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. GoldenKey helps founders compare Dubai mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are. GoldenKey has Vietnamese customers from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, and our consultants understand the documents granted in Vietnam and how to attest them for the UAE. 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
Government and semi-government tenders in Dubai require a mainland licence and Chamber of Commerce membership, both of which GoldenKey arranges. Popular districts for a Dubai mainland office include Business Bay, Deira, Bur Dubai, Jumeirah Lakes Towers and Al Quoz, each with different rent levels and customer footfall.
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
Crucially, 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 retail business in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
GoldenKey reserves your trade name and obtains initial approval from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), including any external approvals your activity needs.
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). Your portal shows the status of this step for opening a retail business in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder in real time.
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.
Documents required
Put simply, for opening a retail business in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder the authority asks for the following supporting documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- A bank statement from your Vietnam bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- A police clearance certificate from Vietnam if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires it
- Educational certificates attested by the Vietnam authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
Pricing
From day one, use the table below to compare packages for opening a retail business in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. Pricing for opening a retail business in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated.
- 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
Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes opening a retail business in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder a route to relocation as well as a business decision. The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for opening a retail business in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder and makes international pricing simple.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with opening a retail business in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. As we tell every client, our quotations for opening a retail business in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before any payment anything. GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening a retail business in the UAE as a Vietnamese founder for traders, consultants, tech entrepreneurs and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves without delay.
As we tell every client, tell us about your plans for opening a retail business 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
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.
Are Dubai mainland companies subject to corporate tax?
Yes — 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.
How much office space do I need for a Dubai mainland licence?
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.
Can a Vietnamese citizen own 100% of a company in Dubai?
It can. Vietnamese nationals can own the full share capital of a Dubai company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Is retail shop allowed in Dubai?
Yes. Vietnamese nationals can own 100% of a retail business in the UAE. {brand} recommends Dubai for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
