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, released 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. As we tell every client, since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have.
Why Dubai
Instant Licence lets some activities start within minutes with a one-year office exemption. In practice, among the strengths of a Dubai mainland licence are unrestricted UAE-wide trading and Government and corporate tenders, which is why local service businesses gravitate here. 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.
Documents required
Day to day, for costs of a mainland licence in Dubai the authority asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
- Attested parent-company documents for corporate shareholders
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
- 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 copies of all shareholders and the manager
Pricing
The figures below for costs of a mainland licence in Dubai are updated by GoldenKey whenever the licensing authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. Use the table below to compare packages for costs of a mainland licence in Dubai; 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.
First year versus renewal
Put simply, your first-year cost in Dubai includes one-off registration, establishment card and immigration file charges. From year two you pay the renewal fee and visa renewals only, and that is why the second year is noticeably lower than the first. GoldenKey shows both figures side by side so there are no surprises twelve months later.
Paying in instalments
Many Dubai packages can be paid in two or three instalments aligned to the licensing authority's own payment stages: initial approval, licence issue and visa processing. Ask GoldenKey about the schedule for your package.
Why the UAE
For most clients, banking, logistics, telecoms and digital government services in the UAE are among the most advanced in the region, which keeps the running costs of costs of a mainland licence in Dubai predictable. Put simply, since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so costs of a mainland licence in Dubai no longer requires a local partner.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey's consultants have handled costs of a mainland licence in Dubai for traders, consultants, tech business owners and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. Day to day, we speak the languages our clients speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for costs of a mainland licence in Dubai. From day one, because GoldenKey works with the licensing authority, the immigration department and the banks every single week, we know exactly which documents each of them will ask for on a Dubai file.
Importantly, message GoldenKey now and we will prepare a personalised quotation for costs of a mainland licence in Dubai, valid for 30 days and confirmed in writing.
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.
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 long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
Just as important, with documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) typically issues the licence within 4 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
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.
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.
