Quick Answer
A mainland company is a UAE entity licensed by the local emirate's economic authority (DET in Dubai). Mainland licences allow trade anywhere in the UAE without restrictions and, since 2021, full 100% foreign ownership for most activities.
A mainland (or 'onshore') company is the most flexible business form in the UAE. It can trade with anyone — Emirati or expat, individual or company — across all seven emirates and can win government contracts. It's regulated by the local emirate's economic department (DET in Dubai, ADDED in Abu Dhabi, etc.).
Until 2021, most mainland LLCs required a 51% Emirati shareholder. Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 removed that requirement for most commercial and professional activities, opening 100% foreign ownership. Strategic activities (defence, banking, certain energy) still need majority Emirati ownership.
Mainland trade licences from DET typically cost AED 10,000–15,000 per year. Setup involves trade-name reservation, initial approval, MOA notarisation, Ejari (office lease registration), and final licence issuance. Setup-to-licence time is typically 2–4 weeks.
Frequently asked questions
What is a mainland company in the UAE?
A mainland company is a UAE entity licensed by the local emirate's economic authority (DET in Dubai). Mainland licences allow trade anywhere in the UAE without restrictions and, since 2021, full 100% foreign ownership for most activities.
Can a mainland company be 100% foreign-owned?
Yes — since 2021, most mainland activities allow full 100% foreign ownership; a small list of strategic activities still requires an Emirati partner or agent.
What can a mainland company do that a free-zone company cannot?
A mainland company can trade directly anywhere across all seven emirates and win government contracts, without the market-access restrictions that apply to free-zone entities.
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