WhatsApp quoteA 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. 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. Day to day, kenyans are a growing East African community working in aviation, hospitality, logistics and trade, so the Dubai authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Kenyan applications every day and process them without hesitation. In short, the most common businesses Kenyans open through GoldenKey are in agricultural exports, tea and coffee trading, logistics and tourism, although Dubai supports almost any activity.
Why Dubai
Government and semi-government tenders in Dubai require a mainland licence and Chamber of Commerce membership, both of which GoldenKey arranges. Among the strengths of a Dubai mainland licence are unrestricted UAE-wide trading and Government and corporate tenders, and that is why local service businesses gravitate here.
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, as a rule a LLC or a sole establishment.
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. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Kenyan founder.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
You sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file.
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. For opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Kenyan founder, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
Documents required
For opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Kenyan founder the registrar asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- A passport issued by Kenya with at least six months' validity
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- A police clearance certificate from Kenya if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A bank statement from your Kenya bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
Pricing
On the ground, use the table below to compare packages for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Kenyan founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. The figures below for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Kenyan 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
In our experience, the UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many founders choose it as a base for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Kenyan founder. To be clear, 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 car rental company in the UAE as a Kenyan founder.
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 car rental company in the UAE as a Kenyan founder. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries with opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Kenyan founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. Our quotations for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Kenyan founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, ahead of payment anything.
Ready to start? Send us a WhatsApp message with your nationality, the activity you have in mind and the number of visas you need, and we will reply shortly with a written quotation for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Kenyan founder.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
Crucially, 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.
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.
Are Dubai mainland companies subject to corporate tax?
Yes. 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.
Is car rental & leasing allowed in Dubai?
Yes. Kenyans can own 100% of a car rental company in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
What approvals does car rental & leasing need?
As we tell every client, rTA or local traffic department. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
