WhatsApp quoteA Fujairah mainland licence, issued by the Fujairah Municipality and Department of Industry and Economy, lets your company trade anywhere in the UAE, bid for government work and open as many branches as you need. Fujairah is the UAE's east-coast gateway — shipping, bunkering and Indian Ocean trade, and GoldenKey registers mainland companies there with the economic department week in, week out. For most clients, external approvals for maritime & ship services are: port authority registration; FTA for bunkering. As we tell every client, typical examples of this activity include ship chandling, crew change services, marine spares and vessel management, which can generally sit together on one Fujairah licence.
Why Fujairah
From day one, among the strengths of a Fujairah mainland licence are direct Indian Ocean port access and World-class bunkering hub, and that is why local service businesses gravitate here. Fujairah mainland licences are issued by the Fujairah Municipality and Department of Industry and Economy, which currently processes most standard files in around 4 working days.
How Fujairah works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
We pick the precise activity codes from the Fujairah Municipality and Department of Industry and Economy list and settle on the legal form — normally a LLC, or a sole establishment for individual professionals.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
Your trade name is reserved and initial approval secured from the Fujairah Municipality and Department of Industry and Economy, together with any external approvals the activity requires. For opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a Chinese founder, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
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.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
Your Fujairah mainland licence is issued, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin. For opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a Chinese founder this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.
Documents required
To be clear, for opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a Chinese founder the authority asks for the following supporting documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- Educational certificates attested by the China authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- Attested parent-company papers and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- A bank statement from your China bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
Pricing
All prices for opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a Chinese founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay. To be clear, use the table below to compare packages for opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a Chinese founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation.
- 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 2,700 |
|---|---|
| Annual renewal | AED 7,800 |
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
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 maritime services company in the UAE as a Chinese founder predictable. The UAE's reputation as a trading hub means international clients and suppliers already trust a UAE licence, which shortens sales cycles for opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a Chinese founder.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a Chinese founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves fast. For most clients, most of our Fujairah clients come to us through referrals from other business owners, so we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a Chinese founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us.
On the ground, tell us about your plans for opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a Chinese founder and GoldenKey will come back to you shortly with a clear price, a document checklist and a realistic timeline.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Fujairah mainland company?
For most commercial and industrial activities, no. Since 2021 foreign nationals can own 100% of a Fujairah mainland LLC. A short list of strategic activities still requires Emirati participation, and GoldenKey checks your activity before you commit.
Are Fujairah 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.
How much office space do I need for a Fujairah mainland licence?
The Fujairah Municipality and Department of Industry and Economy 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.
Is maritime & ship services allowed in Fujairah?
It can. Chinese nationals can own 100% of a maritime services company in the UAE. {brand} recommends Fujairah for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Can a Chinese citizen own 100% of a company in Fujairah?
Yes. Chinese nationals can own the full share capital of a Fujairah company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
