WhatsApp quoteA Dubai mainland licence, granted by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), lets your company trade anywhere in the UAE, bid for government work and open as many branches as you need. For most clients, mainland company formation in Dubai is the right choice when your customers are inside the UAE, when you need a shop, clinic or contracting classification, or when visa quota matters. Crucially, choosing Dubai mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate clients recognise without a second thought.
Why Dubai
Put simply, businesses that benefit most from Dubai mainland licensing include retail, restaurants, contracting, real estate brokerage and consulting with government clients, because they serve customers on site across the emirate. As a rule, among the strengths of a Dubai mainland licence are unrestricted UAE-wide trading and Government and corporate tenders, so local service businesses gravitate here. 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.
Documents required
For renewing a mainland licence in Dubai the authority asks for the following papers, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- The existing visa copy and NOC if a shareholder is on another UAE visa
- A tenancy contract for an office or shop registered with the emirate's system (Ejari in Dubai)
- Passport photographs on a white background
- External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
- An attested degree for professional activities such as engineering or healthcare
- Attested parent-company documents for corporate shareholders
Pricing
Use the table below to compare packages for renewing a mainland licence in Dubai; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. All prices for renewing a mainland licence in Dubai are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before a single dirham changes hands.
- 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.
Changing your package at renewal
Renewal is the natural moment to move to a larger or smaller Dubai package, add activities or change the office option. We review your plans before each renewal so the package still fits.
What a renewal includes
A standard Dubai renewal covers the licence fee, the lease or flexi-desk renewal and the establishment card. Visa renewals are separate and fall due on each visa's own expiry date, which may not coincide with the licence.
Why the UAE
Put simply, the dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for renewing a mainland licence in Dubai and makes international pricing simple. There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from renewing a mainland licence in Dubai can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey is a licensed business setup consultancy, not a reseller, which means your Dubai application is prepared, checked and submitted by our own team. 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. You deal with one named case manager from the first call until your Dubai licence, visa and bank introduction are complete, and that consultant answers your WhatsApp messages personally.
Prefer to visit? Our Ajman office welcomes walk-ins during working hours, and we can also meet you in Dubai or Sharjah by appointment to discuss renewing a mainland licence in Dubai.
Frequently asked questions
How much office space do I need for a Dubai mainland licence?
In short, 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.
Are Dubai mainland companies subject to corporate tax?
Absolutely. 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?
As we tell every client, with papers and a tenancy contract ready, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) typically issues the licence within 4 working days. 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.
What is the difference between Dubai mainland and a free zone?
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.
