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
Holding Company on Dubai Mainland
Owning shares in subsidiaries, property and investments under one parent entity
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
A mainland company in Dubai can hold a mainland office, hire staff under MOHRE contracts and register with the Chamber of Commerce for tenders. In practice, since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have. For most clients, holding structures are commonly set up in free zones or as offshore companies to consolidate ownership, simplify succession and benefit from the UAE's 0% corporate tax on qualifying dividends and capital gains. As a rule, holding Company in Dubai means owning shares in subsidiaries, property and investments under one parent entity, and it is licensed as a commercial activity.
For most clients, instant Licence lets some activities start within minutes with a one-year office exemption. 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 holding company 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
Just as important, use the table below to compare packages for holding company on Dubai mainland; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. All prices for holding company on Dubai mainland are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay.
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
The document list for holding company on Dubai mainland is short, and most clients already have everything on it.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- Attested parent-company documents for corporate shareholders
- External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
- Passport photographs on a white background
- An attested degree for professional activities such as engineering or healthcare
- 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
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
- 1
Activity and legal form
Just as important, 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. We keep a written record of this step so your file for holding company on Dubai mainland is audit-ready.
- 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.
- 3
Office, MOA and submission
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). For holding company on Dubai mainland this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.
- 4
Licence, Chamber and immigration
Your Dubai mainland licence is issued, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about Dubai. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsHow long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
In short, with papers and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) typically issues the licence within 4 working days (Monday to Friday). External approvals for regulated activities add time.
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.
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.
Is holding company allowed in Dubai?
Holding Company is not a natural fit for {ent} because holding structures are commonly set up in free zones or as offshore companies to consolidate ownership, simplify succession and benefit from the uae's 0% corporate tax on qualifying dividends and capital gains. GoldenKey will recommend the jurisdiction where it is licensed without restrictions and explain why.
Can I combine holding company with other activities?
In most cases yes. Related activities can share one licence, while unrelated ones may need a general trading licence or a second licence.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Dubai?
As a rule, ready to start? Send us a WhatsApp message with your nationality, the activity you have in mind and the number of visas you need, and we will reply shortly with a written quotation for holding company on Dubai mainland.
Good to know
More about Dubai
Why the UAE
In practice, the dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for holding company on Dubai mainland and makes international pricing simple. In short, banking, logistics, telecoms and digital government services in the UAE are among the most advanced in the region, which keeps the running costs of holding company on Dubai mainland predictable.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with holding company on Dubai mainland, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. We speak the languages our customers speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for holding company on Dubai mainland. In practice, most of our Dubai customers come to us through referrals from other company owners, which is why we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing.
