WhatsApp quoteAs we tell every client, since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection business owners 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. Typical examples of this activity include café, cloud kitchen, fine dining and catering, which can generally sit together on one Dubai licence. For most clients, payments between Latvia and the UAE are routine: the dirham is pegged to the dollar, euro (EUR) transfers settle quickly and UAE banks are familiar with Latvian business profiles.
Why Dubai
A Dubai mainland company can apply for an unlimited visa quota in proportion to its office space, which free zone packages cannot match. 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. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Latvian founder.
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.
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). We keep a written record of this step so your file for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Latvian founder is audit-ready.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
Your Dubai mainland licence is issued, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin.
Documents required
Here is what you will need for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Latvian founder; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- Tenancy contract for the outlet
- A police clearance certificate from Latvia if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
Pricing
Use the table below to compare packages for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Latvian founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. The figures below for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Latvian 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
English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Latvian founder for international founders. 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 restaurant or café in the UAE as a Latvian founder.
Why GoldenKey
Our quotations for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Latvian founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Latvian founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. In short, most of our Dubai clients come to us through referrals from other founders, so we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing.
From day one, call or WhatsApp GoldenKey today and a consultant will walk you through opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Latvian founder step by step, with no obligation and no pressure.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
Just as important, with paperwork and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as a rule issues the licence within 4 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
Can a Dubai mainland company trade in other emirates?
Yes. A mainland licence is valid across the UAE, and you can open branches in other emirates by registering with their economic departments.
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 restaurant & café allowed in Dubai?
Yes. Latvians can own 100% of a restaurant or café in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
What approvals does restaurant & café need?
Importantly, municipality food control, civil defence and, for alcohol, the relevant licensing authority. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
