At Dubiz, we understand the complexities & challenges of establishing a business in UAE’s evolving landscape. Our suite of expert business setup services is specially designed to support your venture at every stage, from inception to expansion.
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Establishing a company on the Dubai Mainland enables businesses and entrepreneurs to benefit from the dynamic business environment in Dubai. By partnering with Dubiz, you can access Dubai’s strategic location, stable economy, and business-friendly policies. Your company's success depends on comprehending the advantages and complexities of business setup in Dubai mainland. Let us explore.
Mainland company formation in UAE allows the conduct of business operations across the entire nation without any restrictions. Companies that are established on the mainland, outside the free zones, gain access to a wide range of the UAE market as well as international markets across various sectors. The Department of Economic Development (DED) of the respective Emirates issues the business license to businesses being started on the mainland in the UAE.
The best part about business setup in Dubai mainland is that according to recent legal changes that have been made, 100% ownership of most businesses is possible here, though some activities may still require partnering up with a local Emirati sponsor. Let us explore the benefits of business setup in UAE mainland.
Setting up your business on the mainland offers numerous benefits:
Establishing a company in Dubai mainland allows you to trade within and outside the UAE. This gives business owners the opportunity to expand their business in Dubai as well as across the UAE.
Situated at the intersection of Europe, Asia, and Africa, Dubai facilitates connections to vital global business markets. This strategic location makes Dubai a gateway to both the continents of Africa and Asia.
Dubai's diverse economy, including finance, real estate, tourism, and renewable energy, offers entrepreneurs ample opportunities across various industries.
Dubai's business-friendly policies have simplified company registration, licensing, and permit procedures.
The UAE’s economic development can be attributed to its political stability. Since its formation, the UAE has operated as a constitutional monarch and has successfully preserved its status quo. This politically stable environment within the UAE promotes business expansion and growth.
There are no restrictions on number of visas for mainland companies. However, for every business setup in Dubai mainland, the eligibility to apply for visas depends on the size of the office. More office space means more visas can be applied for.
There are no currency restrictions for businesses operating on the mainland in UAE.
On mainland, you get to choose from a variety of industries and business activities. Thus, there are different license categories that you can apply for. Here are the main types:
If your business is all about buying, selling goods and services, you would need a commercial license. Examples include importing, exporting, selling, and trading of products, real estate, logistics business, etc.
If your business revolves around manufacturing and industrial activities, then an industrial license would be the right choice for you. Examples include manufacturers of furniture, textiles, paper products, equipment, etc.
If you are an expert who holds specialized knowledge and experience in a field, you can provide services in Dubai, and you would need to get the professional license. Examples include IT consultants, tax consultants, healthcare workers, etc.
If you want to operate in the tourism and hospitality sector in the UAE and run businesses like tour operators, travel agencies, hotels, and so on, you would need to apply for a tourism license for your business setup in Dubai mainland.
On the mainland, you can choose from various legal forms for your establishment. Here are the common types of business structures for UAE mainland:
A single individual can start and run a business in Dubai mainland. It is a one-man show, where one person is responsible for and manages all the profits, liabilities, and even risks of the business.
Companies from other Gulf countries can also open a branch and expand to the mainland in the UAE.
LLC is a company that can have as many as 50 shareholders, where each liability is limited to the number of shares in the company they hold. In a way, mainland LLC company formation in UAE helps protect personal assets from company liabilities.
A civil company is a special type of partnership between professionals in a particular field. For example, engineers or consultants can come together and start a business.
Foreign companies can expand their businesses to the UAE. Similarly, free zone companies can spread their wings outside their designated free zones.
A parent company that owns and manages shares, assets, and other companies, often its subsidiaries.
A joint stock company is a company where the shares can be bought and sold by shareholders. It can be either a private or public joint stock company.
Starting a mainland business in Dubai is very simple when done with proper sequence and guidance. Here is the overview of business setup in Dubai mainland with Dubiz:
Select from over 2000 activities belonging to sectors like IT, education, finance, marketing, retail, fashion, science, and more. Many business activities now allow for 100% ownership without the need for local sponsors.
Select the most suitable legal structure for your business. Be careful while selecting, as it has implications for your business’s operational flexibility, liability, control structure, and more.
Next, you will select and register a trade name for your business. Here, proper consideration must be given to UAE naming rules while choosing name for business setup in UAE mainland.
To conduct any business in mainland UAE, you must first secure initial approval from the Department of Economic Development (DED).
Make sure to get the essential documents like the Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA) duly notarized. You may need a local service agent agreement in some cases.
Select the office space for your business setup in Dubai mainland. Whether a physical presence is needed or not depends on the type of trade license type of trade license and business nature.
For some business activities, you may need to get permission from specific government departments like the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Labour, Municipality, Healthcare Department, etc.
Finally, along with the documents, submit the UAE trade license application with the DED for your company setup in Dubai. Fill out the application form carefully and pay the fees. You can choose online and offline methods for this process.
You may then apply for business visa for yourself, your family, and employment visa for staff as needed. Along with that, a business bank account must be opened in the name of your mainland company in Dubai.
Here are the documents you would need to get mainland business license in Dubai:
Dubiz Business Setup can handle all your documentation and make sure it is complete and accurate.
The cost of mainland license in Dubai starts from AED 17,900* for a professional license and AED 22,900* for LLC company formation. The total Dubai mainland company formation cost depends on the nature of your business, the number of visas needed and many other factors. You can consult our experts at Dubiz Business Setup for detailed costing.
Specialising in business setup in UAE mainland, Dubiz offers services customised to meet your needs and requirements:
Starting a mainland business in the UAE is a promising adventure, but it requires a proper understanding of the legal and local rules. As an entrepreneur, you would want your company formation in Dubai mainland to be seamless, and for that, we recommend getting guidance from professional business setup consultants in the UAE.
Starting your entrepreneurial journey with Dubiz Business Setup sets the stage for success. With us as your partner, you can access expertise and resources to support your UAE mainland company formation. From company formation and UAE company registration to strategic planning, we offer comprehensive business setup services in Dubai mainland to guide you through every step of the process.
Consult our expert today for your business setup in Dubai!
Mainland license in Dubai is issued by the Department of Economic Development (DED).
A mainland company, also known as an onshore company, is a company licensed by DED in UAE that can conduct its operations in the local market of the nation as well as international markets without any restrictions.
Mainland in UAE is a jurisdiction, an economic zone, regulated by the DED of the related Emirate where businesses can be established.
A free zone company cannot operate in non-free zone areas, whereas a mainland company can freely operate its business operations anywhere across the UAE. Another difference is that a freezone business setup is regulated by respective governing authority of that freezone, whereas all mainland companies are regulated by Department of Economic Development (DED) of respective Emirate.
Yes, you can now have 100% ownership of more than 1000 commercial activities on the mainland as a foreign entrepreneur.
