Choosing Dubai mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate clients recognise without a second thought. A 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. As we tell every client, payments between Indonesia and the UAE are routine: the dirham is pegged to the dollar, Indonesian rupiah (IDR) transfers settle quickly and UAE banks are familiar with Indonesian business profiles. For Indonesian founders, the UAE is around 8.5 hours from Jakarta, 3 hours ahead of the UAE, and English is the working language.
Why Dubai
Dubai mainland licences are issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which currently processes most standard files in around 4 working days. 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 select the correct activity codes from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) list and the legal form, usually a LLC or a sole establishment. If the authority raises a query on opening a contracting company in the UAE as an Indonesian founder at this stage, we handle it the same day.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
Importantly, 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.
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 an Indonesian founder in real time.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
The Dubai mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start.
Documents required
The document list for opening a contracting company in the UAE as an Indonesian founder is short, and most customers already have everything on it.
- A police clearance certificate from Indonesia if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A passport issued by Indonesia with at least six months' validity
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- Engineer's attested degree
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- A bank statement from your Indonesia bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
Pricing
Use the table below to compare packages for opening a contracting company in the UAE as an Indonesian founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. All prices for opening a contracting company in the UAE as an Indonesian founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before a single dirham changes hands.
- 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 2026-10-05.
Why the UAE
English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies opening a contracting company in the UAE as an Indonesian founder for international founders. The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for opening a contracting company in the UAE as an Indonesian founder and makes international pricing simple.
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 contracting company in the UAE as an Indonesian founder. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with opening a contracting company in the UAE as an Indonesian founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. Our quotations for opening a contracting company in the UAE as an Indonesian founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything.
Call or WhatsApp GoldenKey today and a consultant will walk you through opening a contracting company in the UAE as an Indonesian founder step by step, with no obligation and no pressure.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
In practice, with documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) normally issues the licence within 4 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
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.
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.
Is construction & contracting allowed in Dubai?
It can. Indonesians can own 100% of a contracting company in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Is there a double taxation agreement between Indonesia and the UAE?
Absolutely. The UAE and Indonesia have a double taxation agreement, and a UAE tax residency certificate lets you claim treaty relief on qualifying income. GoldenKey can obtain the certificate once your company is established.


