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, released 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. Put simply, the most common businesses New Zealanders open through GoldenKey are in dairy exports, education, aviation and hospitality, although Dubai supports almost any activity. Just as important, payments between New Zealand and the UAE are routine: the dirham is pegged to the dollar, New Zealand dollar (NZD) transfers settle promptly and UAE banks are familiar with New Zealander business profiles.
Why Dubai
Among the strengths of a Dubai mainland licence are unrestricted UAE-wide trading and Government and corporate tenders, which is why local service businesses gravitate here. 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.
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
We pick the precise activity codes from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) list and settle on the legal form — normally a LLC, or a sole establishment for individual professionals.
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 an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a New Zealander 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
From day one, with the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas. Your portal shows the status of this step for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a New Zealander founder in real time.
Documents required
Here is what you will need for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a New Zealander founder; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- A passport issued by New Zealand with at least six months' validity
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- Educational certificates attested by the New Zealand authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
Pricing
Pricing for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a New Zealander founder depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. All prices for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a New Zealander 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
English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a New Zealander founder for international founders. In our experience, 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 an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a New Zealander founder predictable.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries with opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a New Zealander founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. Our quotations for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a New Zealander founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything. 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 an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a New Zealander founder.
Book a call with GoldenKey and we will confirm your eligibility, your costs and your next steps for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a New Zealander founder in a single conversation.
Frequently asked questions
How much office space do I need for a Dubai mainland licence?
Just as important, 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.
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
With supporting documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) typically issues the licence within 4 working days (Monday to Friday). External approvals for regulated activities add time.
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 engineering consultancy allowed in Dubai?
Yes. New Zealanders can own 100% of an engineering consultancy in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
What approvals does engineering consultancy need?
Municipality engineering consultancy registration. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
