WhatsApp quoteA mainland company in Dubai can hold a mainland office, hire staff under MOHRE contracts and register with the Chamber of Commerce for tenders. A Dubai mainland licence, issued 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. Japan is one of the UAE's largest energy customers and a major source of vehicles and machinery, which gives Japanese entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Dubai licence is released. Crucially, japanese nationals are a community of several thousand, mainly in trading houses, automotive, energy and engineering, so the Dubai authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Japanese applications every day and process them without hesitation.
Why Dubai
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. Day to day, among the strengths of a Dubai mainland licence are unrestricted UAE-wide trading and Government and corporate tenders, and for that reason local service businesses gravitate here.
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 files the name reservation and initial-approval request with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and obtains sector approvals where needed. Nothing is submitted for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Japanese founder until you have reviewed and approved it.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
Crucially, 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
With the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas. We keep a written record of this step so your file for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Japanese founder is audit-ready.
Documents required
For opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Japanese founder the issuing authority asks for the following paperwork, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- A passport granted by Japan with at least six months' validity
- A police clearance certificate from Japan if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A bank statement from your Japan bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- Engineer's attested degree
- Attested parent-company papers and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
Pricing
Use the table below to compare packages for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Japanese founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. Day to day, all prices for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Japanese 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
- 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
Put simply, since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Japanese founder no longer requires a local partner. In our experience, the UAE's reputation as a trading hub means international customers and suppliers already trust a UAE licence, which shortens sales cycles for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Japanese founder.
Why GoldenKey
In our experience, 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 Japanese founder happen the same day they are ready. 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 a Japanese founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. We speak the languages our customers 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 a Japanese founder.
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 Japanese founder in a single conversation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Dubai mainland and a free zone?
Day to day, 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?
Absolutely. 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.
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?
Yes. Japanese 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.
Do Japanese nationals need a UAE visa before applying for Dubai?
Not in that case. You can apply for the licence from Japan with scanned papers, and the investor residence visa is completed afterwards.
