WhatsApp quoteIn our experience, since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Fujairah mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have. Put simply, fujairah is the UAE's east-coast gateway — shipping, bunkering and Indian Ocean trade, and GoldenKey registers mainland companies there with the economic department week in, week out. Crucially, for Swiss company owners, the UAE is around 6.5 hours from Bern, the UAE is 2 to 3 hours ahead of Switzerland, and English, German and French speakers all operate comfortably in the UAE. Crucially, maritime & Ship Services in Fujairah means ship chandling, bunkering support, crew services, marine supplies and vessel management, and it is licensed as a commercial activity.
Why Fujairah
Among the strengths of a Fujairah mainland licence are direct Indian Ocean port access and World-class bunkering hub, and for that reason local service businesses gravitate here. Put simply, businesses that benefit most from Fujairah mainland licensing include maritime services, oil storage, trading, tourism and fishing, because they serve customers on site across the emirate.
How Fujairah works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
On the ground, we pick the precise activity codes from the Fujairah Municipality and Department of Industry and Economy list and settle on the legal form — normally a LLC, or a sole establishment for individual professionals.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
Your trade name is reserved and initial approval secured from the Fujairah Municipality and Department of Industry and Economy, together with any external approvals the activity requires. If the authority raises a query on opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a Swiss founder at this stage, we handle it the same day.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
As we tell every client, the memorandum of association is signed (online or before the notary), your tenancy is registered and the complete file is submitted to the Fujairah Municipality and Department of Industry and Economy.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
The Fujairah mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start. For opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a Swiss founder, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
Documents required
For most clients, for opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a Swiss founder the authority asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- A passport granted by Switzerland with at least six months' validity
- 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 bank statement from your Switzerland bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- A police clearance certificate from Switzerland if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
Pricing
The figures below for opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a Swiss founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. In our experience, all prices for opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a Swiss founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay.
- 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 2,700 |
|---|---|
| Annual renewal | AED 7,800 |
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
There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a Swiss founder can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely. In our experience, since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a Swiss founder no longer requires a local partner.
Why GoldenKey
Day to day, if a document is missing or an approval is delayed on your Fujairah file, we tell you immediately and explain the fix, rather than letting the file sit. Importantly, because GoldenKey works with the licensing authority, the immigration department and the banks every single week, we know exactly which supporting documents each of them will ask for on a Fujairah file. Put simply, 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 maritime services company in the UAE as a Swiss founder.
In our experience, book a call with GoldenKey and we will confirm your eligibility, your costs and your next steps for opening a maritime services company in the UAE as a Swiss founder in a single conversation.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Fujairah mainland company formation take?
For most clients, with papers and a tenancy contract ready, the Fujairah Municipality and Department of Industry and Economy as a rule issues the licence within 4 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
How much office space do I need for a Fujairah mainland licence?
The Fujairah Municipality and Department of Industry and Economy 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.
Can a Fujairah 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 maritime & ship services allowed in Fujairah?
Yes — Swiss nationals can own 100% of a maritime services company in the UAE. {brand} recommends Fujairah for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Which licence type covers maritime & ship services?
In short, maritime & Ship Services is classified as a commercial activity, and GoldenKey selects the exact activity code so your licence matches what you actually do.
