Dubai Mainland Company Setup with Complete Freedom
Get full access to the UAE market with a mainland license. Trade across all seven emirates, access government contracts, and build a trusted local presence with 100% foreign ownership.
Dubai Mainland Company Setup with 100% Foreign Ownership (2025)
Setting up a mainland company in Dubai gives you full access to the UAE market, the ability to sell across all seven emirates, and a strong local presence that banks and clients trust. In 2025 most business activities on the Dubai mainland allow 100% foreign ownership.
What Instacorp Handles
- Business activity scoping and legal structure selection
- Trade name reservation and initial approval with DET
- Memorandum of Association drafting and notarization
- Office guidance and Ejari registration
- Final mainland trade license issuance from Dubai DET
- Corporate tax registration with FTA
- VAT registration when required
- MOHRE establishment and WPS setup
- Immigration file opening and residence visas
- Banking introductions and KYC support
Key Advantages
A Dubai mainland license opens doors to opportunities across the entire UAE
100% Foreign Ownership
Full control of your Dubai mainland company with complete foreign ownership rights
UAE-Wide Trading
Operate and trade freely across all seven emirates without restrictions
Local Presence
Build a trusted brand with banks and clients through an onshore presence
Government Contracts
Bid for government and large corporate contracts with your mainland license
Direct Market Access
Sell directly to UAE customers without needing local distributors
No Minimum Capital
Most activities require no minimum capital to get started
Who a Dubai Mainland License Is Best For
Dubai mainland setup is ideal for businesses focused on the UAE market
Retail & F&B Brands
Physical outlets, restaurants, shops, or chains across the UAE
B2B/B2C Service Providers
Companies whose customers are primarily UAE-based
E-Commerce Businesses
Sell to UAE customers without needing a local distributor
Government Contractors
Companies bidding for government and corporate contracts
What Instacorp Handles for You
We turn a complex multi-authority process into one managed project
Business activity scoping and legal structure selection
Trade name reservation and initial approval with DET
Memorandum of Association drafting and notarization
Office guidance and Ejari registration
Final mainland trade license issuance from Dubai DET
Corporate tax registration with FTA
VAT registration when required
MOHRE establishment and WPS setup
Immigration file opening and residence visas
Banking introductions and KYC support
Choose Your Legal Structure
Select the right legal form for your business activities
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Most common structure for trading and industrial activities
- Ideal for most commercial businesses
- Requires at least one shareholder
- Suitable for trading and manufacturing
- Flexible ownership structure
Sole Establishment
For individual entrepreneurs and professional services
- Single owner structure
- Common for professional services
- Simplified setup process
- Full control and ownership
Branch of Foreign Company
Extend your existing business into Dubai
- For existing international companies
- Extend operations to UAE
- Maintain parent company structure
- Simplified registration process
Step-by-Step Setup Process
We guide you through every stage of mainland company registration
Identify Business Activities & Legal Form
Choose exact activities matching your business and select the appropriate legal structure
- Use DET and Invest in Dubai activity lists to choose activities
- Limited Liability Company (LLC) for trading and industrial activities
- Sole establishment or civil company for professional services
- Branch of foreign company for extending existing business
Reserve Trade Name
Select a name meeting DET naming rules and reserve it through official channels
- Name must reflect your business activities
- Comply with UAE naming regulations
- Reserve via DET or Invest in Dubai portal
- Check availability before finalizing
Obtain Initial Approval
Submit owner details, legal form and activities to DET for initial approval
- Submit complete owner information
- Specify legal form and activities
- Receive initial approval to proceed
- Enables documentation and external approvals
Secure Office Space & Ejari
Lease suitable premises and register through Ejari for Dubai properties
- Office, shop or warehouse matching your activity
- Must comply with zoning regulations
- Register lease through Ejari system
- Office size affects MOHRE visa quotas
Draft & Sign Constitutional Documents
Prepare Memorandum of Association and related documents for notarization
- Memorandum of Association preparation
- Partner or board resolutions
- Notarization and legalization required
- Special handling for corporate shareholders
Obtain External Approvals (If Needed)
Secure additional approvals for regulated activities in specific sectors
- Healthcare sector approvals
- Education and training licenses
- Financial services and insurance
- Media and telecoms permissions
Finalize Trade License Issuance
Submit completed documents to DET and receive your trade license
- Submit all required documents
- Pay official government fees
- Receive trade license from DET
- Obtain Dubai Unified Licence details
Post-Licensing Registrations
Complete corporate tax, VAT, MOHRE and immigration registrations
- Corporate tax registration with FTA
- VAT registration where applicable
- MOHRE establishment and WPS setup
- Immigration file opening with GDRFA and ICP
Requirements to Start a Mainland Business
Essential requirements for setting up your Dubai mainland company
- Choose at least one approved business activity
- Select a legal form allowed for that activity
- Have at least one shareholder (individual or corporate)
- Designate a manager in the license
- Secure an office address matching your activity and planning rules
- Meet any minimum capital requirements for regulated activities
- Register for corporate tax and, when necessary, VAT
100% Foreign Ownership: Foreign ownership is now allowed at 100% for most activities, subject to strategically restricted sectors defined by UAE commercial companies' rules. Learn more about full foreign ownership →
Required Documents
We'll guide you through gathering all necessary documentation
Individual Shareholders
- Passport copy (valid 6+ months)
- Passport-sized photo
- Emirates ID (if UAE resident)
- NOC from current sponsor (if required)
Corporate Shareholders
- Certificate of incorporation
- Memorandum and articles
- Board resolution
- Register of directors
New Company
- Proposed trade name
- List of activities
- Office lease and Ejari
- Signed Memorandum of Association
Cost of Mainland Formation
All-inclusive pricing with no hidden fees
Typical Cost Components
Note: Exact costs depend on your activities, legal form, number of shareholders, and premises. Instacorp provides a detailed cost breakdown tailored to your structure, including year-one and typical renewal costs.
