WhatsApp quoteIn practice, since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have. A Dubai mainland licence, issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), lets your company trade anywhere in the UAE, bid for government work and open as many branches as you need. the Antwerp-Dubai diamond corridor is one of the world's most important, anchored by DMCC, which gives Belgian entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Dubai licence is granted. Just as important, foreign lawyers may operate as legal consultants but cannot appear before UAE courts, which is reserved for Emirati advocates. Dubai legal consultancies register with the Legal Affairs Department; DIFC and ADGM have their own regimes.
Why Dubai
Businesses that benefit most from Dubai mainland licensing include retail, restaurants, contracting, real estate brokerage and consulting with government clients, because they serve customers on site across the emirate. Dubai mainland licences are issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which currently processes most standard files in around 4 working days.
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
In practice, we pick the precise activity codes from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) list and settle on the legal form — normally a LLC, or a sole establishment for individual professionals.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
GoldenKey files the name reservation and initial-approval request with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and obtains sector approvals where needed. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Belgian founder.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
In practice, after the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full submission with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
The Dubai mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start. For opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Belgian founder this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.
Documents required
Here is what you will need for opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Belgian founder; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- A bank statement from your Belgium bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
- Attested law degree
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- A passport issued by Belgium with at least six months' validity
Pricing
Just as important, use the table below to compare packages for opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Belgian founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. In practice, pricing for opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Belgian founder depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated.
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
| Additional visa | AED 3,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual renewal | AED 12,000 |
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-07.
Why the UAE
English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Belgian founder for international founders. There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Belgian founder can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
We speak the languages our clients speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Belgian founder. Our quotations for opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Belgian founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before a single dirham changes hands anything. Put simply, because GoldenKey works with the licensing authority, the immigration department and the banks every single week, we know exactly which paperwork each of them will ask for on a Dubai file.
Prefer to visit? Our Ajman office welcomes walk-ins during working hours, and we can also meet you in Dubai or Sharjah by appointment to discuss opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Belgian founder.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
To be clear, with paperwork and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) normally issues the licence within 4 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
What is the difference between Dubai mainland and a free zone?
On the ground, mainland companies can trade directly with any UAE customer and take government contracts; free zone companies have lower costs and customs benefits but trade with the mainland through distributors. GoldenKey compares both for your specific activity.
Are Dubai mainland companies subject to corporate tax?
Absolutely. Mainland companies pay 9% corporate tax on profits above AED 375,000 and must register with the FTA, which GoldenKey handles as part of your setup.
Is legal consultancy allowed in Dubai?
Yes. Belgians can own 100% of a legal consultancy in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Do Belgians need a UAE visa before applying for Dubai?
No, it does not. You can apply for the licence from Belgium with scanned supporting documents, and the investor residence visa is processed afterwards.
