1 Visa Package
1 residence visa · 1-year licence
AED 16,500
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 1 visa eligibility
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
MAINLAND · DUBAI
Dubai Mainland Company Formation
The UAE's commercial capital — trade anywhere in the UAE with a Dubai DET licence
5–7 daysSetup time100%OwnershipUp to 5 visasVisas
- 5–7 daysSetup time
- MainlandLicence type
- Flexi | PhysicalOffice / facility
- Up to 5 visasVisa eligibility
- StandardApprovals needed
- From AED 13,200Renewal cost
About Dubai
Why founders choose Dubai
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. Dubai is the UAE's commercial capital — trade anywhere in the UAE with a Dubai DET licence, and GoldenKey registers mainland companies there with the economic department week in, week out. Since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have.
Businesses that benefit most from Dubai mainland licensing include retail, restaurants, contracting, real estate brokerage and consulting with government clients, because they serve customers on site across the emirate. As a rule, 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. To be clear, among the strengths of a Dubai mainland licence are unrestricted UAE-wide trading and Government and corporate tenders, and that is why local service businesses gravitate here. A Dubai mainland company can apply for an unlimited visa quota in proportion to its office space, which free zone packages cannot match.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
The figures below for Dubai Mainland Company Formation are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. On the ground, use the table below to compare packages for Dubai Mainland Company Formation; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation.
2 Visa Package
2 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 22,000
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 2 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
3 Visa Package
3 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 27,500
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 3 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
5 Visa Package
5 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 37,400
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 5 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
Additional visaAED 3,850
Annual renewalAED 13,200
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-24.
Business activities
Explore business activities in Dubai
Dubai licenses trading, service, professional and industrial activities. Search every activity we license across the UAE and see where it is available and what it costs.
Required documents
Documents required
For Dubai Mainland Company Formation the authority asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- A tenancy contract for an office or shop registered with the emirate's system (Ejari in Dubai)
- External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
- Attested parent-company documents for corporate shareholders
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- The existing visa copy and NOC if a shareholder is on another UAE visaif applicable
For companies
- Certificate of incorporation (attested)
- Memorandum & articles of association
- Board resolution approving the UAE company
- Passport copies of shareholders & directors
- Company profile / business plan
Our process
Step by step
- 1
Activity and legal form
We select the correct activity codes from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) list and the legal form, usually a LLC or a sole establishment.
- 2
Trade 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. If the authority raises a query on Dubai Mainland Company Formation at this stage, we handle it the same day.
- 3
Office, MOA and submission
From day one, after the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full submission with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
- 4
Licence, 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. For Dubai Mainland Company Formation this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about Dubai. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsHow 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 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?
Absolutely. A mainland licence is valid across the UAE, and you can open branches in other emirates by registering with their economic departments.
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Dubai mainland company?
Importantly, 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.
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.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Dubai?
For most clients, prefer to visit? Our Ajman office welcomes walk-ins during working hours, and we can also meet you in Dubai or Sharjah by appointment to discuss Dubai Mainland Company Formation.
Good to know
More about Dubai
Why the UAE
In short, english is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies Dubai Mainland Company Formation for international founders. Crucially, the UAE's reputation as a trading hub means international clients and suppliers already trust a UAE licence, which shortens sales cycles for Dubai Mainland Company Formation.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey builds its own CRM and client portal, so you can see the status of your Dubai application, download your documents and pay invoices from your phone. We speak the languages our customers speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for Dubai Mainland Company Formation. Most of our Dubai clients come to us through referrals from other founders, which is why we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing.
Timeline
Here is a realistic timeline for Dubai Mainland Company Formation based on the files GoldenKey handles every week.
- Day 0Quotation approved, documents collected and checked by GoldenKey.
- Day 1–2Trade name reserved and initial approval requested for Dubai Mainland Company Formation.
- Day 2–6As a rule, authority review and issue of the licence; we chase any query the same day.
- Week 2–3Establishment card, visa entry permit, medical test and Emirates ID; bank introduction in parallel.
Dubai mainland guides by nationality
Indian
Pakistani
British
Russian
Chinese
Nigerian
Saudi
Egyptian
Kenyan
German
Singaporean
Omani
French
Italian
Spanish
Portuguese
Dutch
Belgian
Swiss
Austrian
Swedish
Norwegian
Danish
Finnish
Icelandic
Irish
Polish
Czech
Slovak
Hungarian
Romanian
Bulgarian
Greek
Croatian
Serbian
Slovenian
Ukrainian
Estonian
Latvian
Lithuanian
American
Canadian
Australian
New Zealander
Japanese
South Korean
Turkish
Malaysian
Indonesian
Thai
Vietnamese
Filipino
Bangladeshi
South African
Emirati
QatariPopular activities on Dubai mainland
Real Estate Brokerage
Retail Shop
Construction & Contracting
Gold & Jewellery Trading
Perfume & Cosmetics TradingBusiness districts in Dubai
Business BayDubai's central business district on the canal, minutes from…Deirathe historic trading heart of Dubai with gold, spice and ele…Bur Dubaiold Dubai's commercial district beside the creek, home to th…Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT)the DMCC free zone district, popular with traders and profes…Dubai Marinaa waterfront lifestyle district favoured by international fo…Downtown Dubaithe Burj Khalifa district with premium offices and global br…Sheikh Zayed RoadDubai's main business artery lined with corporate towers…Al QuozDubai's industrial and creative district with warehouses and…Al Barshaa central residential and commercial area near Mall of the E…Dubai Silicon Oasisthe technology park that hosts IFZA and hundreds of tech fir…International Cityhome to Dragon Mart and a hub for Chinese and Asian traders…Jebel Alithe port and free zone district that powers Dubai's trade…Dubai Souththe Expo City and Al Maktoum Airport district built for logi…Dubai Investment Parka mixed industrial and residential zone for manufacturers an…Karamaa dense commercial district popular with South Asian SMEs…
