WhatsApp quoteFor most clients, mainland company formation in Dubai is the right choice when your customers are inside the UAE, when you need a shop, clinic or contracting classification, or when visa quota matters. GoldenKey helps founders compare Dubai mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are. To be clear, the most common businesses Irish nationals open through GoldenKey are in aviation leasing, construction, education and hospitality, although Dubai supports almost any activity. GoldenKey has Irish customers from Dublin, Cork and Galway, and our consultants understand the supporting documents issued in Ireland and how to attest them for the UAE.
Why Dubai
Government and semi-government tenders in Dubai require a mainland licence and Chamber of Commerce membership, both of which GoldenKey arranges. Ejari-registered office space is required for most licence types.
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
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. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as an Irish founder.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
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
The Dubai mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start. If the authority raises a query on opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as an Irish founder at this stage, we handle it the same day.
Documents required
Here is what you will need for opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as an Irish founder; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- Educational certificates attested by the Ireland authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
Pricing
Pricing for opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as an Irish founder depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. On the ground, the figures below for opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as an Irish 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
Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as an Irish founder a route to relocation as well as a business decision. 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 an Irish founder and makes international pricing simple.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as an Irish founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. Day to day, our quotations for opening a cleaning and facilities company in the UAE as an Irish founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything. 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 an Irish founder happen the same day they are ready.
As a rule, 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 an Irish founder in a single conversation.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Can a Dubai mainland company trade in other emirates?
Absolutely. A mainland licence is valid across the UAE, and you can open branches in other emirates by registering with their economic departments.
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.
Which licence type covers cleaning & facilities management?
In short, cleaning & Facilities Management is classified as a commercial activity, and GoldenKey selects the exact activity code so your licence matches what you actually do.
Do Irish nationals need a UAE visa before applying for Dubai?
No. You can apply for the licence from Ireland with scanned papers, and the investor residence visa is handled afterwards.
