WhatsApp quoteSince the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have. 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. Just as important, external approvals for engineering consultancy are: municipality engineering consultancy registration. Day to day, payments between Ireland and the UAE are routine: the dirham is pegged to the dollar, euro (EUR) transfers settle quickly and UAE banks are familiar with Irish business profiles.
Why Dubai
Ejari-registered office space is required for most licence types. 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.
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.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
GoldenKey reserves your trade name and obtains initial approval from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), including any external approvals your activity needs. Nothing is submitted for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as an Irish founder until you have reviewed and approved it.
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. For opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as an Irish founder, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
Documents required
Just as important, gather these paperwork and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as an Irish founder.
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
- Attested parent-company supporting documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- Educational certificates attested by the Ireland authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- Engineer's attested degree and experience letters
- A police clearance certificate from Ireland if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
Pricing
Importantly, use the table below to compare packages for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as an Irish founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. Pricing for opening an engineering consultancy 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.
- 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
For most clients, 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 an engineering consultancy in the UAE as an Irish founder predictable. Importantly, residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as an Irish founder a route to relocation as well as a business decision.
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 an engineering consultancy in the UAE as an Irish founder. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries with opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as an Irish founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. Our quotations for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as an Irish founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything.
Tell us about your plans for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as an Irish founder and GoldenKey will come back to you shortly with a clear price, a document checklist and a realistic timeline.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
How long does the process take for Irish applicants?
In short, processing for Irish nationals follows the same timeline as other nationalities. Documents from Ireland that need attestation are the main variable, and GoldenKey guides you through that step.
Is engineering consultancy allowed in Dubai?
Yes, it can. Irish nationals can own 100% of an engineering consultancy in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
