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
IT & Software on Dubai Mainland
Software development, SaaS, app development, IT consulting and managed services
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
From day one, choosing Dubai mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate customers recognise without a second thought. A mainland company in Dubai can hold a mainland office, hire staff under MOHRE contracts and register with the Chamber of Commerce for tenders. Typical examples of this activity include SaaS platform, mobile app studio, IT outsourcing and cybersecurity consulting, which can usually sit together on one Dubai licence. Put simply, iT & Software in Dubai means software development, SaaS, app development, IT consulting and managed services, and it is licensed as a professional activity.
Dubai mainland licences are issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which currently processes most standard files in around 4 working days. 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 it & software in Dubai for customers 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
Pricing for it & software 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 it & software on Dubai mainland are updated by GoldenKey whenever the issuing authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one.
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
In practice, gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of it & software on Dubai mainland.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- An attested degree for professional activities such as engineering or healthcare
- External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
- A tenancy contract for an office or shop registered with the emirate's system (Ejari in Dubai)
- Attested parent-company documents for corporate shareholders
- 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
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. This is also the point at which we answer any question specific to it & software on Dubai mainland.
- 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).
- 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. Nothing is submitted for it & software on Dubai mainland until you have reviewed and approved it.
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?
Importantly, with supporting documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as a rule issues the licence within 4 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
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.
Can I combine it & software with other activities?
Day to day, in most cases yes. Related activities can share one licence, while unrelated ones may need a general trading licence or a second licence.
Is it & software allowed in Dubai?
Yes, it can. IT & Software is an available activity in {ent}, and GoldenKey lists the exact sub-activities on your licence. None beyond the licence; data-hosting activities may need TDRA notification.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Dubai?
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 it & software on Dubai mainland.
Good to know
More about Dubai
Why the UAE
From day one, the dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for it & software on Dubai mainland and makes international pricing simple. In practice, english is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies it & software on Dubai mainland for international founders.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with it & software on Dubai mainland, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. To be clear, if a document is missing or an approval is delayed on your Dubai file, we tell you immediately and explain the fix, rather than letting the application sit. GoldenKey's consultants have handled it & software on Dubai mainland for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly.
