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. 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, external approvals for architecture & design are: municipality registration for permit submissions. Day to day, the most common businesses South Koreans open through GoldenKey are in construction, electronics, beauty and cosmetics and energy, although Dubai supports almost any activity.
Why Dubai
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. 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
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
Importantly, 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. Nothing is submitted for opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a South Korean founder until you have reviewed and approved it.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
To be clear, after the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full application 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. For opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a South Korean founder this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.
Documents required
Put simply, for opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a South Korean founder the authority asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- Attested parent-company papers and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
- A bank statement from your South Korea bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- Educational certificates attested by the South Korea authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
Pricing
In short, the figures below for opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a South Korean founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. Use the table below to compare packages for opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a South Korean 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
Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a South Korean founder a route to relocation as well as a business decision. Day to day, the UAE's reputation as a trading hub means international clients and suppliers already trust a UAE licence, which shortens sales cycles for opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a South Korean founder.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a South Korean founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. To be clear, our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a South Korean founder happen the same day they are ready. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a South Korean founder for traders, consultants, tech company owners and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly.
Tell us about your plans for opening an architecture practice in the UAE as a South Korean founder and GoldenKey will come back to you shortly with a clear price, a document checklist and a realistic timeline.
Frequently asked questions
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.
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.
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
With supporting documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as a rule issues the licence within 4 working days (Monday to Friday). External approvals for regulated activities add time.
Is architecture & design allowed in Dubai?
Yes, it can. South Koreans can own 100% of an architecture practice in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
How long does the process take for South Korean applicants?
Processing for South Koreans follows the same timeline as other nationalities. Documents from South Korea that need attestation are the main variable, and GoldenKey guides you through that step.
