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
Construction & Contracting on Dubai Mainland
Building, civil works, MEP and specialist contracting for clients across the UAE
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 Dubai
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. GoldenKey helps founders compare Dubai mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are. GoldenKey has licensed contracting company businesses for clients in Dubai and knows which sub-activities to list so you are not asked to amend the licence later. Construction & Contracting in Dubai means building, civil works, MEP and specialist contracting for clients across the UAE, and it is licensed as a commercial activity.
Dubai hosts the region's largest airport, port and exhibition centre. 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. GoldenKey has licensed construction & contracting in Dubai for clients ranging from solo founders to groups opening a regional branch, so we know which sub-activities to list.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
All prices for construction & contracting on Dubai mainland are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay. Pricing for construction & contracting on Dubai mainland depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated.
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 2026-10-27.
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
Here is what you will need for construction & contracting on Dubai mainland; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
- An attested degree for professional activities such as engineering or healthcare
- Passport photographs on a white background
- A tenancy contract for an office or shop registered with the emirate's system (Ejari in Dubai)
- Engineer's attested degree
- Attested parent-company supporting documents for corporate shareholders
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
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
- 1
Activity and legal form
GoldenKey maps your business to the right Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) activity codes and recommends the legal form that fits ownership and liability needs.
- 2
Trade 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. We keep a written record of this step so your file for construction & contracting on Dubai mainland is audit-ready.
- 3
Office, MOA and submission
You sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file.
- 4
Licence, Chamber and immigration
Just as important, with the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas. We keep a written record of this step so your file for construction & contracting on Dubai mainland is audit-ready.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about Dubai. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsWhat is the difference between Dubai mainland and a free zone?
Just as important, 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?
Day to day, 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.
What approvals does construction & contracting need?
In short, municipality contractor classification; civil defence for MEP work. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
Is construction & contracting allowed in Dubai?
Absolutely. Construction & Contracting is an available activity in {ent}, and GoldenKey lists the exact sub-activities on your licence. Municipality contractor classification; civil defence for MEP work.
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 construction & contracting on Dubai mainland.
Good to know
More about Dubai
Why the UAE
Just as important, the dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for construction & contracting on Dubai mainland and makes international pricing simple. Crucially, the UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many founders choose it as a base for construction & contracting on Dubai mainland.
Why GoldenKey
In short, we speak the languages our clients speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for construction & contracting on Dubai mainland. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries with construction & contracting on Dubai mainland, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. As we tell every client, our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for construction & contracting on Dubai mainland happen the same day they are ready.
