WhatsApp quoteChoosing Dubai mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate clients recognise without a second thought. A Dubai mainland licence, released 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. Just as important, vietnamese nationals are a young community in trading, IT outsourcing and hospitality, so the Dubai authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Vietnamese applications every day and process them without hesitation. the UAE is Vietnam's largest trading partner in the Middle East, with a CEPA concluded in 2024, which gives Vietnamese entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Dubai licence is released.
Why Dubai
Dubai mainland licences are granted by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which currently processes most standard files in around 4 working days. Among the strengths of a Dubai mainland licence are unrestricted UAE-wide trading and Government and corporate tenders, which is why local service businesses gravitate here.
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. Your portal shows the status of this step for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder in real time.
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.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
Day to day, you sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder.
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.
Documents required
Here is what you will need for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.
- A police clearance certificate from Vietnam if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- Educational certificates attested by the Vietnam authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- Engineer's attested degree
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- A passport issued by Vietnam with at least six months' validity
Pricing
On the ground, all prices for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing ahead of payment. As we tell every client, the figures below for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Vietnamese 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 2026-10-05.
Why the UAE
Day to day, english is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder for international business owners. There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
In practice, our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder happen the same day they are ready. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder for traders, consultants, tech business owners and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us.
Tell us about your plans for opening a contracting company in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder and GoldenKey will come back to you shortly with a clear price, a document checklist and a realistic timeline.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
With papers and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) typically issues the licence within 4 working days (Monday to Friday). External approvals for regulated activities add time.
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.
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 construction & contracting allowed in Dubai?
Yes. Vietnamese nationals can own 100% of a contracting company in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Is there a double taxation agreement between Vietnam and the UAE?
Absolutely. The UAE and Vietnam have a double taxation agreement, and a UAE tax residency certificate lets you claim treaty relief on qualifying income. GoldenKey can obtain the certificate once your company is established.
