Dubai Mainland Company Formation

A Dubai Mainland Company is a legal entity licensed by the DET. It allows for unrestricted business operations across all emirates, as well as the ability to trade directly with the UAE market, including government contracts. Mainland companies can open offices anywhere in Dubai and apply for an unlimited number of visas, depending on the amount of office space available. In contrast, a Free Zone Company is incorporated within a designated jurisdiction and is restricted to operating within the Free Zone or internationally. Free Zone companies cannot trade directly in the UAE mainland without appointing a local distributor and are generally not eligible for public sector tenders. Under Federal Decree Law No. 26 of 2020, 100% foreign ownership is permitted for most commercial and industrial activities on the mainland. Certain strategic activities listed under Cabinet Decision No. 55 of 2021 still require participation by UAE nationals. EGSH facilitates the Dubai Mainland Company formation process by advising on the correct structure, helping to prepare the necessary documentation, and completing company registration with DET in full compliance with UAE regulations.

Starting a business on the mainland requires registration with DET. The standard procedure steps are the following:

Identify business activity — Choose from DET’s list of licensed commercial, industrial, or professional activities.
— Select legal form — Common options include LLC, Sole Establishment, or Civil Company, depending on ownership and activity.
— Reserve trade name — Apply for a trade name that meets DET regulations.
— Obtain initial approval — DET issues clearance to proceed; foreign investors must also obtain approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
— Prepare legal documents — Draft and notarise the Memorandum of Association (MoA) or sign a Local Service Agent (LSA) agreement, where applicable.
— Secure office premises — Lease a physical office and register the tenancy contract through Ejari.
— Obtain additional approvals — Required for regulated sectors such as healthcare, education, food services, or transport.
— Final submission and payment — Submit all documents with the initial approval receipt and pay licence fees.
— Collect trade licence — DET issues the official mainland licence, completing the company formation process.


EGSH handles each stage of the mainland business setup in the UAE to ensure speed and compliance.

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) authorises over 2,000 business activities for mainland company setup, covering commercial, professional, and industrial sectors. These include:

— Commercial activities: general trading, retail, e-commerce, real estate brokerage, food and beverage, logistics, and more.
— Professional activities: consultancy, legal services, IT services, marketing, design, and education.
— Industrial activities: manufacturing, packaging, metal works, and other light or heavy industrial operations.

Certain regulated activities, such as healthcare, education, legal consultancy, and transportation, require additional approvals from relevant authorities like the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), the Knowledge and Human
Development Authority (KHDA), the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) or Dubai Municipality before the DET will issue a Dubai mainland licence.

DET publishes an official list of activities with detailed classifications and licensing requirements. EGSH helps you identify the most suitable activities for your business model, checks compatibility if you plan to combine multiple activities under one licence, and obtains all required external approvals to complete your Dubai mainland company formation.

Yes, under UAE Federal Law No. 26 of 2020, 100% foreign ownership in Dubai is permitted for most activities without the need for a local sponsor. EGSH advises clients on eligible sectors and handles documentation accordingly.

The DET recognises several legal structures for Dubai mainland company formation. The most commonly used forms are:
— Limited Liability Company (LLC) — the most popular structure for commercial activities. It requires a minimum of two and a maximum of 50 shareholders. Under current UAE law, 100% foreign ownership is permitted in most sectors, eliminating the previous requirement for a local sponsor to be present.
— Sole Establishment — this type of business is suitable for individuals engaging in professional activities such as consultancy or freelancing. It is owned entirely by one person and does not allow partners.
— Civil Company — is designed for professional partnerships, such as doctors, lawyers, or engineers who wish to operate as a team under a shared licence. Full foreign ownership is permitted depending on the activity.
— Private and public shareholding companies (PJSC and PLC) are used for large-scale investment or financial enterprises. These structures involve a higher degree of regulation and capital requirements.

The legal form you choose for your company affects its operational scope, liability, visa quota and ability to participate in government tenders. EGSH provides complete legal guidance on selecting the most suitable and compliant structure, preparing the Memorandum of Association, and completing the entire company incorporation process via DET on your behalf.

As of UAE Federal Decree Law No. 26 of 2020, 100% foreign ownership is permitted for most commercial and industrial activities in the Dubai mainland. This means no local sponsor or Emirati partner is required in these cases. However, a local service agent (LSA) may still be needed for specific professional licences, such as consultancy or medical services. Still, they do not hold ownership or interfere in company operations. Some strategic sectors, such as defence, oil and gas, and security services, still require UAE national ownership or partnership, as listed in Cabinet Decision No. 55 of 2021 on Activities with Strategic Impact («negative list»).

Yes, a legal business setup in the UAE mainland requires a physical office address, which must be registered through the official Ejari system. The DLD manages Ejari and serves as proof of tenancy. The DET mandates submission of a valid Ejari certificate to finalise the Dubai mainland licence. EGSH assists with office selection, tenancy documentation, and Ejari processing to ensure a smooth approval process.

Key documents include passport copies, Emirates ID (if applicable), MoA, initial approval, trade name certificate, and Ejari.

Additional external approvals may be required depending on the nature of your business activity. For example:

Healthcare and pharmaceutical businesses must obtain approval from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA)
Education and training providers require clearance from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA)
Restaurants, salons, and retail food outlets need permits from the Dubai Municipality
The Dubai Engineering Qualification Section must approve engineering firms and consultancies

EGSH ensures full compliance by preparing and verifying the complete document package and coordinating with all relevant authorities to facilitate faster Dubai mainland company formation.

On average, completing UAE mainland company formation takes from 3 to 5 working days, provided that all documents and approvals are in order. EGSH accelerates timelines through pre-checked documentation and direct access to the DET system.

In the Dubai mainland, the visa quota refers to the number of employee residence visas a company can apply for. This quota is set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) and depends primarily on:

Office space size — A general guideline is one visa per 9 m² leased office area (Ejari-registered).
Business activity type — Certain professional and consulting activities may have a lower visa requirement, while industrial or trading businesses may be eligible for more.
Legal structure and economic classification — LLC companies typically qualify for higher staffing volumes than sole proprietorships.


The quota affects the number of staff members who can be legally sponsored and your ability to expand operations.

EGSH calculates your eligible visa quota during the Dubai mainland company setup process and manages all MOHRE and GDRFA submissions for employee and investor visas, ensuring compliance and a smooth onboarding process.

Yes. As of 1 June 2023, mainland companies in Dubai are subject to UAE Corporate Tax at a standard rate of 9% on net taxable profits exceeding AED 375,000, in accordance with Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022. Businesses with annual earnings below this threshold are exempt from this requirement. Specific sectors, such as oil & gas and banking, may be subject to separate tax regimes. EGSH helps mainland businesses determine their tax obligations and maintain compliance.

Yes. A Dubai mainland licence issued by DET allows you to conduct wholesale, retail, import, export, and e-commerce activities in the UAE and internationally. This licence type offers unrestricted access to domestic markets and the ability to trade directly with clients, suppliers, and government bodies. EGSH assists with obtaining your commercial licence on the mainland, including trade name reservation, documentation, and regulatory approvals.