WhatsApp quoteDubai 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. Since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have. On the ground, south Koreans are a community anchored by construction, nuclear energy, electronics and beauty brands, so the Dubai authority, the banks and the immigration officers see South Korean applications every day and process them without hesitation. Importantly, payments between South Korea and the UAE are routine: the dirham is pegged to the dollar, South Korean won (KRW) transfers settle quickly and UAE banks are familiar with South Korean business profiles.
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 working days. Dubai hosts the region's largest airport, port and exhibition centre.
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
We pick the precise activity codes from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) list and settle on the legal form — normally a LLC, or a sole establishment for individual professionals.
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. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a South Korean founder.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
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. We keep a written record of this step so your file for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a South Korean founder is audit-ready.
Documents required
Just as important, for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a South Korean founder the authority asks for the following papers, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- A passport granted by South Korea with at least six months' validity
- Engineer's attested degree and experience letters
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- 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
Pricing
All prices for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a South Korean founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before any payment. In our experience, use the table below to compare packages for opening an engineering consultancy 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 2026-10-06.
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 South Korean founder no longer requires a local partner. The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, and for that reason so many founders choose it as a base for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a South Korean founder.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a South Korean founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves without delay. Crucially, 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 South Korean founder. On the ground, our quotations for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a South Korean founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before any payment anything.
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 South Korean founder.
Frequently asked questions
Are Dubai mainland companies subject to corporate tax?
Absolutely. 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.
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Dubai mainland company?
For most commercial and industrial activities, no. Since 2021 foreign nationals can own 100% of a Dubai mainland LLC. A short list of strategic activities still requires Emirati participation, and GoldenKey checks your activity before you commit.
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 engineering consultancy allowed in Dubai?
Absolutely. South Koreans can own 100% of an engineering consultancy in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Which licence type covers engineering consultancy?
Just as important, engineering Consultancy is classified as a professional activity, and GoldenKey selects the exact activity code so your licence matches what you actually do.
