WhatsApp quoteCrucially, since 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. As we tell every client, chinese nationals are a community of roughly 200,000 to 300,000 people, with Dragon Mart and International City as its commercial heart, so the Dubai authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Chinese applications every day and process them without hesitation. Put simply, real Estate Brokerage in Dubai means brokering the sale and leasing of property on behalf of owners and buyers, and it is licensed as a commercial activity.
Why Dubai
Popular districts for a Dubai mainland office include Business Bay, Deira, Bur Dubai, Jumeirah Lakes Towers and Al Quoz, each with different rent levels and customer footfall. Government and semi-government tenders in Dubai require a mainland licence and Chamber of Commerce membership, both of which GoldenKey arranges.
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
As we tell every client, 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.
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. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a Chinese founder.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
After the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full application with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
For most clients, with the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas. For opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a Chinese founder, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
Documents required
The document list for opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a Chinese founder is short, and most customers already have everything on it.
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- Educational certificates attested by the China authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- A passport granted by China with at least six months' validity
Pricing
From day one, pricing for opening a real estate brokerage 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. The figures below for opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a Chinese founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one.
- 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
Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a Chinese founder a route to relocation as well as a business decision. In short, since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a Chinese founder no longer requires a local partner.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a Chinese founder for traders, consultants, tech entrepreneurs and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. As a rule, our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a Chinese founder happen the same day they are ready. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries with opening a real estate brokerage in the UAE as a Chinese founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us.
In practice, tell us about your plans for opening a real estate brokerage 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
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.
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.
Can a Dubai mainland company trade in other emirates?
Yes, it can. A mainland licence is valid across the UAE, and you can open branches in other emirates by registering with their economic departments.
How long does the process take for Chinese applicants?
In short, processing for Chinese nationals follows the same timeline as other nationalities. Documents from China that need attestation are the main variable, and GoldenKey guides you through that step.
Do Chinese nationals need a UAE visa before applying for Dubai?
No. You can apply for the licence from China with scanned paperwork, and the investor UAE residence visa is processed afterwards.
