WhatsApp quoteA mainland company in Dubai can hold a mainland office, hire staff under MOHRE contracts and register with the Chamber of Commerce for tenders. GoldenKey helps founders compare Dubai mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are. In practice, canadian universities, engineering firms and agri-food exporters are well established in the UAE, which gives Canadian entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Dubai licence is released. Just as important, the most common businesses Canadians open through GoldenKey are in education, engineering, healthcare and technology, although Dubai supports almost any activity.
Why Dubai
Among the strengths of a Dubai mainland licence are unrestricted UAE-wide trading and Government and corporate tenders, which is why local service businesses gravitate here. 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
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. Your portal shows the status of this step for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Canadian founder in real time.
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.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
You sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file. For opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Canadian founder, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
In our experience, your Dubai mainland licence is released, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin.
Documents required
Here is what you will need for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Canadian founder; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- Unit ownership or landlord NOC for holiday homes
- A bank statement from your Canada bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
Pricing
Crucially, use the table below to compare packages for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Canadian founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. Pricing for opening a hospitality business 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 2026-10-06.
Why the UAE
From day one, english is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Canadian founder for international founders. The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Canadian founder and makes international pricing simple.
Why GoldenKey
Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Canadian founder happen the same day they are ready. 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 hospitality business in the UAE as a Canadian founder. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a hospitality business 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.
For most clients, 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 hospitality business in the UAE as a Canadian founder.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
From day one, with documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) nine times out of ten issues the licence within 4 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Dubai mainland company?
Importantly, 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.
How much office space do I need for a Dubai mainland licence?
From day one, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) requires a registered tenancy for most licences. A small office or a desk in a business centre is enough for a few visas, and the visa quota increases with the floor area.
Do Canadians need a UAE visa before applying for Dubai?
Not in that case. You can apply for the licence from Canada with scanned documents, and the investor residence visa is handled afterwards.
Is tourism & hospitality allowed in Dubai?
Absolutely. Canadians can own 100% of a hospitality business in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
