for mainland company formation in Dubai
One dedicated consultant
One consultant handles your trade licence, visas, Ejari and bank account introductions, so you never repeat yourself to a new team.
Transparent, itemised pricing
Every quote lists government fees, office, visa and service costs line by line, with no hidden extras after you sign.
Right activity code and structure
A wrong activity code can restrict your ownership, your approvals or your bank account later. We check the code and the structure against your plans before you pay a fee.
Licence, visas and bank in one process
Company formation, residence visas, corporate tax registration and bank introductions are handled as one coordinated plan.
- Mainland FAQs
Mainland company formation in Dubai: frequently asked questions
A mainland company is licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and can trade directly with customers anywhere in the UAE. It needs a physical office and a trade licence that matches its activity. Free zone companies are licensed separately and are generally limited to the zone or to approved routes.
Yes, for most commercial activities. The 51% Emirati ownership rule was removed for most activities in 2021. A short list of strategic impact activities still needs Emirati participation or special approval, so we check your exact activity first.
The cost depends on your activity, office, visas and any approvals, so there is no single price. It combines DET licence fees, trade name and approval fees, office and Ejari, the establishment card and visas. Maven& gives you an itemised quote before you commit. Try the cost calculator.
The timeline depends on your activity, premises and approvals. Activities that need extra approval from another authority take longer than simple commercial or professional licences. Visas and the bank account follow the licence. We give you a timeline for your case before you start. See the 5-step process.
Generally yes. A mainland licence needs a physical office with an Ejari-registered tenancy, and the size can affect how many visas you can sponsor. Some activities, such as manufacturing, need specific premises. Read about Ejari registration.
A mainland company can sell directly across the UAE, while a free zone company is licensed by its zone and is generally limited to the zone or approved routes. Both can offer 100% foreign ownership. Compare them in detail or browse free zones.
The common structures are a limited liability company (LLC), a sole establishment or civil company for individuals and professionals, and a branch of an existing company. Which one fits depends on your owners, liability and activity.
Yes. UAE corporate tax is 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above that, and every taxable business must register with the Federal Tax Authority. See corporate tax registration and filing.
Yes. Once you hold the trade licence, banks run Know Your Customer checks before opening the account, and approval is the bank decision. We prepare the file and introduce you to suitable banks. See corporate bank account opening.
A mainland company can sponsor residence visas for owners and employees, with the number tied to office size and licence. See the investor and partner visa or all visa services.
Reviewed by the Maven& corporate setup team. Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules and fees change, so we confirm current requirements with the relevant authority before you commit.
Ready to set up your mainland company in Dubai?
Get a clear, itemised quote and a setup plan built around your activity. Talk to a Maven& consultant today.
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