WhatsApp quoteDubai is the UAE's commercial capital — trade anywhere in the UAE with a Dubai DET licence, and GoldenKey registers mainland companies there with the economic department week in, week out. A mainland company in Dubai can hold a mainland office, hire staff under MOHRE contracts and register with the Chamber of Commerce for tenders. Day to day, the most common businesses Canadians open through GoldenKey are in education, engineering, healthcare and technology, although Dubai supports almost any activity. On the ground, typical examples of this activity include building contractor, MEP contractor, fit-out contractor and landscaping, which can usually sit together on one Dubai licence.
Why Dubai
Among the strengths of a Dubai mainland licence are unrestricted UAE-wide trading and Government and corporate tenders, and that is why local service businesses gravitate here. Dubai hosts the region's largest airport, port and exhibition centre.
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
We select the correct activity codes from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) list and the legal form, generally a LLC or a sole establishment. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Canadian founder.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
Put simply, your trade name is reserved and initial approval secured from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), together with any external approvals the activity requires.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
Just as important, after the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full application with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). For opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Canadian founder, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
With the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas.
Documents required
For opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Canadian founder the authority asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- Engineer's attested degree
- A bank statement from your Canada bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- A passport issued by Canada with at least six months' validity
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
Pricing
To be clear, all prices for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Canadian founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay. Pricing for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Canadian 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 2026-10-05.
Why the UAE
Banking, logistics, telecoms and digital government services in the UAE are among the most advanced in the region, which keeps the running costs of opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Canadian founder predictable. Importantly, there are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Canadian founder can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Canadian founder for traders, consultants, tech business owners and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. 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 contracting company in the UAE as a Canadian founder. In practice, most of our Dubai clients come to us through referrals from other founders, which is why we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing.
Day to day, tell us about your plans for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Canadian founder and GoldenKey will come back to you shortly with a clear price, a document checklist and a realistic timeline.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Dubai mainland and a free zone?
Importantly, 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.
Can a Dubai mainland company trade in other emirates?
Absolutely. A mainland licence is valid across the UAE, and you can open branches in other emirates by registering with their economic departments.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Dubai mainland company?
You cannot convert directly, but you can open a mainland branch of your free zone company or set up a new mainland LLC and transfer the business. GoldenKey advises on the most tax-efficient route.
Do Canadians need a UAE visa before applying for Dubai?
No. You can apply for the licence from Canada with scanned supporting documents, and the investor residence visa is processed afterwards.
Is construction & contracting allowed in Dubai?
Yes, it can. Canadians can own 100% of a contracting company in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
