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. Dubai is the UAE's commercial capital — trade anywhere in the UAE with a Dubai DET licence, and GoldenKey registers mainland companies there with the economic department week in, week out. Day to day, restaurant & Café in Dubai means operating a dine-in restaurant, café, cloud kitchen or food truck, and it is licensed as a commercial activity. Day to day, the most common businesses Norwegians open through GoldenKey are in oil and gas services, maritime, seafood exports and renewable energy, 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. Importantly, 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.
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 restaurant or café in the UAE as a Norwegian founder is audit-ready.
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.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
In short, you sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file. If the authority raises a query on opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Norwegian founder at this stage, we handle it the same day.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
From day one, your Dubai mainland licence is granted, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin.
Documents required
Gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Norwegian founder.
- Educational certificates attested by the Norway authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- Your current residency visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- A police clearance certificate from Norway if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A bank statement from your Norway bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
Pricing
Pricing for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Norwegian founder depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. All prices for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Norwegian founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing ahead of payment.
- 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
As we tell every client, 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 restaurant or café in the UAE as a Norwegian founder. 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 Norwegian founder for international founders.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped company owners from more than 60 countries with opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Norwegian founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. 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 restaurant or café in the UAE as a Norwegian founder. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Norwegian founder happen the same day they are ready.
On the ground, 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 Norwegian founder in a single conversation.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
To be clear, with papers and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) typically issues the licence within 4 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Dubai mainland company?
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.
What is the difference between Dubai mainland and a free zone?
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 long does the process take for Norwegian applicants?
For most clients, processing for Norwegians follows the same timeline as other nationalities. Documents from Norway that need attestation are the main variable, and GoldenKey guides you through that step.
Is restaurant & café allowed in Dubai?
Yes. Norwegians 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.
