Dubai Mainland Company Formation — Start Your Business With Full Transparency
Setting up a mainland company in Dubai costs approximately AED 25,000-50,000 in the first year, including trade license fees, visa costs, and office registration. The process takes 2-4 weeks from initial approval to trade license issuance. Since 2021, foreign investors can own 100% of mainland companies without a local sponsor for most business activities. ZETUP PRO handles the entire formation process with transparent, itemized pricing.
Why Dubai Mainland
A mainland company — licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DED) — gives you the most flexibility to operate in Dubai.
- Trade freely within the UAE — sell directly to any customer or government entity in all seven emirates
- 100% foreign ownership — no local sponsor or partner required for most activities since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reform
- Unlimited visa allocation — visa quota based on office space, not fixed caps
- No restrictions on business location — operate from any address in Dubai
- Government contract eligibility — mainland companies can bid on and fulfil government contracts
- Widest range of business activities — over 2,000 activity codes available
How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a Company in Dubai Mainland?
Transparency on cost is where most consultancies fail. Here is a realistic breakdown of first-year costs for a standard mainland LLC. All government fees are approximate and subject to change. We provide exact fee breakdowns in every proposal.
| Cost Component | Approximate Range (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trade name reservation | 620-1,000 | DET fee |
| Initial approval | 120-500 | DET fee |
| MOA drafting and notarisation | 2,000-5,000 | Notary Public |
| Trade license issuance | 10,000-15,000 | DET fee, varies by activity |
| Office registration (Ejari) | 5,000-15,000/year | Flexi-desk, shared, or dedicated |
| Establishment card | 2,000 | MOHRE fee |
| Immigration card | 500-1,000 | GDRFA fee |
| ZETUP PRO formation service fee | 7,500-15,000 | One-time, depends on complexity |
| Estimated total (no visas) | 28,000-52,000 | |
| Per employee visa (if needed) | 3,500-6,000 each | Includes medical, Emirates ID, labour card |
Step-by-Step Formation Process
Step 1: Choose Your Business Activity (Day 1) — Select from DET's 2,000+ activity codes. We help you identify the right activities based on what your company actually does — this is critical because choosing wrong causes costly rejections later.
Step 2: Reserve Your Trade Name (Days 1-2) — Submit your preferred trade name to DET for approval. Names must comply with UAE naming conventions. We check availability before submission.
Step 3: Get Initial Approval (Days 2-3) — DET issues initial approval confirming your business activities and legal form. This approval is required before proceeding with the Memorandum of Association.
Step 4: Draft and Notarise the MOA (Days 3-5) — We prepare the Memorandum of Association outlining company structure, shareholding, and management. Signed and notarised at a Dubai Notary Public.
Step 5: Register Your Office (Days 5-7) — All mainland companies need a registered office address with a valid Ejari contract. Options range from flexi-desk arrangements (AED 5,000-8,000/year) to full office leases.
Step 6: Obtain Your Trade License (Days 7-14) — Submit the complete application to DET. Upon approval, your trade licence is issued and your company is legally operational.
Step 7: Post-License Setup (Days 14-21) — Register for corporate tax with the FTA, open a corporate bank account (we coordinate introductions), obtain an establishment card from MOHRE, and process visas for shareholders and employees.
Documents Required
For a standard mainland LLC with foreign ownership, you will need the following documents. ZETUP PRO provides a detailed, personalised document checklist based on your specific business activity and shareholder structure.
- Passport copies of all shareholders (valid for 6+ months)
- Passport-size photographs
- Entry stamp or valid UAE visa (for shareholders present in UAE)
- No Objection Certificate (if shareholder is employed in UAE)
- Proof of registered office address (Ejari)
- Business plan (for certain activities)
- Professional qualifications (for regulated activities like consulting, healthcare, legal)
ZETUP PRO's Formation Service Includes
Our formation service is a comprehensive package covering every step from initial planning to post-license compliance.
- Complete activity code guidance and selection
- Trade name reservation and approval
- MOA drafting and notarisation coordination
- DET application submission and follow-up
- Ejari registration assistance
- MOHRE and GDRFA card processing
- Corporate bank account introductions
- Corporate tax registration with FTA
- Post-formation compliance checklist
- Dedicated account coordinator throughout the process
الأسئلة الشائعة
Yes. Since June 2021, foreign investors can own 100% of mainland companies for most business activities. A few strategic sectors still require Emirati majority ownership, but ZETUP PRO will confirm full eligibility for your specific activity during the initial consultation.
Typically 2-4 weeks from initial approval to trade license issuance. With the Dubai Instant License programme, certain activity types can be licensed in as little as 5-10 minutes for AED 5,000-18,000 — though this is limited to specific activities and does not include visa processing.
You need to be present in the UAE for MOA notarisation and certain government steps. Some processes can be initiated remotely via power of attorney, but physical presence is required at key stages. We can advise on the most efficient visit schedule.
The Dubai Instant License (from AED 5,000) is the lowest-cost entry point. For a standard mainland LLC, expect AED 28,000-52,000 in the first year including licence, office, and basic setup. We provide transparent breakdowns so you know exactly where every dirham goes.
It depends on your business model. Mainland is better if you need to trade within the UAE, serve government clients, or want maximum flexibility. Free zones are better if you primarily export, want a tax-specific regime, or prefer a simplified setup.
Yes — all mainland companies need a registered office address with a valid Ejari contract. A flexi-desk (virtual office) arrangement starting from AED 5,000/year satisfies this requirement for the first year without needing physical office space.
DET offers over 2,000 activity codes spanning trading, professional services, industrial, and tourism categories. You can register multiple activities on a single licence. We help you select the right codes during the formation process.
All mainland companies must register for UAE Corporate Tax with the Federal Tax Authority. The standard rate is 9% on taxable income above AED 375,000. Small Business Relief (available through December 2026) treats taxable income as zero for businesses with revenue under AED 3 million. We coordinate tax registration as part of the formation process.
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