WhatsApp quoteA Dubai mainland licence, issued 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. In our experience, mainland company formation in Dubai is the right choice when your customers are inside the UAE, when you need a shop, clinic or contracting classification, or when visa quota matters. Day to day, thai food, hospitality and jewellery brands have a strong presence in the UAE market, which gives Thai entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Dubai licence is issued. GoldenKey has Thai clients from Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, and our consultants understand the documents issued in Thailand and how to attest them for the UAE.
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. Instant Licence lets some activities start within minutes with a one-year office exemption.
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
From day one, 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. For opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Thai founder, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
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.
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. For opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Thai founder this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
Your Dubai mainland licence is issued, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin.
Documents required
Day to day, the document list for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Thai founder is short, and most clients already have everything on it.
- A police clearance certificate from Thailand if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- Educational certificates attested by the Thailand authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- A passport issued by Thailand with at least six months' validity
- Unit ownership or landlord NOC for holiday homes
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
Pricing
Use the table below to compare packages for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Thai founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. The figures below for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Thai founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the registrar 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
The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, and that is why so many business owners choose it as a base for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Thai founder. There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Thai founder can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
Importantly, 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 hospitality business in the UAE as a Thai founder. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Thai founder for traders, consultants, tech company owners and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves promptly. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Thai founder happen the same day they are ready.
Message GoldenKey now and we will prepare a personalised quotation for opening a hospitality business in the UAE as a Thai founder, valid for 30 days and confirmed in writing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
Day to day, with papers and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) typically issues the licence within 4 business days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
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.
Do Thai nationals need a UAE visa before applying for Dubai?
No, it does not. You can apply for the licence from Thailand with scanned paperwork, and the investor residence visa is processed afterwards.
Is tourism & hospitality allowed in Dubai?
Absolutely. Thai nationals can own 100% of a hospitality business in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
