WhatsApp quoteA Dubai mainland licence, granted by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), lets your company trade anywhere in the UAE, bid for government work and open as many branches as you need. A mainland company in Dubai can hold a mainland office, hire staff under MOHRE contracts and register with the Chamber of Commerce for tenders. For most clients, engineering Consultancy in Dubai means civil, structural, MEP and project-management engineering consultancy, and it is licensed as a professional activity. From day one, engineering consultancies that sign off on drawings must be registered with the municipality and employ a licensed engineer with the required years of experience. Advisory-only engineering work can run from a free zone.
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. Businesses that benefit most from Dubai mainland licensing include retail, restaurants, contracting, real estate brokerage and consulting with government customers, because they serve customers on site across the emirate.
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.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
In practice, 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. For opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a Russian founder, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
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).
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
With the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas. Your portal shows the status of this step for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a Russian founder in real time.
Documents required
For opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a Russian founder the issuing authority asks for the following supporting documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- A police clearance certificate from Russia if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A bank statement from your Russia 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
For most clients, all prices for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a Russian founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing ahead of payment. Day to day, the figures below for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a Russian 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
In practice, since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a Russian founder no longer requires a local partner. Crucially, banking, logistics, telecoms and digital government services in the UAE are among the most advanced in the region, which keeps the running costs of opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a Russian founder predictable.
Why GoldenKey
Our quotations for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a Russian founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything. In short, most of our Dubai clients come to us through referrals from other entrepreneurs, and that is why we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing. 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 an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a Russian founder.
Prefer to visit? Our Ajman office welcomes walk-ins during working hours, and we can also meet you in Dubai or Sharjah by appointment to discuss opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a Russian founder.
Frequently asked questions
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 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.
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.
Which licence type covers engineering consultancy?
Day to day, engineering Consultancy is classified as a professional activity, and GoldenKey selects the exact activity code so your licence matches what you actually do.
Is engineering consultancy allowed in Dubai?
It can. Russians can own 100% of an engineering consultancy in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
