WhatsApp quoteA Dubai mainland licence, released by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), lets your company trade anywhere in the UAE, bid for government work and open as many branches as you need. Dubai 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. In practice, for French entrepreneurs, the UAE is around 7 hours from Paris, the UAE is 2 to 3 hours ahead of France, and English is used for business, and French-speaking advisers are easy to find in Dubai. Put simply, french brands and groups have a major footprint in the UAE, from Louvre Abu Dhabi to the Sorbonne campus, which gives French entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Dubai licence is issued.
Why Dubai
Put simply, among the strengths of a Dubai mainland licence are unrestricted UAE-wide trading and Government and corporate tenders, and for that reason local service businesses gravitate here. 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.
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
In practice, 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 files the name reservation and initial-approval request with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and obtains sector approvals where needed. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a French founder.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
To be clear, 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
Your Dubai mainland licence is issued, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin. If the authority raises a query on opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a French founder at this stage, we handle it the same day.
Documents required
For opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a French founder the authority asks for the following paperwork, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- A police clearance certificate from France if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- Tenancy contract
- A bank statement from your France bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
Pricing
In practice, the figures below for opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a French founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the registrar changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. As we tell every client, use the table below to compare packages for opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a French 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
The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a French founder and makes international pricing simple. There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a French founder can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
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 cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a French founder. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a French founder for traders, consultants, tech company owners and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves fast. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a French founder happen the same day they are ready.
To be clear, book a call with GoldenKey and we will confirm your eligibility, your costs and your next steps for opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as a French founder in a single conversation.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
With papers and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) typically issues the licence within 4 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Dubai mainland company?
As we tell every client, 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.
Are Dubai mainland companies subject to corporate tax?
It can. 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.
Is cleaning & facilities management allowed in Dubai?
Yes. French nationals can own 100% of a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Do French nationals need a UAE visa before applying for Dubai?
No. You can apply for the licence from France with scanned supporting documents, and the investor UAE residence visa is handled afterwards.