Visas, Labour & WPS Setup
Complete support for hiring and sponsoring your team
What You Can Do
- Register with MOHRE & obtain establishment card
- Enroll in Wage Protection System (WPS)
- Sponsor residence visas for owners & staff
- Support dependent visas for families
Key Points
- Visa quotas influenced by activity & office size
- WPS compliance essential to avoid fines
- Labour contracts must match license activities
- On-time salary payments mandatory
Instacorp manages the sequence of MOHRE and immigration steps so your hiring plan aligns with your visa capacity. We coordinate with MOHRE, GDRFA, and ICP to ensure smooth processing of establishment cards, work permits, and residence visas.
Corporate Tax & VAT Registration
We handle all your tax registration and compliance requirements
Corporate Tax
- 0% tax on income up to AED 375,000
- 9% tax above AED 375,000
- FTA registration included
- Tax return filing support
- Ongoing compliance guidance
VAT Registration
- 5% standard VAT rate
- Mandatory threshold registration
- Voluntary registration support
- VAT return filing guidance
- Import/export VAT advice
Important: Most juridical persons with a UAE trade license must register for corporate tax and file returns, even if income is below the taxable threshold. Instacorp connects you with accounting support to keep your returns and records compliant.
Mainland vs Free Zone
Understanding which option is best for your business
Choose Mainland If You:
- Sell mainly to UAE-based customers
- Need physical shops, clinics, or offices
- Plan to bid for government contracts
- Want maximum local market flexibility
- Require onshore business presence
Consider Free Zone If You:
- Trade mainly with international customers
- Need warehousing near ports/airports
- Prefer flexible office requirements
- Want sector-specific ecosystem
- Focus on import/export business
Dubai Mainland Setup FAQs
Can a foreigner own 100% of a mainland company in Dubai?
Yes. Under current UAE rules, most commercial and professional activities on the mainland allow 100% foreign ownership, subject to some strategic exceptions defined by law. Guidance on full foreign ownership is available at the official UAE government portal.
Learn moreHow long does it take to set up a mainland company in Dubai?
If your structure is straightforward and documents are complete, license issuance can often be completed within days. Additional time is needed for MOHRE registration, immigration files, visas and bank account opening. Complex activities or extra regulatory approvals can extend the timeline.
Do I need to be in Dubai to open a mainland company?
Many steps can be handled remotely using digital signatures and a power of attorney where appropriate. However, certain actions like some bank meetings and biometric appointments for residence visas must be done in person. Instacorp plans the process so any travel is efficient and minimal.
Do I need to register for corporate tax even if my profits are low?
Generally, yes. Most juridical persons that hold a UAE trade license must register for corporate tax and file returns, even if their income is below the threshold where tax becomes payable. Natural persons have a specific business income threshold of AED 1 million per Gregorian year for corporate tax registration.
Learn moreCan Instacorp help if I already have a mainland license and only need tax or visa support?
Yes. Instacorp can support existing businesses with corporate tax and VAT registration, compliance reviews, visa and quota optimization, and structural changes such as partner changes, activity amendments or license upgrades.
What is the difference between mainland and free zone?
Mainland companies can trade throughout the UAE and open physical outlets anywhere, while free zones are ideal for international trading. Mainland gives you direct access to the local market and government contracts. Free zones offer more flexible office requirements and sector-focused ecosystems.
What legal structures are available for mainland companies?
The main structures include: Limited Liability Company (LLC) for most trading and industrial activities, Sole establishment or civil company for many professional services, and Branch of a foreign company if you are extending an existing business into Dubai.
Learn moreWhat activities require external approvals?
Certain regulated activities require extra approvals, including healthcare, education and training, financial services and insurance, and media and telecoms. Instacorp identifies these requirements and sequences approvals so there are no last-minute surprises.
What office space do I need for a mainland company?
You need an office, shop, or warehouse suitable for your activity and zoning. The lease must be registered through Ejari for Dubai premises. Office size can influence MOHRE visa quotas for larger teams.
Ready to Launch Your Dubai Mainland Company?
Get complete DET licensing, tax registration, visa support, and banking assistance. Start trading across all UAE emirates with 100% foreign ownership.
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