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Dubai MainlandCompany Formation
Set up a mainland company licensed by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), with no restriction on where in the UAE you trade, who you sell to or which contracts you bid for.
- 100% Ownership
- DET Licence
- Trade Anywhere in the UAE
- Government Contracts
- Bank Account Support
Published Updated
Dubai: the UAE’s commercial capital
A Dubai mainland company is licensed by DET and can trade directly with customers, sign contracts and open branches in all seven emirates. Since the 2021 company law reforms, most activities can be 100% foreign-owned with no local partner.
Dubai combines Jebel Ali Port, two international airports, most of the country’s bank head offices and the largest pool of skilled staff in the region. A mainland licence is the right fit when your customers are in the UAE, when you need a shop, showroom or site office, or when you want to bid for government and semi-government work.
Best known for: UAE-wide trade, contracting & services
Why Dubai Mainland
Dubai mainland gives you the widest market access in the UAE and the deepest pool of customers, suppliers, banks and talent.
Trade anywhere, with anyone
Sell directly to consumers and businesses across the UAE, open branches in any emirate and work without a free zone’s location limits.
Government & semi-government work
Mainland companies can register as suppliers and bid for contracts with Dubai Government entities and their partners.
100% foreign ownership (most activities)
Most commercial, professional and industrial activities no longer need a UAE national shareholder. A short list of strategic activities still does; we check yours first.
Global connectivity
Jebel Ali Port, Dubai International and Al Maktoum airports put most of the world within an eight-hour flight and connect you to regional supply chains.
Strongest banking access
Most UAE banks are headquartered or heavily present in Dubai and are familiar with mainland profiles, which helps account opening.
Largest talent pool
Recruit from the UAE’s biggest multinational workforce, with visa allocation linked to your office size rather than a fixed package.
Ideal for
- Retail, showrooms & restaurants
- Contracting & fit-out
- Trading & distribution in the UAE
- Professional services with UAE clients
- Companies bidding for government work
Mainland Licence Categories in Dubai
DET issues three main licence families. Your activities decide the licence and whether another authority also has to approve.
Commercial Licence
For buying, selling and distributing goods, in Dubai and across the UAE.
- General trading
- Import & export
- Retail & e-commerce
- Wholesale & distribution
- Real estate brokerage
Professional Licence
For service businesses built on skills, qualifications and expertise.
- Management consultancy
- IT & software services
- Marketing & advertising
- Engineering consultancy
- Accounting & HR services
Industrial Licence
For manufacturing, processing and assembly, usually in Dubai’s industrial areas.
- Light manufacturing
- Food production
- Printing & packaging
- Furniture & joinery
- Metal & plastic fabrication
Legal Structures Under DET
Every federal company form is available in Dubai. Most foreign founders choose an LLC; overseas groups often start with a branch.
01
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
The usual choice for trading and commercial activities, with one or more shareholders and liability limited to capital.
02
Sole Establishment
A single owner trading in their own name, common for professional and service activities.
03
Civil Company
A partnership for licensed professionals such as engineers, consultants and other specialists.
04
Branch of a Foreign Company
An overseas company operating under its own name, with the parent liable for the branch.
05
Private Joint Stock Company
For larger ventures with several shareholders and plans to raise capital.
06
Branch of a UAE or Free Zone Company
An existing UAE company, including a free zone company, opens a mainland branch to trade outside its zone under its own name.
How a Dubai Mainland Company Is Formed
We run each step with DET and the other Dubai authorities for you.
- 01
Confirm the Business Activity
We match your business to DET’s activity list and check whether it needs approval from another authority. Healthcare, education, food and some trading activities do.
- 02
Choose the Legal Structure
LLC, sole establishment, civil company or branch, chosen to fit your shareholders and liability.
- 03
Reserve the Trade Name
We submit your name options to DET under UAE naming rules.
- 04
Get Initial Approval
DET approves the activity and ownership in principle.
- 05
Sign the MoA
We draft the Memorandum of Association and arrange notarisation.
- 06
Lease Your Premises
You lease an office, shop or warehouse and the tenancy is registered through Ejari. Your space decides how many visas you can apply for.
- 07
Licence Issued
DET issues the trade licence. We then open your establishment card, process visas and prepare the bank application.
Documents Required for Dubai Setup
What we need depends on whether each shareholder is a person or a company. Documents issued abroad must be notarised and attested for use in the UAE; we arrange this for you.
Individual Shareholders
- Passport copy of each shareholder and manager
- UAE visa or entry stamp, if any
- Emirates ID, if resident in the UAE
- Passport-size photo
- Three trade name options
- Proof of home address
Corporate Shareholders
- Certificate of incorporation or trade licence
- Memorandum & Articles of Association
- Board resolution approving the Dubai company
- Certificate of good standing
- Passport copy of the appointed manager
- Ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) declaration
Why Choose a Dubai Mainland Structure
Dubai mainland suits businesses whose customers, contracts or premises are in the UAE.
Trade across all seven emirates with one licence
100% foreign ownership for most activities
Eligible for government and semi-government tenders
No limit on visas beyond what your premises support
Widest choice of banks and financing
Open shops, showrooms and branches anywhere
Direct access to Jebel Ali Port and two airports
Tax & Compliance Position: Dubai Mainland
Dubai mainland companies follow the standard UAE Corporate Tax and VAT rules. What changes between emirates is fees, rent and approvals, not tax.
