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. GoldenKey helps entrepreneurs compare Dubai mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are. 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.
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 business days. 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. 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
Day to day, 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 a Civil Company on Dubai mainland this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.
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
Just as important, you sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file. Nothing is submitted for a Civil Company on Dubai mainland until you have reviewed and approved it.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
Day to day, the Dubai mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start.
Documents required
Gather these supporting documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of a Civil Company on Dubai mainland.
- A tenancy contract for an office or shop registered with the emirate's system (Ejari in Dubai)
- An attested degree for professional activities such as engineering or healthcare
- Passport photographs on a white background
- Attested parent-company documents for corporate shareholders
- The existing visa copy and NOC if a shareholder is on another UAE visa
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
Pricing
In short, pricing for a Civil Company on Dubai mainland depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. The figures below for a Civil Company on Dubai mainland 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 2026-10-07.
About the Civil Company
Civil companies are owned by professionals practising the licensed activity and are popular for clinics, engineering firms and consultancies.
Why the UAE
From day one, there are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from a Civil Company on Dubai mainland can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely. In short, since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so a Civil Company on Dubai mainland no longer requires a local partner.
Why GoldenKey
Our quotations for a Civil Company on Dubai mainland list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before a single dirham changes hands anything. GoldenKey's consultants have handled a Civil Company on Dubai mainland for traders, consultants, tech company owners and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. We speak the languages our clients speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for a Civil Company on Dubai mainland.
Message GoldenKey now and we will prepare a personalised quotation for a Civil Company on Dubai mainland, valid for 30 days and confirmed in writing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
To be clear, with documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as a rule issues the licence within 4 business days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
What is the difference between Dubai mainland and a free zone?
Crucially, 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.
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.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Dubai mainland company?
As we tell every client, 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.
