WhatsApp quoteGoldenKey helps company owners compare Dubai mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are. 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. On the ground, 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. In short, external approvals for construction & contracting are: municipality contractor classification; civil defence for MEP work.
Why Dubai
Among the strengths of a Dubai mainland licence are unrestricted UAE-wide trading and Government and corporate tenders, which is why local service businesses gravitate here. Importantly, 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
GoldenKey maps your business to the right Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) activity codes and recommends the legal form that fits ownership and liability needs. Your portal shows the status of this step for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a French founder in real time.
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.
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). Your portal shows the status of this step for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a French founder in real time.
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.
Documents required
As a rule, for opening a contracting 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.
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- A passport released by France with at least six months' validity
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- A bank statement from your France bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- Attested parent-company paperwork and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
Pricing
In practice, use the table below to compare packages for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a French founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. The figures below for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a French 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 2026-10-06.
Why the UAE
In our experience, the UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, and that is why so many company owners choose it as a base for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a French founder. Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes opening a contracting company in the UAE as a French founder a route to relocation as well as a business decision.
Why GoldenKey
Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a French founder happen the same day they are ready. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a contracting company in the UAE as a French founder for traders, consultants, tech business owners and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. Our quotations for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a French founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything.
Book a call with GoldenKey and we will confirm your eligibility, your costs and your next steps for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a French founder in a single conversation.
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.
Are Dubai mainland companies subject to corporate tax?
Yes. 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.
Do French nationals need a UAE visa before applying for Dubai?
No, it does not. You can apply for the licence from France with scanned documents, and the investor residency visa is processed afterwards.
Is construction & contracting allowed in Dubai?
It can. French nationals can own 100% of a contracting company in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
