WhatsApp quoteGoldenKey helps company owners compare Dubai mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are. 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. From day one, filipinos are one of the largest communities in the UAE, estimated at around 700,000 to 1,000,000 people, so the Dubai authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Filipino applications every day and process them without hesitation. Filipino entrepreneurs run thousands of UAE restaurants, salons, clinics and trading firms, which gives Filipino entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Dubai licence is granted.
Why Dubai
Dubai mainland licences are released by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which currently processes most standard files in around 4 working days. Ejari-registered office space is required for most licence types.
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
Day to day, we select the correct activity codes from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) list and the legal form, usually a LLC or a sole establishment.
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. For opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Filipino founder, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
For most clients, after the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full file with 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. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Filipino founder.
Documents required
Gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Filipino founder.
- Educational certificates attested by the Philippines authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- A police clearance certificate from Philippines if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
Pricing
Pricing for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Filipino founder depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. As we tell every client, use the table below to compare packages for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Filipino founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation.
- 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
The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Filipino founder and makes international pricing simple. The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many company owners choose it as a base for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Filipino founder.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Filipino founder for traders, consultants, tech company owners and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves promptly. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Filipino founder happen the same day they are ready. Our quotations for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Filipino founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything.
Message GoldenKey now and we will prepare a personalised quotation for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Filipino founder, valid for 30 days and confirmed in writing.
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.
Can a Dubai mainland company trade in other emirates?
It can. A mainland licence is valid across the UAE, and you can open branches in other emirates by registering with their economic departments.
How much office space do I need for a Dubai mainland licence?
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.
Is construction & contracting allowed in Dubai?
Yes. Filipinos can own 100% of a contracting company in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Which licence type covers construction & contracting?
In our experience, construction & Contracting is classified as a commercial activity, and GoldenKey selects the exact activity code so your licence matches what you actually do.
