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. Mainland company formation in Dubai is the right choice when your customers are inside the UAE, when you need a shop, clinic or contracting classification, or when visa quota matters. For most clients, china is the UAE's largest non-oil trading partner and Jebel Ali is the main gateway for Chinese goods into the Middle East and Africa, which gives Chinese entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Dubai licence is released. GoldenKey has Chinese customers from Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, and our consultants understand the papers issued in China and how to attest them for the UAE.
Why Dubai
As we tell every client, 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
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.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
GoldenKey reserves your trade name and obtains initial approval from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), including any external approvals your activity needs. If the authority raises a query on opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Chinese founder at this stage, we handle it the same day.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
In our experience, 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
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 restaurant or café in the UAE as a Chinese founder, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
Documents required
For opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Chinese founder the licensing authority asks for the following supporting documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- Your current UAE residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- A passport issued by China with at least six months' validity
- Educational certificates attested by the China authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- A police clearance certificate from China if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
Pricing
Pricing for opening a restaurant or café 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. In short, use the table below to compare packages for opening a restaurant or café 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
- 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
Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Chinese founder a route to relocation as well as a business decision. 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 restaurant or café in the UAE as a Chinese founder predictable.
Why GoldenKey
Day to day, our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Chinese 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 restaurant or café in the UAE as a Chinese founder. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Chinese founder for traders, consultants, tech business owners and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves promptly.
As we tell every client, if you would like a written quotation for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Chinese founder, use the form below or message us on WhatsApp and we will respond as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
How much office space do I need for a Dubai mainland licence?
Day to day, 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 I still need an Emirati partner for a Dubai mainland company?
To be clear, 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.
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
With documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as a rule issues the licence within 4 working days (Monday to Friday). External approvals for regulated activities add time.
How long does the process take for Chinese applicants?
On the ground, 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.
Is restaurant & café allowed in Dubai?
Yes. Chinese nationals can own 100% of a restaurant or café in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
