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. Since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have. Importantly, 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. Put simply, car Rental & Leasing in Dubai means renting and leasing vehicles to tourists, residents and corporate fleets, and it is licensed as a commercial activity.
Why Dubai
In short, among the strengths of a Dubai mainland licence are unrestricted UAE-wide trading and Government and corporate tenders, and for that reason local service businesses gravitate here. Dubai mainland licences are issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which currently processes most standard files in around 4 working days.
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
In practice, 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
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. If the authority raises a query on opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Russian founder at this stage, we handle it the same day.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
You sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
To be clear, with the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas. For opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Russian founder this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.
Documents required
Here is what you will need for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Russian founder; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.
- Parking yard tenancy
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- A police clearance certificate from Russia if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
Pricing
The figures below for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Russian founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the licensing authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. Use the table below to compare packages for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Russian 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 2026-10-07.
Why the UAE
As a rule, 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 Russian founder no longer requires a local partner. There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Russian founder can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
Day to day, if a document is missing or an approval is delayed on your Dubai file, we tell you immediately and explain the fix, rather than letting the submission sit. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Russian founder happen the same day they are ready. 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 Russian founder.
In practice, message GoldenKey now and we will prepare a personalised quotation for opening a car rental company in the UAE as a Russian founder, valid for 30 days and confirmed in writing.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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 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 approvals does car rental & leasing need?
Just as important, rTA or local traffic department. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
Is car rental & leasing allowed in Dubai?
Yes, it can. Russians can own 100% of a car rental company in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
