WhatsApp quoteChoosing Dubai mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate clients recognise without a second thought. 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. In our experience, the most common businesses Filipinos open through GoldenKey are in retail, food and beverage, healthcare and hospitality, although Dubai supports almost any activity. 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 issued.
Why Dubai
Dubai mainland licences are issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which currently processes most standard files in around 4 business days. A Dubai mainland company can apply for an unlimited visa quota in proportion to its office space, which free zone packages cannot match.
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. Nothing is submitted for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Filipino founder until you have reviewed and approved it.
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
For most clients, 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). We keep a written record of this step so your file for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Filipino founder is audit-ready.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
Your Dubai mainland licence is issued, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin.
Documents required
On the ground, the document list for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Filipino founder is short, and most clients already have everything on it.
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- A bank statement from your Philippines bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- A passport issued by Philippines with at least six months' validity
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- A police clearance certificate from Philippines if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
Pricing
Use the table below to compare packages for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Filipino founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. In short, the figures below for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Filipino 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
The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for opening a restaurant or café 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 founders choose it as a base for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Filipino founder.
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 restaurant or café in the UAE as a Filipino founder. From day one, our quotations for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Filipino founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before any payment anything. To be clear, most of our Dubai clients come to us through referrals from other company owners, which is why we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing.
To be clear, if you would like a written quotation for opening a restaurant or café in the UAE as a Filipino founder, use the form below or message us on WhatsApp and we will respond as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
On the ground, 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.
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.
Is restaurant & café allowed in Dubai?
Yes. Filipinos 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.
Can a Filipino citizen own 100% of a company in Dubai?
Yes — Filipinos can own the full share capital of a Dubai company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
