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UAE BUSINESS SETUP

Mainland Business Setup

Build, operate and grow your business anywhere in the UAE with complete support from our experts.

  • End-to-End Support
  • Government Approved
  • Trusted by 1000+ Businesses
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Mainland Business Setup in the UAE

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Businesses Set Up

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Client Satisfaction

Working with UAE authorities & leading banks

  • Government of Dubai
  • Dubai Municipality
  • Federal Tax Authority
  • UAE Ministry of Finance
  • Emirates Identity Authority
  • Emirates NBD
  • Mashreq
  • ADCB
  • RAKBANK
  • WIO Bank
Service Overview

Everything You Need to Start in the UAE Mainland

A mainland company allows you to operate anywhere in the UAE, work with government entities, and access a wider market. We handle the entire process from trade name reservation to license issuance, with expert guidance at every step.

Years of Experience
10+
Everything You Need to Start in the UAE Mainland

Turn Your Vision Into a Business

We take care of the paperwork, you focus on growth.

LICENSE TYPES

Permitted Mainland License Types

Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) offers distinct licensing categories tailored to your commercial activity.

Commercial License

Issued for general trading, import/export, retail, and wholesale activities across the UAE.

Best For

Trading companies and retail brands operating locally and globally.

Popular Activities

  • General Trading
  • E-Commerce
  • Retail Storefront
  • Import & Export Logistics

Professional License

Issued for skilled professionals, consultancy firms, IT services, and advisory agencies.

Best For

100% foreign-owned service providers and specialized consultants.

Popular Activities

  • Management Consultancy
  • IT & Software Advisory
  • Design & Marketing
  • Technical Services

Industrial License

Mandatory for manufacturing, raw material processing, packaging, and industrial production.

Best For

Factories, assembly plants, and manufacturing enterprises requiring warehouses.

Popular Activities

  • Light Manufacturing
  • Food Processing
  • Assembly Operations
  • Industrial Packaging

Tourism License

Specialized license for travel agencies, tour operators, hotel management, and hospitality.

Best For

Hospitality operators, travel agents, and tourism service providers.

Popular Activities

  • Travel Agency
  • Inbound & Outbound Tourism
  • Hotel Management
  • Event Ticketing
LEGAL STRUCTURES

Mainland Legal Company Structures

Choose the legal corporate entity structure aligned with your ownership and operational scope.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

The most popular structure allowing 100% foreign ownership for commercial and industrial activities.

Ownership

100% Foreign Ownership (No Local Partner needed for 2,000+ activities)

Best For

SMEs, trading companies, and expanding international enterprises.

Key Features

  • Unrestricted onshore trading
  • Unlimited UAE employee visa allocations
  • Corporate bank account eligibility

Sole Establishment / Civil Company

For professional consultants and individual specialists retaining 100% equity ownership.

Ownership

100% Individual Ownership

Best For

Solo consultants, freelance specialists, and professional partnerships.

Key Features

  • Simple registration procedure
  • Direct professional liability
  • Lower administrative overhead

Branch of a Foreign Company

100% owned extension of an existing international corporate parent entity.

Ownership

100% Parent Company Ownership

Best For

Multinational corporations establishing an official onshore UAE branch.

Key Features

  • Operates under parent brand name
  • No separate share capital required
  • Conducts same activities as parent
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Required Documentation for Mainland Setup

Streamlined documentation required for DED initial approvals, trade name reservation, and license issuance.

Individual Shareholders & Directors

Standard personal identity documents for company owners.

Clear Color Passport Copy (valid for min. 6 months)
UAE Residence Visa & Emirates ID Copy (if applicable)
Passport-size photograph with white background
Proposed Trade Name choices (top 3 preferences)

Corporate Shareholder Entities (if applicable)

Required if a parent company owns shares in the UAE Mainland entity.

Certificate of Incorporation / Trade License of parent company
Memorandum & Articles of Association (MOA/AOA)
Board Resolution approving UAE company setup and appointing manager
Power of Attorney (POA) for designated representative

Need Help With Documentation?

Our corporate consultants will guide you through document preparation, legal translations, and official attestations step-by-step.

Get Free Guidance
Key Benefits

Why Choose Mainland Business Setup?

Get full market access, greater flexibility, and long-term growth opportunities in the UAE.

100% Ownership

Full control of your business (with most activities).

Operate Anywhere

Do business across the UAE and internationally.

Wide Range of Activities

Access 3,000+ commercial, industrial, and professional activities.

Government Contracts

Eligible to work with UAE government entities.

Scalability

Easily expand your business and add new activities.

Local Support

Dedicated support from our UAE experts.