WhatsApp quoteAs we tell every client, since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Dubai mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection entrepreneurs used to have. GoldenKey helps founders compare Dubai mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are. Choosing Dubai mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate clients recognise without a second thought.
Why Dubai
Instant Licence lets some activities start within minutes with a one-year office exemption. From day one, government and semi-government tenders in Dubai require a mainland licence and Chamber of Commerce membership, both of which GoldenKey arranges. A Dubai mainland company can apply for an unlimited visa quota in proportion to its office space, which free zone packages cannot match.
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
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 a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Dubai mainland is audit-ready.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
GoldenKey files the name reservation and initial-approval request with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) and obtains sector approvals where needed.
Step 3Office, 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 a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Dubai mainland, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
As a rule, the Dubai mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start.
Documents required
Here is what you will need for a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Dubai mainland; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.
- Passport photographs on a white background
- Attested parent-company documents for corporate shareholders
- A tenancy contract for an office or shop registered with the emirate's system (Ejari in Dubai)
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
- External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
- The existing visa copy and NOC if a shareholder is on another UAE visa
Pricing
From day one, all prices for a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Dubai mainland are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay. Use the table below to compare packages for a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Dubai mainland; 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.
About the Limited Liability Company (LLC)
A LLC can have one to fifty shareholders, trade anywhere in the UAE, bid for government work and sponsor visas in proportion to its office space.
Why the UAE
Banking, logistics, telecoms and digital government services in the UAE are among the most advanced in the region, which keeps the running costs of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Dubai mainland predictable. Since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Dubai mainland no longer requires a local partner.
Why GoldenKey
In our experience, our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Dubai mainland happen the same day they are ready. We speak the languages our clients speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Dubai mainland. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Dubai mainland, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us.
Tell us about your plans for a Limited Liability Company (LLC) on Dubai mainland and GoldenKey will come back to you shortly with a clear price, a document checklist and a realistic timeline.
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.
How much office space do I need for a Dubai mainland licence?
Crucially, 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.
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?
With documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) typically issues the licence within 4 business 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.
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.
