WhatsApp quoteA Fujairah mainland licence, issued by the Fujairah Municipality and Department of Industry and Economy, lets your company trade anywhere in the UAE, bid for government work and open as many branches as you need. GoldenKey helps founders compare Fujairah mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are. In short, 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. In short, the most common businesses French nationals open through GoldenKey are in luxury retail, hospitality, aviation and energy, although Fujairah supports almost any activity.
Why Fujairah
For most clients, fujairah Port is one of the world's top three bunkering ports. To be clear, among the strengths of a Fujairah mainland licence are direct Indian Ocean port access and World-class bunkering hub, so local service businesses gravitate here.
How Fujairah works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
To be clear, we pick the precise activity codes from the Fujairah Municipality and Department of Industry and Economy list and settle on the legal form — normally a LLC, or a sole establishment for individual professionals. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a French founder.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
GoldenKey files the name reservation and initial-approval request with the Fujairah Municipality and Department of Industry and Economy and obtains sector approvals where needed.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
Put simply, you sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file. If the authority raises a query on opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a French founder at this stage, we handle it the same day.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
In practice, with the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas.
Documents required
Here is what you will need for opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a French founder; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- Educational certificates attested by the France authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
Pricing
Use the table below to compare packages for opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a French founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. All prices for opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a French founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay.
- 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 2,700 |
|---|---|
| Annual renewal | AED 7,800 |
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 UAE's reputation as a trading hub means international clients and suppliers already trust a UAE licence, which shortens sales cycles for opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a French founder. 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 maritime services company in the UAE as a French founder predictable.
Why GoldenKey
In short, we will tell you plainly if Fujairah is not the right choice for your plan and point you to a better option, even when that option costs less. For most clients, every Fujairah package we quote already includes the licence, registration, the establishment card where applicable and our full assistance, with no hidden add-ons at the end. 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 maritime services company in the UAE as a French founder.
As a rule, prefer to visit? Our Ajman office welcomes walk-ins during working hours, and we can also meet you in Dubai or Sharjah by appointment to discuss opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a French founder.
Frequently asked questions
How much office space do I need for a Fujairah mainland licence?
In short, the Fujairah Municipality and Department of Industry and Economy 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.
How long does Fujairah mainland company formation take?
In practice, with documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Fujairah Municipality and Department of Industry and Economy typically issues the licence within 4 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Fujairah mainland company?
Put simply, for most commercial and industrial activities, no. Since 2021 foreign nationals can own 100% of a Fujairah mainland LLC. A short list of strategic activities still requires Emirati participation, and GoldenKey checks your activity before you commit.
Is maritime & ship services allowed in Fujairah?
Yes. French nationals can own 100% of a maritime services company in the UAE. {brand} recommends Fujairah for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Can a French citizen own 100% of a company in Fujairah?
Yes. French nationals can own the full share capital of a Fujairah company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
