Home / Business Setup / Mainland
Our Dubai mainland company setup lets you sell directly to UAE customers, open branches in other emirates (a branch licence is needed) and bid for government contracts. We take you from trade name to bank account.
Mainland licences are issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Your activity decides the licence type.
For buying, selling and distributing goods in the UAE market, including import and export. General trading lets you deal in several unrelated product lines under one licence.
General tradingImport & exportE-commerceRetailFood trading
For service businesses built on skills and expertise. Professional licences can allow 100% foreign ownership, and some activities need a local service agent.
Management consultancyIT servicesMarketingDesignEngineering consultancy
For businesses that manufacture, assemble or process goods. Industrial licences typically need approvals for premises and equipment, which we coordinate.
ManufacturingFabricationPackagingFood production
From trade name to bank account, one adviser carries your Dubai mainland company setup through every stop.
Trade name reservation, initial approval, Ejari office contract and your licence from the Department of Economy and Tourism.
We register your company with immigration and get its establishment card, the official name for the immigration card.
We handle the residence visa applications for your company.
We book the medical fitness test and Emirates ID biometrics and track both to completion. Your residence visa follows.
We register your company for corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).
We prepare your file and introduce you to the bank, so your company can receive and make payments.
| Mainland | Free zone | Offshore | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade in UAE market | Yes, directly | Through a distributor or permit | No |
| Foreign ownership | Up to 100% for most activities | 100% | 100% |
| Residence visas | Yes, based on office size | Yes, based on package | Not with a standard RAK ICC company |
| Office required | Yes (Ejari) | Flexi-desk or office | Registered agent only |
| Best for | Retail, services to UAE clients, government work | Consultancy, e-commerce, international trade | Holding, assets, international trade |
Yes, for most commercial and professional activities. A small list of strategic activities still requires a UAE national partner. We confirm the rule for your activity before you apply.
A mainland licence needs a registered address with an Ejari tenancy contract. We can arrange office space that matches your visa needs, from business centres to private offices.
Trade name and initial approval can come through in days. The full Dubai mainland company setup, through to visas, Emirates ID and bank account, usually takes a few weeks.
Yes. Mainland companies can bid for government contracts and trade with any customer in the UAE.
