Company setup ยท Mainland
Set up a mainland company and trade across the UAE
A mainland licence lets you sell to anyone in the UAE, open shops and offices anywhere, bid for government contracts and hold as many visas as your office allows. We handle the licence, the approvals, the office registration and the visas.
What it is
A mainland (onshore) company is licensed by the emirate's Department of Economy, in Dubai the Department of Economy and Tourism. It can trade directly with customers anywhere in the UAE, take on government work and open branches across the emirates. Since 2021, most commercial and industrial activities allow 100% foreign ownership.
Who it suits
- Businesses whose customers are mainly in the UAE
- Shops, restaurants, clinics and anything customer-facing
- Contractors and companies bidding for government work
- Businesses that need a larger team on UAE visas
Licence types
- Commercial: buying and selling goods, from retail to general trading and transport
- Professional: services built on skill and expertise, such as consultancy, accounting, design and IT
- Industrial: manufacturing, processing and production
Each licence can carry several activities. Some need approval from another authority as well, for example health, education, food, real estate or construction, and we arrange those approvals as part of the setup.
A short list of strategic activities still needs a UAE partner, including banking and insurance, telecoms, defence, commercial agencies and Hajj and Umrah services. If yours is one of them, we tell you before you commit.
What the setup covers
- Choosing the licence type and activities, and the legal structure
- Trade name reservation and initial approval
- The memorandum of association, drafted and notarised
- Office registration on Ejari, from a business centre desk upwards
- The trade licence and the establishment (immigration) card
- Residence visas, corporate tax registration and bank account support
Documents you'll need
- A passport copy for every owner, valid for at least six months
- A passport-style photo for every owner
- Your current UAE visa and Emirates ID, if you have them
- A no-objection letter from your employer, if you are employed in the UAE
- A signed tenancy contract for the office, which we can arrange
How it works
- 1Activities and structureWe agree the licence type, activities and legal form with you.
- 2Name and initial approvalWe reserve the trade name and get the initial approval.
- 3Documents and officeWe draft and notarise the MOA and register the office on Ejari.
- 4Licence issuedThe licence is issued, usually within one to two weeks.
- 5Visas, bank and taxWe process the visas, support the bank account and register for corporate tax.
Pricing
Mainland costs depend on the emirate, the licence type and activities, any external approvals, the office lease and the number of visas.
Start your order online, or message us, and we send an itemised quotation: the licence, the registration, any visas and the office, with the government fees shown as their own lines. It is in writing before anything is filed, and it does not change afterwards unless you change what you ask for.
FAQ
Can I own 100% of a mainland company?
For most commercial and industrial activities, yes. A short list of strategic activities still needs a UAE partner, and some professional licences use a local service agent, who holds no shares and has no control.
Do I need an office?
Yes, a mainland company needs an office registered on Ejari. A desk in a business centre usually qualifies, and the size of the office sets how many visas you can hold.
How many visas can I get?
There is no fixed cap. The number is set by your office space, so a larger office supports more visas.
How long does it take?
Usually one to two weeks to the licence, longer if your activity needs another authority's approval. Visas follow after the licence.
Can a mainland company work with free zone companies?
Yes. A mainland company can trade with any company in the UAE, inside or outside a free zone.
A note on scope: DocuGulf is a documentation facilitation service. Licences, registrations and visas are issued by the relevant UAE authorities and free zones, and filed through licensed partners. Reach us at info@docugulf.com or +971 58 569 3628.
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Ready to set up on the mainland?
Tell us what the business does and we will send an itemised quotation for your licence, office and visas.
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