WhatsApp quoteChoosing Dubai mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate clients recognise without a second thought. A mainland company in Dubai can hold a mainland office, hire staff under MOHRE contracts and register with the Chamber of Commerce for tenders. Importantly, typical examples of this activity include tourist car rental, long-term leasing, luxury car rental and chauffeur services, which can as a rule sit together on one Dubai licence. Crucially, car rental is a mainland activity regulated by the RTA in Dubai and traffic departments elsewhere, with minimum fleet sizes and a dedicated parking yard. Vehicles are registered under the company with commercial insurance.
Why Dubai
In our experience, ejari-registered office space is required for most licence types. 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. For opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Pakistani founder this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
GoldenKey files the name reservation and initial-approval request with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and obtains sector approvals where needed.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
After the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full request with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Nothing is submitted for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Pakistani founder until you have reviewed and approved it.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
From day one, your Dubai mainland licence is issued, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin.
Documents required
The document list for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Pakistani founder is short, and most clients already have everything on it.
- A bank statement from your Pakistan bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- Attested parent-company supporting documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- A passport issued by Pakistan with at least six months' validity
- Educational certificates attested by the Pakistan authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
Pricing
Crucially, all prices for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Pakistani founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing ahead of payment. Pricing for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Pakistani 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
In short, english is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Pakistani founder for international business owners. Since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Pakistani founder no longer requires a local partner.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Pakistani founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. In practice, 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 car rental company in the UAE as a Pakistani founder. As we tell every client, our quotations for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Pakistani founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything.
As we tell every client, ready to start? Send us a WhatsApp message with your nationality, the activity you have in mind and the number of visas you need, and we will reply shortly with a written quotation for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Pakistani founder.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
In our experience, with documents 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.
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.
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.
What approvals does car rental & leasing need?
In short, rTA or local traffic department. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
Which licence type covers car rental & leasing?
As we tell every client, car Rental & Leasing is classified as a commercial activity, and GoldenKey selects the exact activity code so your licence matches what you actually do.
