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MAINLAND · DUBAI

Dubai Mainland Company Formation for New Zealanders

around 17 hours from Wellington · New Zealand is 8 to 9 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, choosing Dubai mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate clients recognise without a second thought. Dubai is the UAE's commercial capital — trade anywhere in the UAE with a Dubai DET licence, and GoldenKey registers mainland companies there with the economic department week in, week out. Day to day, payments between New Zealand and the UAE are routine: the dirham is pegged to the dollar, New Zealand dollar (NZD) transfers settle quickly and UAE banks are familiar with New Zealander business profiles. The most common businesses New Zealanders open through GoldenKey are in dairy exports, education, aviation and hospitality, although Dubai supports almost any activity.

As we tell every client, 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. Government and semi-government tenders in Dubai require a mainland licence and Chamber of Commerce membership, both of which GoldenKey arranges. To be clear, for New Zealanders, the practical advantages of Dubai are the ease of travel between New Zealand and the UAE, English is the working language, and a banking system that processes New Zealand dollar (NZD) transfers daily.

Packages & cost

Pricing — choose the right package for your business

On the ground, use the table below to compare packages for Dubai mainland company formation for New Zealanders; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. On the ground, the figures below for Dubai mainland company formation for New Zealanders are updated by GoldenKey whenever the registrar changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one.

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
Get started

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
Get started

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
Get started
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

For Dubai mainland company formation for New Zealanders the licensing authority asks for the following papers, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.

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
  • Attested parent-company documents for corporate shareholders
  • A passport issued by New Zealand with at least six months' validity
  • External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
  • Passport photographs on a white background
  • A police clearance certificate from New Zealand if the activity or the Golden Visa category requires itif 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. 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. 2

    Trade name and initial approval

    In short, 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. For Dubai mainland company formation for New Zealanders, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.

  3. 3

    Office, MOA and submission

    You sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file.

  4. 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. If the authority raises a query on Dubai mainland company formation for New Zealanders at this stage, we handle it the same day.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers about Dubai. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.

View all FAQs
How long does Dubai mainland company formation take?

With supporting documents 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 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.

What is the difference between Dubai mainland and a free zone?

To be clear, 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.

Can a New Zealander citizen own 100% of a company in Dubai?

Yes. New Zealanders 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 New Zealand and the UAE?

Yes, it can. The UAE and New Zealand 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?

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 Dubai mainland company formation for New Zealanders.

By submitting this form, you agree to be contacted by our team regarding your enquiry. Prefer chat? WhatsApp us.

Good to know

More about Dubai

Why the UAE

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 New Zealanders for international entrepreneurs. Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes Dubai mainland company formation for New Zealanders a route to relocation as well as a business decision.

Why GoldenKey

Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for Dubai mainland company formation for New Zealanders happen the same day they are ready. GoldenKey's consultants have handled Dubai mainland company formation for New Zealanders for traders, consultants, tech business owners and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves fast. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped company owners from more than 60 countries with Dubai mainland company formation for New Zealanders, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us.

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