WhatsApp quoteSince the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have. A mainland company in Dubai can hold a mainland office, hire staff under MOHRE contracts and register with the Chamber of Commerce for tenders. Put simply, typical examples of this activity include building contractor, MEP contractor, fit-out contractor and landscaping, which can usually sit together on one Dubai licence. Crucially, external approvals for construction & contracting are: municipality contractor classification; civil defence for MEP work.
Why Dubai
In practice, ejari-registered office space is required for most licence types. A Dubai mainland company can apply for an unlimited visa quota in proportion to its office space, which free zone packages cannot match.
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, usually a LLC or a sole establishment. We keep a written record of this step so your file for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Chinese founder is audit-ready.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
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
In practice, the memorandum of association is signed (online or before the notary), your tenancy is registered and the complete file is submitted to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). If the authority raises a query on opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Chinese founder at this stage, we handle it the same day.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
In practice, your Dubai mainland licence is issued, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin.
Documents required
The document list for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Chinese founder is short, and most customers already have everything on it.
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- Engineer's attested degree
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
- Your current UAE residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
Pricing
As we tell every client, use the table below to compare packages for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Chinese founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. On the ground, pricing for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Chinese 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
Crucially, there are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Chinese founder can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely. The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, and that is why so many founders choose it as a base for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Chinese founder.
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 contracting company in the UAE as a Chinese founder happen the same day they are ready. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Chinese founder for traders, consultants, tech company owners and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves fast. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Chinese founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us.
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 contracting company in the UAE as a Chinese founder.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Dubai mainland company?
For most commercial and industrial activities, no. Since 2021 foreign nationals can own 100% of a Dubai mainland LLC. A short list of strategic activities still requires Emirati participation, and GoldenKey checks your activity before you commit.
What is the difference between Dubai mainland and a free zone?
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.
How much office space do I need for a Dubai mainland licence?
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.
Which licence type covers construction & contracting?
Just as important, construction & Contracting is classified as a commercial activity, and GoldenKey selects the exact activity code so your licence matches what you actually do.
Can a Chinese citizen own 100% of a company in Dubai?
Yes, it can. Chinese nationals can own the full share capital of a Dubai company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
