A mainland company is licensed by the economic department of the emirate where it operates. In Dubai that is the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). A mainland licence lets you trade directly with customers anywhere in the UAE, bid for government contracts and open branches across the emirates. Since 2021, most commercial activities can be 100% foreign-owned, so a local partner is no longer a blanket requirement.
Why founders choose the mainland
- Sell directly to UAE customers and businesses, with no distributor in between
- Eligible for government and semi-government tenders
- Freedom to open offices and branches in any emirate
- Full foreign ownership for most activities, with a few strategic activities still restricted
- Visa quota linked to your office space, so the business can grow with its team
The main stages at a glance
The official route has several stages, and each one depends on the one before it:
- Choose the business activity (or activities) from the official activity list
- Choose the legal form, such as an LLC or a sole establishment
- Reserve a trade name that meets the naming rules
- Obtain initial approval, which confirms there is no objection to the business
- Prepare the Memorandum of Association or other founding documents
- Secure a registered office address with an Ejari tenancy contract
- Get any extra approvals your activity needs from sector regulators
- Pay the fees and receive the trade licence
Each stage has its own documents, fees and conditions, and they change from time to time. The most common delays come from an activity code that does not match what the business really does, a rejected trade name, or a lease that does not suit the activity. Each of these can add weeks to the timeline.
Activity and legal form shape everything else
Your activity decides which approvals you need, what kind of office is acceptable and how many visas you can apply for. Your legal form decides liability, ownership and how profits can be taken out. Choosing well at the start is far cheaper than amending the licence later, so it is worth getting advice before you apply.
What happens after the licence is issued
Receiving the licence is the start, not the finish. In the first months you will need to:
- Open a corporate bank account, which banks review carefully
- Register for Corporate Tax with the Federal Tax Authority within three months of incorporation
- Register for VAT once taxable supplies pass the mandatory threshold
- File the beneficial ownership (UBO) information required for your company
- Set up bookkeeping from day one, so tax returns and audits are straightforward
- Diary the licence renewal date and any visa renewals
Let us set up your mainland company
SMAS Venture handles the trade licence from activity selection to issue, then sets up your bookkeeping, Corporate Tax and VAT registration so you start compliant.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner own 100% of a mainland company in Dubai?
Yes, for most commercial and industrial activities. A small number of activities with strategic impact still have ownership conditions, so check your activity before you apply.
How long does mainland company setup take?
It depends on the activity and on any extra approvals. Straightforward licences can be issued within a few weeks, while regulated activities take longer.
Do I need an office for a mainland company?
Yes. A mainland company needs a registered address backed by an Ejari tenancy contract, and the office size affects how many visas you can apply for.
Does a mainland company pay Corporate Tax?
Mainland companies must register for Corporate Tax. Taxable income up to AED 375,000 is taxed at 0% and income above that at 9%, and reliefs such as Small Business Relief may apply.
