المحتوى التفصيلي لهذه الصفحة متوفر حالياً باللغة الإنجليزية.
It’s highly recommended that you launch your firm in the Mainland Business Setup Dubai. It is the perfect place to start a business because of its facilities and commercial chances. The intriguing aspect of this method is that there is no personal income tax, and UAE corporate tax (9% since June 2023) applies only to taxable business profits. These unique characteristics make Mainland a viable location for anyone looking to establish or build a branch office. It might be challenging to start a business in a new location. It is because starting a new business is a task that needs in-depth knowledge and careful consideration of the processes and market involved.
Documents Required to Mainland Business Setup in UAE
Additionally, here are some of the documents which will be required to set up a business in Dubai. The authority can ask for more documents if required. Here is an estimated list of all the documents:
- License Application
- Attested LLC agreement
- Required governmental forms
- Name reservation and initial approval certificates
- External department’s approval
- Tenancy contract
- EJARI registration certificate
- Copy of NOC for partners
- Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry Registration
ADVANTAGES OF A MAINLAND COMPANY IN DUBAI
- 100% repatriation of the capital
- No personal income tax (corporate tax 9% since June 2023)
- A mainland can have more than one branch
- Pitching for a host of private and government projects that are not available to Free Zone or professional services companies without a local partner
- Mainland allows foreign entrepreneurs to trade/operate directly with the local market
- Availability of a wide range of business activities
HOW WE CAN ASSIST YOU TO REGISTER A MAINLAND COMPANY
Although some of the procedures for setting up and obtaining a license can be lengthy, obtaining the appropriate legal advice will facilitate the process and help foreign companies understand the optimal legal structure for conducting business in the UAE.
Likewise, if you want to get registration for Mainland Business setup in Dubai or any other Emirate, Wordcraft will guide you in choosing the most effective corporate structure for your company. We can help your company in getting started as well as do business in the UAE along with providing support for visa applications, PRO services and document attestation.
Contact our experts to get free kind advice on the best options to set up your business in UAE or obtain a UAE bank account today: info@wordcraft.ae.
Who Needs This Service
Mainland setup suits businesses that want to trade directly anywhere in the UAE market:
- Retail, trading and e-commerce businesses selling directly to UAE customers
- Contracting, maintenance and facility-management companies working across the emirates
- Service providers bidding for government and semi-government contracts
- Restaurants, salons, clinics and other businesses that need a street-front location
- Companies planning several branches in one or more emirates
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a local partner for a mainland company?
For most commercial and industrial activities, no — 100% foreign ownership has been allowed since 2021. A limited list of strategic activities still has conditions, so we check your activity before applying.
Can a mainland company open branches in other emirates?
Yes. A mainland company can open branches in other emirates by obtaining a branch licence from the economic department of each emirate — for example the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) in Dubai.
What is the difference between mainland and free zone?
A mainland licence lets you trade directly anywhere in the UAE and bid for government work; a free zone licence is focused on business inside the zone and internationally. We help you compare both for your activity.
Department of Economy and Tourism (DET): Who Issues Your License
In Dubai, mainland trade licenses are issued by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which took over from the former Department of Economic Development (see dubaidet.gov.ae). Your license lists the activities you may carry out, the legal form, the owners and the registered office. In the other emirates, each emirate's own economic development and licensing authorities issue mainland licenses, see Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.
Foreign Ownership and Local Service Agents
Since the 2021 changes to the UAE Commercial Companies Law, foreign investors can own 100% of a mainland company for most commercial and industrial activities, without an Emirati shareholder. A short list of strategic activities still carries ownership conditions, and, depending on the authority's current rules, some professional or branch structures may need a UAE national as a local service agent, who holds no shares and acts only for government formalities. We check the rule for your exact activity and legal form before you apply.
Legal Forms for a Mainland Company
- Limited Liability Company (LLC): one or more shareholders, liability limited to their shares; the most common form for trading and services.
- Sole establishment: one owner trading under their own responsibility, often for professional activities.
- Civil company: partners in the same profession, such as consultants or engineers.
- Branch: of a UAE or foreign company, trading under the parent's name.
An LLC's Memorandum of Association is notarized, and later changes need an MOA amendment.
Office Space and Ejari
A Dubai mainland company needs a physical office (or other premises suited to the activity, such as a shop or warehouse) with a tenancy contract registered in Ejari. The Ejari certificate is part of the license file, and the office size generally sets how many employment visas the company can apply for. Some professional activities can start from smaller business-center offices; we confirm what DET accepts for your activity.
Corporate Tax and VAT Planning
A mainland company pays corporate tax at 9% on taxable profit (in force since June 2023) and registers with the Federal Tax Authority soon after licensing; VAT follows once turnover passes the threshold. Personal income is not taxed. Keep the license activities and the tax registration consistent, since the Authority and banks compare the two. Your registered tax agent files the returns; we look after the license and company documents.
From Activity List to Mainland License
- Scope: tell us the activity and legal form you have in mind; the written quote follows within 10–30 minutes.
- Name and initial approval: DET reserves the trade name and issues initial approval on our application.
- MOA and office: we prepare the MOA (with MOJ-certified legal translation where needed), arrange notarization and register the Ejari.
- License: external approvals if required, then the license is issued.
- After licensing: establishment card, visas and company bank account, tracked online throughout.
Last updated: September 2026
