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. Since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have. External approvals for legal consultancy are: Legal Affairs Department (Dubai) or Ministry of Justice. The most common businesses Malaysians open through GoldenKey are in Islamic finance, halal food, oil and gas services and education, although Dubai supports almost any activity.
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. Businesses that benefit most from Dubai mainland licensing include retail, restaurants, contracting, real estate brokerage and consulting with government clients, because they serve customers on site across the emirate.
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
Importantly, your trade name is reserved and initial approval secured from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), together with any external approvals the activity requires. We keep a written record of this step so your file for opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Malaysian founder is audit-ready.
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
Your Dubai mainland licence is released, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin. We keep a written record of this step so your file for opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Malaysian founder is audit-ready.
Documents required
The document list for opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Malaysian founder is short, and most customers already have everything on it.
- Attested law degree
- A police clearance certificate from Malaysia if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A passport issued by Malaysia with at least six months' validity
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
Pricing
Crucially, use the table below to compare packages for opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Malaysian founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. In practice, the figures below for opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Malaysian 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 2026-10-07.
Why the UAE
As we tell every client, residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Malaysian founder a route to relocation as well as a business decision. 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 a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Malaysian founder predictable.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Malaysian founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. Our quotations for opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Malaysian founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped business owners from more than 60 countries with opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Malaysian founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us.
In short, prefer to visit? Our Ajman office welcomes walk-ins during working hours, and we can also meet you in Dubai or Sharjah by appointment to discuss opening a legal consultancy in the UAE as a Malaysian founder.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
Crucially, with supporting documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) usually 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 legal consultancy allowed in Dubai?
Yes — Malaysians can own 100% of a legal consultancy in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Which licence type covers legal consultancy?
Just as important, legal Consultancy is classified as a professional activity, and GoldenKey selects the exact activity code so your licence matches what you actually do.
