Establishing a Business on the Mainland
Trade across the whole UAE, bid for government work and serve local customers directly.
Starting from
AED 12,000
Starting price
- Typical timeline
- 5-10 working days
- Best for
- Companies selling to UAE customers and government clients
- Market access
- Whole UAE
- Starting price
- From AED 12,000
About Establishing a Business on the Mainland
A mainland licence from Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism lets your company trade anywhere in the UAE and with government bodies. It is the usual choice when your customers are in the UAE.
We pick the right activity code, secure the office lease, prepare the paperwork and take you through to your licence and immigration card.
Sell anywhere in the UAE
No restriction on where you trade inside the country.
Government and large contracts
Eligible to work with public bodies and big local buyers.
Wide choice of activities
Commercial, professional, industrial and tourism licences are available.
At a glance
The numbers that matter
Market access
UAE-wide
A mainland company can generally conduct business across the UAE subject to its licensed activities.
Ownership
Up to 100%
Many mainland activities allow full foreign ownership, subject to applicable restrictions.
Office
Usually required
Mainland licensing commonly requires an appropriate registered premises and tenancy arrangement.
Contracts
Local & government
Mainland structures can be suitable for businesses targeting UAE customers and institutional contracts.
Is this right for you?
Who is mainland setup best for?
Businesses selling directly to UAE customers
Companies targeting government or institutional contracts
Retail and commercial businesses
Professional service companies requiring a mainland presence
Businesses that need a physical UAE office
Build a business for the UAE market
A mainland company is generally the most flexible option for businesses whose customers, operations or contracts are located across the UAE.
The setup involves selecting the correct activity, reserving the trade name, obtaining initial approvals, arranging the required premises and completing the licensing process.
- Select the correct licensed activity
- Reserve the trade name
- Obtain initial approval
- Arrange the required premises
- Complete incorporation documents
- Issue the mainland licence
Prepare the company for operations
After the licence is issued, the company may need immigration, labour, banking, tax and accounting arrangements depending on its activity and operating model.
Before you start
Requirements & eligibility
Shareholder information
- Passport copies
- Shareholder details
- Manager details
- Proposed ownership structure
Business activity
The intended business activity must be mapped to an approved mainland activity before licensing.
Premises
An appropriate office or commercial premises may be required depending on the activity and licensing authority requirements.
Additional approvals
Certain activities require approvals from other government or regulatory bodies.
What is included
- Activity selection and trade name reservation
- Initial approval from the licensing authority
- Office lease and Ejari registration support
- Memorandum of Association drafting and signing
- Mainland trade licence
- Labour and immigration file setup
Documents you will need
Tick what you already have and we will help with the rest.
How it works, step by step
4 clear steps, and we handle each one. You always know where your file stands.
- 1
Choose the activity
We select the approved activity that matches what you really do.
- 2
Office and lease
A suitable office is arranged and the tenancy is registered.
- 3
Approvals and MOA
Name, initial approval and a signed Memorandum of Association.
- 4
Pay and collect
Government fees are paid and your licence is issued.
Important to know
Before you proceed
Activity selection matters
The activity on the licence determines what the company can legally conduct and may affect office and approval requirements.
Office requirements vary
The premises requirement depends on the activity and licensing authority rules.
Government fees are separate from professional fees
Authority charges, tenancy costs and consultancy fees should be reviewed separately before proceeding.
Banking is a separate approval
Obtaining a mainland trade licence does not guarantee corporate bank account approval.
Questions, answered
Can't find what you need? Message us and a consultant will reply.
Ask on WhatsAppFor most activities you no longer need a local partner, and you can own 100% of the company. Some restricted activities may still need one.
Usually yes, with a registered tenancy contract. We help you find a suitable one in your budget.
Related services
Ready to start with Establishing a Business on the Mainland?
Tell us about your situation. A consultant will confirm what you need, the cost and the timeline.
Brightlink is an independent private consultancy and is not a government authority. Prices and rules can change.
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