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
Dubai Mainland Company Formation for Japanese nationals
around 10 hours from Tokyo · 5 hours ahead of 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
For most clients, since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have. In practice, choosing Dubai mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate customers recognise without a second thought. As a rule, japanese nationals are a community of several thousand, mainly in trading houses, automotive, energy and engineering, so the Dubai authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Japanese applications every day and process them without hesitation. Payments between Japan and the UAE are routine: the dirham is pegged to the dollar, Japanese yen (JPY) transfers settle without delay and UAE banks are familiar with Japanese business profiles.
In practice, businesses that benefit most from Dubai mainland licensing include retail, restaurants, contracting, real estate brokerage and consulting with government customers, because they serve customers on site across the emirate. 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. Day to day, many Japanese founders run Dubai companies alongside an existing business in Japan, using the UAE entity for international invoicing and regional sales.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
Importantly, the figures below for Dubai mainland company formation for Japanese nationals are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. All prices for Dubai mainland company formation for Japanese nationals 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 Dubai mainland company formation for Japanese nationals is short, and most customers already have everything on it.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- An attested degree for professional activities such as engineering or healthcare
- A tenancy contract for an office or shop registered with the emirate's system (Ejari in Dubai)
- A passport granted by Japan with at least six months' validity
- A bank statement from your Japan bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- Attested parent-company 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
Crucially, 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.
- 2
Trade name and initial approval
Your trade name is reserved and initial approval secured from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), together with any external approvals the activity requires. Your portal shows the status of this step for Dubai mainland company formation for Japanese nationals in real time.
- 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
Your Dubai mainland licence is issued, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for Dubai mainland company formation for Japanese nationals.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about Dubai. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsCan I convert my free zone company to a Dubai mainland company?
From day one, 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.
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.
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
With 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 a Japanese citizen own 100% of a company in Dubai?
Yes. Japanese nationals can own the full share capital of a Dubai company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Is there a double taxation agreement between Japan and the UAE?
Yes — The UAE and Japan have a double taxation agreement, and a UAE tax residency certificate lets you claim treaty relief on qualifying income. GoldenKey can obtain the certificate once your company is established.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Dubai?
Call or WhatsApp GoldenKey today and a consultant will walk you through Dubai mainland company formation for Japanese nationals step by step, with no obligation and no pressure.
Good to know
More about Dubai
Why the UAE
The UAE's reputation as a trading hub means international clients and suppliers already trust a UAE licence, which shortens sales cycles for Dubai mainland company formation for Japanese nationals. English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies Dubai mainland company formation for Japanese nationals for international entrepreneurs.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey's consultants have handled Dubai mainland company formation for Japanese nationals for traders, consultants, tech entrepreneurs and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. As we tell every client, you deal with one named adviser from the first call until your Dubai licence, visa and bank introduction are complete, and that consultant answers your WhatsApp messages personally. For most clients, we will tell you plainly if Dubai is not the right choice for your plan and point you to a better option, even when that option costs less.
