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. A mainland company in Dubai can hold a mainland office, hire staff under MOHRE contracts and register with the Chamber of Commerce for tenders. The most common businesses Chinese nationals open through GoldenKey are in trading, manufacturing, electronics and e-commerce, although Dubai supports almost any activity. Importantly, 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.
Why Dubai
Businesses that benefit most from Dubai mainland licensing include retail, restaurants, contracting, real estate brokerage and consulting with government clients, because they serve customers on site across the emirate. Day to day, 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.
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
In our experience, 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. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Chinese founder.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
Importantly, 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).
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. Nothing is submitted for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Chinese founder until you have reviewed and approved it.
Documents required
Importantly, for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Chinese founder the licensing authority asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- A police clearance certificate from China if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- 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 short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
Pricing
Pricing for opening a travel agency 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 travel agency in the UAE as a Chinese founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the issuing 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 travel agency 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 travel agency in the UAE as a Chinese founder predictable.
Why GoldenKey
To be clear, 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 travel agency in the UAE as a Chinese founder. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a travel agency 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 without delay. Most of our Dubai customers come to us through referrals from other founders, so we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing.
Book a call with GoldenKey and we will confirm your eligibility, your costs and your next steps for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a Chinese founder in a single conversation.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Dubai mainland company?
Put simply, 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.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Dubai mainland company?
Just as important, 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.
Is travel & tourism agency allowed in Dubai?
It can. Chinese nationals can own 100% of a travel agency in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Do Chinese nationals need a UAE visa before applying for Dubai?
No. You can apply for the licence from China with scanned documents, and the investor residence visa is processed afterwards.
