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. A 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. Put simply, payments between Vietnam and the UAE are routine: the dirham is pegged to the dollar, Vietnamese dong (VND) transfers settle promptly and UAE banks are familiar with Vietnamese business profiles. As a rule, 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.
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. Government and semi-government tenders in Dubai require a mainland licence and Chamber of Commerce membership, both of which GoldenKey arranges.
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
As a rule, 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. Your portal shows the status of this step for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder in real time.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
In practice, the memorandum of association is signed (online or before the notary), your tenancy is registered and the complete file is submitted to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
Importantly, with the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas. Nothing is submitted for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder until you have reviewed and approved it.
Documents required
Gather these paperwork and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder.
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
Pricing
Put simply, the figures below for opening an engineering consultancy 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. Use the table below to compare packages for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a Vietnamese 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
English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder for international founders. 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 Vietnamese founder no longer requires a local partner.
Why GoldenKey
Day to day, we speak the languages our customers 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 Vietnamese founder. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening an engineering consultancy 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. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder happen the same day they are ready.
On the ground, call or WhatsApp GoldenKey today and an adviser will walk you through opening an engineering consultancy in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder step by step, with no obligation and no pressure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Dubai mainland and a free zone?
Mainland companies can trade directly with any UAE customer and take government contracts; free zone companies have lower costs and customs benefits but trade with the mainland through distributors. GoldenKey compares both for your specific activity.
How much office space do I need for a Dubai mainland licence?
In practice, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) 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.
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.
Is engineering consultancy allowed in Dubai?
Yes. Vietnamese nationals can own 100% of an engineering consultancy in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
Do Vietnamese nationals need a UAE visa before applying for Dubai?
No. You can apply for the licence from Vietnam with scanned documents, and the investor UAE residence visa is processed afterwards.
