Business Setup in Dubai Mainland
Establish your company in the UAE mainland and unlock unlimited opportunities across the UAE market.
Complexity
Medium
Timeline
2 – 4 weeks
Estimated Cost
AED 18,000 – 35,000+
In the Knowledge Hub
Journey Overview
This journey helps you establish a mainland company in Dubai, allowing you to trade anywhere in the UAE market and work with both government and private entities.
Ideal For
Entrepreneurs, SMEs, and investors looking to operate within the UAE market.
Expected Outcome
A fully compliant mainland company with trade license and operational capability.
Key Highlight
100% foreign ownership in most activities and access to unlimited market.
Top Benefits
Market Access
Trade anywhere in the UAE with no restrictions.
Unlimited Growth
No limits on the number of visas and employees.
Credibility
Build trust with clients, government and banks.
Long-Term Stability
A sustainable business with full legal protection.
Eligibility Criteria
Ideal Candidate
Entrepreneurs, investors, and companies of all sizes.
Minimum Requirements
Valid Passport, Visa (if any), and business activity.
Potential Challenges
Approvals may vary based on activity and documentation.
Alternatives
Free Zone or Offshore setup may be suitable.
Requirements
Documents
- Passport Copies
- Visa Copy (if any)
- Emirates ID (if any)
- Passport Size Photo
Financial
- Share Capital
- Initial Approval Fees
- License Fees
- Office Lease
Legal
- MOA / Local Service Agent
- Trade Name Approval
- License Application
- Government Approvals
Operational
- Office Space
- Visa Applications
- Bank Account
- Business Plan (if required)
Process Flow
View Full Process- 1
Activity Selection
Choose your business activity.
- 2
Name Approval
Submit and get trade name approval.
- 3
Initial Approval
Receive initial approval from DED.
- 4
Documentation
Prepare and submit required documents.
- 5
License Issuance
Receive your trade license.
- 6
Visa & Banking
Apply for visas and open bank account.
- 1
Activity Selection
Choose your business activity.
- 2
Name Approval
Submit and get trade name approval.
- 3
Initial Approval
Receive initial approval from DED.
- 4
Documentation
Prepare and submit required documents.
- 5
License Issuance
Receive your trade license.
- 6
Visa & Banking
Apply for visas and open bank account.
Steps and documents
What happens at each stage, who does what, and the documents each step needs.
Discovery
· 1 stepTasks
- Pick a business activityYou
- Validate activity feasibilityZayn
Ask Zayn about this stepDocuments
- Passport CopiesRequired
- Passport-Size PhotoRequired
Qualification
· 1 stepPreparation
· 1 stepSubmission
· 1 stepApproval
· 1 stepCompletion
· 1 stepDocuments checklist
- Passport CopiesNeeded for: Activity SelectionRequired
- Passport-Size PhotoNeeded for: Activity SelectionRequired
- Trade Name ReservationNeeded for: Name ApprovalRequired
- Initial Approval CertificateNeeded for: Initial ApprovalRequired
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)Needed for: DocumentationRequired
- Tenancy Contract (Ejari)Needed for: DocumentationRequired
- Trade LicenseNeeded for: License IssuanceRequired
- Emirates ID (if any)Needed for: Visa & BankingOptional
After this journey
A licensed mainland company — operational, with visas and a corporate bank account.
Where to next
Timeline
- Best Case3 – 10 days
- Average2 – 4 weeks
- Delay Scenario4 – 8+ weeks
Indicative · updated 2026-06-29
Cost Overview
- Government FeesAED 13,000 – 22,000
- Professional FeesAED 5,000 – 15,000
- Office & Visas (optional)AED 15,000+
Indicative · updated 2026-06-29
Risks & Considerations
- Documentation Delays
- Activity Approval Variations
- Office Lease Requirements
- Renewal & Compliance
Journey Snapshot
Legal Structure
LLC (Mainland)
Foreign Ownership
100%
License Validity
1 yr · annual renewal
Visa Eligibility
Office-based quota
Bank Account
~5 days (DUL)
Indicative · updated 2026-06-29
Journey Overview
This journey helps you establish a mainland company in Dubai, allowing you to trade anywhere in the UAE market and work with both government and private entities.
Ideal For
Entrepreneurs, SMEs, and investors looking to operate within the UAE market.
Expected Outcome
A fully compliant mainland company with trade license and operational capability.
Key Highlight
100% foreign ownership in most activities and access to unlimited market.
Top Benefits
Market Access
Trade anywhere in the UAE with no restrictions.
Unlimited Growth
No limits on the number of visas and employees.
Credibility
Build trust with clients, government and banks.
Long-Term Stability
A sustainable business with full legal protection.
Eligibility Criteria
Ideal Candidate
Entrepreneurs, investors, and companies of all sizes.
Minimum Requirements
Valid Passport, Visa (if any), and business activity.
Potential Challenges
Approvals may vary based on activity and documentation.
Alternatives
Free Zone or Offshore setup may be suitable.
Requirements
Documents
- Passport Copies
- Visa Copy (if any)
- Emirates ID (if any)
- Passport Size Photo
Financial
- Share Capital
- Initial Approval Fees
- License Fees
- Office Lease
Legal
- MOA / Local Service Agent
- Trade Name Approval
- License Application
- Government Approvals
Operational
- Office Space
- Visa Applications
- Bank Account
- Business Plan (if required)
Process Flow
View Full Process- 1
Activity Selection
Choose your business activity.
- 2
Name Approval
Submit and get trade name approval.
- 3
Initial Approval
Receive initial approval from DED.
- 4
Documentation
Prepare and submit required documents.
- 5
License Issuance
Receive your trade license.
- 6
Visa & Banking
Apply for visas and open bank account.
- 1
Activity Selection
Choose your business activity.
- 2
Name Approval
Submit and get trade name approval.
- 3
Initial Approval
Receive initial approval from DED.
- 4
Documentation
Prepare and submit required documents.
- 5
License Issuance
Receive your trade license.
- 6
Visa & Banking
Apply for visas and open bank account.
Steps and documents
What happens at each stage, who does what, and the documents each step needs.
Discovery
· 1 stepTasks
- Pick a business activityYou
- Validate activity feasibilityZayn
Ask Zayn about this stepDocuments
- Passport CopiesRequired
- Passport-Size PhotoRequired
Qualification
· 1 stepPreparation
· 1 stepSubmission
· 1 stepApproval
· 1 stepCompletion
· 1 stepDocuments checklist
- Passport CopiesNeeded for: Activity SelectionRequired
- Passport-Size PhotoNeeded for: Activity SelectionRequired
- Trade Name ReservationNeeded for: Name ApprovalRequired
- Initial Approval CertificateNeeded for: Initial ApprovalRequired
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)Needed for: DocumentationRequired
- Tenancy Contract (Ejari)Needed for: DocumentationRequired
- Trade LicenseNeeded for: License IssuanceRequired
- Emirates ID (if any)Needed for: Visa & BankingOptional
After this journey
A licensed mainland company — operational, with visas and a corporate bank account.
Where to next
Timeline
- Best Case3 – 10 days
- Average2 – 4 weeks
- Delay Scenario4 – 8+ weeks
Indicative · updated 2026-06-29
Cost Overview
- Government FeesAED 13,000 – 22,000
- Professional FeesAED 5,000 – 15,000
- Office & Visas (optional)AED 15,000+
Indicative · updated 2026-06-29
Risks & Considerations
- Documentation Delays
- Activity Approval Variations
- Office Lease Requirements
- Renewal & Compliance
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