Dubai Mainland business setup, handled end to end
The whole UAE market.
Trade anywhere in the UAE, deal directly with government departments, and operate out of any physical address — no freezone restrictions. DED-licensed, Easyco-managed.
Four DED license categories
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DED) issues licenses by activity type. We will help you choose the right one.
For trading, import/export, retail, and general commerce. Covers buying and selling goods within and outside the UAE.
For service-based businesses: consultancy, IT, marketing, management, legal, and professional practices.
For manufacturing, processing, and industrial operations. Requires DET approval and a designated industrial zone address.
For travel agencies, tour operators, and tourism-related services regulated by Dubai Tourism (DTCM).
All Services
What is a Dubai Mainland company
A Dubai Mainland company (also called an onshore company) holds a license issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. Unlike freezone entities, a Mainland company can trade freely anywhere in Dubai, across all UAE emirates, and with the UAE government.
Since June 2021, Federal Law No. 26 of 2020 (the amended Commercial Companies Law) allows 100% foreign ownership for most commercial and professional activities — no UAE national sponsor required for the majority of business types. Certain strategic and regulated sectors still require a local partner.
Office and Ejari requirements
Every Mainland license requires a physical UAE address. DET mandates a tenancy contract (Ejari-registered) at the time of license issuance. Virtual offices and flexi-desk solutions are accepted for most professional and commercial activities, subject to DET approval.
- Physical address mandatory at registration
- Ejari-registered tenancy contract required
- Flexi-desk accepted for most activity types
- Minimum 200 sq ft for some industrial and trading activities
- We will source and register your Ejari — included in our service packages
100% foreign ownership — what changed in 2021
Federal Law No. 26 of 2020 (effective 2 June 2021) removed the blanket 51% UAE-national ownership requirement for most business activities. Foreign investors may now hold 100% of a Mainland company in the majority of sectors.
Exceptions: activities on the UAE's Negative List (oil production, utilities, security, certain financial services, arms, media) still require a UAE national shareholder or sponsor. We will advise you on your specific activity during consultation.
Sample cost breakdown — Commercial License
| Item | Indicative fee |
|---|---|
| DET trade name reservation | AED 620 |
| Initial approval fee | AED 150 |
| MOA / LSA drafting and notarisation | AED 1,500 |
| DET commercial license fee (annual) | AED 9,200 |
| Ejari registration (flexi-desk) | AED 2,400 |
| Chamber of Commerce membership | AED 1,200 |
Figures are indicative for a standard single-activity Commercial License in Dubai, 2026. Government fees change annually. Our quoted price locks all fees at the time of order. Prices include VAT 5% where applicable. Immigration and visa fees are separate.
5 steps from decision to license
We confirm your business activity list, check it against DET classifications, and reserve your trade name.
DET issues an initial approval (usually 1–2 working days). This is not the license — it is permission to proceed.
We prepare the Memorandum of Association (MOA) or Local Service Agent agreement, notarise with a UAE notary public, and collect your attested passport copies.
We arrange your tenancy contract and register it on Ejari. DET requires this before issuing the final license.
DET issues the trade license. We deliver the digital certificate to you. Typical total timeline: 8–14 working days from full document submission.
Mainland vs Freezone — at a glance
| Criterion | Mainland | Freezone |
|---|---|---|
| Trade within UAE | Unrestricted | Via distributor or branch |
| Government contracts | Eligible | Not eligible |
| 100% foreign ownership | Most activities | All activities |
| Physical office required | Yes (Ejari) | Flexi-desk options vary |
| Setup cost (indicative) | From AED 27,799 | From AED 14,999 |
| Customs duty on imports | Standard UAE customs | Often duty-free within freezone |
| Visa quota | Based on office size | Fixed packages |
Not sure which suits your business? WhatsApp us and we will advise.
Trading in days.
Name reservation, initial approval, license issue and a bank introduction — sequenced so nothing waits on anything it did not have to.
Common questions
For most commercial and professional activities, no — 100% foreign ownership is permitted since June 2021 under the amended UAE Commercial Companies Law. Certain strategic sectors (oil, utilities, arms, security) still require a UAE national partner or Local Service Agent. We will confirm your specific activity during consultation.
Typically 8–14 working days from the date we receive your full documents. Trade name reservation and initial approval happen within 1–3 working days. Notarisation and Ejari can add 3–5 working days.
Yes. DET allows multiple related activities on a single license. Additional activities may attract additional fees. We will confirm the activity grouping before proceeding.
A Commercial License covers trading, import/export, and retail of goods. A Professional License covers service-based work — consultancy, IT, design, legal, and similar. The ownership structure also differs: Professional Licenses allow 100% foreign ownership without a Local Sponsor, while some Commercial activities may require a Local Service Agent depending on the sector.
All Visask service fees include VAT at 5%. Government fees (DET fees, Ejari, Chamber) are passed through at cost — some are VAT-exempt, some attract VAT. We will show the full breakdown before you pay.
Ready when you are.
Ready to set up your Dubai Mainland company
Tell us your activity. We will advise on license type, ownership structure, and get you a firm quote — usually within 4 business hours.