UAE Corporate Tax
9% above AED 375,000 · 0% below
Every mainland company registers for Corporate Tax and files a return within nine months of its financial year end. Small Business Relief can apply to resident businesses with revenue up to AED 3 million for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2026.
Need 0% on qualifying income?The Qualifying Free Zone Person regime only applies to free zone companies, not mainland. If it matters for your model, compare IFZA or Meydan in Dubai.
UAE VAT
5% standard rate · standard VAT rules
Registration is mandatory once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000 in 12 months and optional from AED 187,500. Returns are usually filed quarterly.
Not a designated zoneDesignated zone VAT treatment only applies inside certain free zones, never to mainland companies.
Ongoing Compliance Obligations
- Corporate Tax return within 9 months of year end
- VAT returns once registered
- Annual trade licence renewal with DET
- Sector permits renewed where your activity needs them
- Audited financial statements where required
- UBO register kept up to date
Sources & official references: Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 (Corporate Tax) · Ministerial Decision No. 73 of 2023 (Small Business Relief) · Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 (VAT) · Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 (Commercial Companies) · Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)
Where Dubai Mainland Companies Operate
Almost every sector is represented on the Dubai mainland. These are the setups we see most.
Trading & Distribution
Real Estate Services
Construction & Contracting
Restaurants & Hospitality
Retail & E-commerce
Professional Services
Technology
Logistics
The TMFS Advantage
We handle Dubai mainland setups end to end, from activity selection and DET licensing to a banked, visa-ready company registered for Corporate Tax and VAT.
Activity & Licence Advice
Matching your business to the right DET activities and licence category.
Company Structure
Shareholding and holding structures set up for Corporate Tax and future growth.
MoA Drafting & Notarisation
Memorandum of Association drafted and notarised on your behalf.
Corporate Bank Account
Your application prepared alongside the licence and matched across our 18 partner banks.
Investor & Staff Visas
Investor, partner and employee visas with medicals and Emirates ID.
Corporate Tax & VAT
FTA registrations and the ongoing filings that keep you penalty-free.
Why Founders Choose TMFS in Dubai
Three things clients mention most.
Next door, not a call centre
Our office is next to Dubai Mall. Walk in, meet the consultant handling your file and sign in person when you need to.
One team, end to end
Licence, documents, premises, bank account, visas and tax with one consultant, from first call to renewal.
Written costs upfront
A written breakdown of government fees and our fee before you commit, with no surprises at renewal.
Compare Other UAE Mainland Options
Dubai offers the widest reach. Other emirates can cost less or suit specific sectors better.
UAE Mainland Overview
All seven emirates under one federal mainland system. Start here to compare.
Read more
Abu Dhabi Mainland
Mainland licences in the capital, for businesses serving Abu Dhabi clients and government entities.
Read moreSharjah Mainland
Lower-cost mainland setup with full UAE trading rights, a short drive from Dubai.
Read more
Ajman Mainland
One of the most affordable mainland licences, popular with trading and small service businesses.
Read more
Ras Al Khaimah Mainland
Mainland setup in RAK for industrial, trading and tourism businesses outside the Dubai cost base.
Read moreFujairah Mainland
East-coast mainland licences near Fujairah port, for shipping, logistics and trading.
Read moreUmm Al Quwain Mainland
Low-overhead mainland licences for small trading and service companies.
Read moreWhat Clients Say
Feedback from founders who set up with TMFS.
Dubai Mainland: Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about DET licensing and setting up on the Dubai mainland.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Dubai mainland company?
For most commercial, professional and industrial activities, yes. A short list of strategic activities still needs UAE national participation. We confirm the rule for your activity before anything is filed.
Do I need a physical office in Dubai?
Yes. A mainland company needs a registered address with an Ejari-registered tenancy. Business-centre offices work for many activities; the size of the space affects how many visas you can apply for.
Dubai mainland or a Dubai free zone?
Choose mainland if your customers, contracts or premises are in the UAE. A free zone can be cheaper and may offer 0% Corporate Tax on qualifying income, but restricts direct trade with the mainland. We compare both for your activity.
How long does Dubai mainland formation take?
Once your documents and premises are ready, DET licensing usually takes days rather than weeks. Activities needing another authority’s approval take longer. We give you a written timeline at the start.
Can a Dubai mainland company work in other emirates?
Yes. You can trade with customers anywhere in the UAE. To open a physical branch in another emirate, you register a branch with that emirate’s economic department.
Can you open the company bank account?
Yes. We prepare the bank application alongside the licence and match it to the partner bank most likely to approve your profile.
Verification & independence
Checked against publicly available DET and UAE federal sources in October 2026. Time Machine Financial Services is independent of DET and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Government of Dubai or any UAE authority.
Activity lists, package prices, approvals and tax rules change. Confirm the current position for your activity with DET and the Federal Tax Authority, or ask us, before acting on this page.
Get expert advice
Speak to a UAE setup specialist
Tell us what you need and a consultant will reply within one working day, with no obligation.
- The consultant you speak to stays on your file
- A straight answer on structure, cost and timeline
- A reply within one working day
- A free 20-minute consultation
Ready to Set Up on the Dubai Mainland?
Talk to a TMFS consultant about a DET-licensed company built around your business, from the first activity check to a working bank account.
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