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. To be clear, choosing Dubai mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate customers recognise without a second thought. To be clear, new Zealand dairy and meat exporters rely on Dubai as their Middle East gateway, which gives New Zealander entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Dubai licence is released. On the ground, payments between New Zealand and the UAE are routine: the dirham is pegged to the dollar, New Zealand dollar (NZD) transfers settle quickly and UAE banks are familiar with New Zealander business profiles.
Why Dubai
Government and semi-government tenders in Dubai require a mainland licence and Chamber of Commerce membership, both of which GoldenKey arranges. 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
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
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. Nothing is submitted for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a New Zealander founder until you have reviewed and approved it.
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. Your portal shows the status of this step for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a New Zealander founder in real time.
Documents required
Gather these supporting documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a New Zealander founder.
- Educational certificates attested by the New Zealand authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- Attested parent-company paperwork and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- A passport released by New Zealand with at least six months' validity
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
Pricing
On the ground, all prices for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a New Zealander founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing ahead of payment. Pricing for opening a restaurant or café 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.
- 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 sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, and for that reason so many company owners choose it as a base for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a New Zealander founder. As a rule, 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 New Zealander founder for international business owners.
Why GoldenKey
Our quotations for opening a restaurant or café 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 customers speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a New Zealander founder. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a New Zealander founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves fast.
In practice, book a call with GoldenKey and we will confirm your eligibility, your costs and your next steps for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a New Zealander founder in a single conversation.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
Put simply, with paperwork 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.
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Dubai mainland company?
From day one, for most commercial and industrial activities, no. Since 2021 foreign nationals can own 100% of a Dubai mainland LLC. A short list of strategic activities still requires Emirati participation, and GoldenKey checks your activity before you commit.
Do New Zealanders need a UAE visa before applying for Dubai?
No — You can apply for the licence from New Zealand with scanned papers, and the investor residence visa is completed afterwards.
Is restaurant & café allowed in Dubai?
It can. New Zealanders 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.
