Choosing Dubai mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate customers recognise without a second thought. GoldenKey helps business owners compare Dubai mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are. In short, payments between Lithuania and the UAE are routine: the dirham is pegged to the dollar, euro (EUR) transfers settle quickly and UAE banks are familiar with Lithuanian business profiles. In short, for Lithuanian company owners, the UAE is around 6.5 hours from Vilnius, the UAE is 1 to 2 hours ahead of Lithuania, and English is the business language.
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. 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. We keep a written record of this step so your file for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Lithuanian founder is audit-ready.
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
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). Nothing is submitted for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Lithuanian founder until you have reviewed and approved it.
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.
Documents required
For opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Lithuanian founder the licensing authority asks for the following supporting documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- Unit ownership or landlord NOC for holiday homes
- A police clearance certificate from Lithuania if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- A bank statement from your Lithuania bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
Pricing
Pricing for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Lithuanian founder depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. The figures below for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Lithuanian founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the registrar 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 2026-10-07.
Why the UAE
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 hospitality business in the UAE as a Lithuanian founder. The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Lithuanian founder and makes international pricing simple.
Why GoldenKey
As we tell every client, 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 hospitality business in the UAE as a Lithuanian founder. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Lithuanian founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Lithuanian founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly.
To be clear, book a call with GoldenKey and we will confirm your eligibility, your costs and your next steps for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Lithuanian founder in a single conversation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Dubai mainland and a free zone?
As a rule, 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.
Can a Dubai mainland company trade in other emirates?
Yes, it can. A mainland licence is valid across the UAE, and you can open branches in other emirates by registering with their economic departments.
Is tourism & hospitality allowed in Dubai?
It can. Lithuanians can own 100% of a hospitality business in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
How long does the process take for Lithuanian applicants?
Processing for Lithuanians follows the same timeline as other nationalities. Documents from Lithuania that need attestation are the main variable, and GoldenKey guides you through that step.


