Mainland Company Formation in Dubai

If you want to do business activities outside and inside of the UAE then Dubai mainland company formation license is a perfect choice.
At Express Dubai, we provide complete support to our valuable clients and make this process smooth and effortless.

What is a Mainland Company in UAE?

A mainland company often known as onshore company allow business and entrepreneurs to perform their business activates both inside and outside the UAE.

The Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (DED) provide mainland company trade license and there is no need of having a physical office.

Dubai Mainland offers commercial and professional license which is considered as premium license.

Benefits of mainland company formation in UAE

There are multiple benefits of setting up a mainland company in Dubai which are following:

Complete Ownership: Mainland companies provide you with full flexibility and control and you can have 100% ownership of it.
Operation Freedom: You operate your business inside mainland, free zones and outside of UAE without any limitations.
Office Flexibility: You can own or rent an office within UAE as per your business needs however having a physical office is not mandatory.
Work With Government: You can do business collaborations with government entities as they needs specialized contractors for multiple projects.
Financial Viability: Dubai mainland companies can enjoy the benefits of free zone companies that includes taxes exclusion. Moreover, you don’t need any minimum capital requirement for Dubai mainland company formation.
Banking Ease: You can easily open your business bank accounts even with the traditional banks.
Scalable Business: You can add more visas to the trade license because scalability of your business is very easy in this type.

Licenses Types Available For Dubai Mainland Firm

The ease of doing business and various benefits is the primary reason that attracts many entrepreneurs and investors in the UAE. At Express Dubai, we help you choose best type of Business type out of multiple options that will make your Dubai mainland company setup journey smooth and effortless.

Industrial License

If your business is to transform natural resources or materials into finished goods like production, packaging, accumulation and segregation then industrial license is the best choice.

Commercial License

This license type is recommended for those companies that are dealing in buying, selling of goods, commodities or any other type of trade activities within the UAE. Moreover, the business involves in real estate activities and retail construction can also buy this DED Commercial License.

Professional License

Any corporation or individual that offer services based on their skillset, talent and ability can avail professional license. This also includes multiple fields like design, accounting, tourism, and other professional services.

Tourism License

There are further 3 types of tourism license which are Inbound, outbound and Travel agency.
Inbound Tourism License: This type of license is for those companies that organize tours within UAE.
Outbound Tourism License: This type of license is for those companies that organize tours beyond UAE borders like international meetings, conferences etc.
Travel Agency License: Those companies that offers travel services like visa support, transportation and other travel-related assistance.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Dubai Mainland Company Formation

Dubai mainland company formation may be challenging for you but after reading this thorough guide your whole journey becomes stress-free.

1. Select Your Business Activity

Out of 1000 activities listed by (DED) Department of Economic Development you have to select your business activity that align with your company’s goals and objectives.

2. Choose Your Company Structure

Now you have to finalize the company structure based on following common available options:
Sole proprietorship
Civil Company
Limited liability company (LLC)
Private limited company (PLC)
Public joint stock company (PJSC)
Branches, regional headquarters and representative offices of foreign companies

3. Register Your Company’s Name with DED

Choose a unique name for your company that doesn’t with any other company in Dubai. After the approval of your company’s name you can register it with DED that takes around 3 working days.

4. Get Initial Approvals

Our expert agents will help you to obtain initial government approvals of your application which is indeed an important step to proceed further.

5. Choose an Ideal Office Location

By keeping in mind your business operational needs you can choose best office location from following options:
Virtual Offices
Leased Offices
Fully-Owned Offices
Commercial Buildings
Warehouses and Workshops
Real Estate Regulation Authority (RERA), tenancy agreement, and EJARI documents needs to be submitted following the DED approval.

6. Prepare Memorandum of Association (MOA)

Express Dubai can help you drafting your (MOA) in which ownership terms, company structure and operational regulations will be defined clearly and carefully.

7. Mainland License Issuance

Our expert agents will submit all the required documents and upon DED verification you have to pay the fees and get your mainland trade license.

8. Open Your Business Bank Account

To manage your finance securely and streamlining your financial tractions you have to choose the best banking partner whether digital or traditional with the help of our expert finance team guidance.

9. Apply for Relevant Visa

As your mainland trade license is approved so you can apply for relevant visas like Employee Work Visas, Investor/Stakeholder Visas, Family Residence Permits etc. via our expert assistance.

Why Express Dubai?

Expert Guidance

Get professional business strategies from our experienced consultants, designed for your unique business needs.

Custom Solutions

Streamlined, cost-effective company setup packages to simplify your journey from start to success.

Hassle-Free Process

Transparent pricing using secure payment gateways and clear timelines with no delays and hidden charges.

End-to-End Support

From licensing and compliance to expansions and renewals, we’ve got you covered at every step.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

A Mainland Company is a business entity legally registered with the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED). Upon approval, the DED grants a trade license, authorizing the company to operate anywhere within the UAE.

Yes, you can establish and operate a mainland business in the UAE without a local sponsor.

Yes, 100% foreign ownership is allowed for most mainland business activities. Some activities still require a local sponsor. You can check with DED for your specific activity.

Mainland businesses have no fixed visa limits in Dubai. The exact number of visas you can obtain is determined by your company’s office space size and compliance with DED regulations.

Setting up a mainland company in Dubai typically takes around 5 days. However, depending on the business type and specific requirements, the process may extend to a few weeks in some cases.

Yes, it is possible to convert a Free Zone company to a Dubai Mainland company. However, since there is no direct transfer process, you’ll need to cancel your Free Zone license and apply for a new one with the Department of Economic Development (DED). This involves reapplying for visas, VAT registration, and completing the entire business setup process. Expert guidance is strongly recommended due to the complexity involved.

No, setting up a mainland company in Dubai requires a physical office. As per regulations, a minimum office space of 200 square feet is mandatory for obtaining a mainland business license. For international ventures, see our offshore setup services.