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. In our experience, since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have. In our experience, 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 issued. GoldenKey has New Zealander clients from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and our consultants understand the papers granted in New Zealand and how to attest them for the UAE.
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. Put simply, 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
For most clients, 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
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. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a New Zealander founder.
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
The Dubai mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start. For opening a travel agency in the UAE as a New Zealander founder, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
Documents required
The document list for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a New Zealander founder is short, and most clients already have everything on it.
- A police clearance certificate from New Zealand if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A bank statement from your New Zealand bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- Tourism department approval
Pricing
Use the table below to compare packages for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a New Zealander founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. The figures below for opening a travel agency in the UAE as a New Zealander 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
For most clients, residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes opening a travel agency in the UAE as a New Zealander founder a route to relocation as well as a business decision. In our experience, there are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from opening a travel agency in the UAE as a New Zealander founder can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
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 travel agency in the UAE as a New Zealander founder. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped company owners from more than 60 countries with opening a travel agency in the UAE as a New Zealander founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a travel agency 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 quickly.
From day one, call or WhatsApp GoldenKey today and a case manager will walk you through opening a travel agency in the UAE as a New Zealander founder step by step, with no obligation and no pressure.
Frequently asked questions
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.
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Dubai mainland company?
In short, 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.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Dubai mainland company?
Just as important, you cannot convert directly, but you can open a mainland branch of your free zone company or set up a new mainland LLC and transfer the business. GoldenKey advises on the most tax-efficient route.
Is travel & tourism agency allowed in Dubai?
Yes. New Zealanders can own 100% of a travel agency in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
How long does the process take for New Zealander applicants?
Processing for New Zealanders follows the same timeline as other nationalities. Documents from New Zealand that need attestation are the main variable, and GoldenKey guides you through that step.
