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 Swiss nationals
around 6.5 hours from Bern · the UAE is 2 to 3 hours ahead of Switzerland
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
On the ground, 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. GoldenKey helps founders compare Dubai mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are. Swiss nationals are a discreet but significant presence in wealth management, commodities and precision industries, so the Dubai authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Swiss applications every day and process them without hesitation. The most common businesses Swiss nationals open through GoldenKey are in wealth management, commodities, watches and luxury and pharmaceuticals, although Dubai supports almost any activity.
Dubai mainland licences are released by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), which currently processes most standard files in around 4 working days (Monday to Friday). Crucially, 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. GoldenKey has prepared Dubai files for Swiss customers in wealth management, commodities, watches and luxury and pharmaceuticals, which means we know which Switzerland documents need attestation and which can be submitted as plain copies.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
Pricing for Dubai mainland company formation for Swiss nationals depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. In our experience, all prices for Dubai mainland company formation for Swiss 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 Swiss 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
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
- A bank statement from your Switzerland bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- A tenancy contract for an office or shop registered with the emirate's system (Ejari in Dubai)
- 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 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. Your portal shows the status of this step for Dubai mainland company formation for Swiss nationals in real time.
- 3
Office, MOA and submission
As we tell every client, 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. Your portal shows the status of this step for Dubai mainland company formation for Swiss nationals in real time.
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?
On the ground, with paperwork 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.
How much office space do I need for a Dubai mainland licence?
In our experience, 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.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Dubai mainland company?
Put simply, 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.
Do Swiss nationals need a UAE visa before applying for Dubai?
Not in that case. You can apply for the licence from Switzerland with scanned documents, and the investor residence visa is processed afterwards.
How long does the process take for Swiss applicants?
For most clients, processing for Swiss nationals follows the same timeline as other nationalities. Documents from Switzerland that need attestation are the main variable, and GoldenKey guides you through that step.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Dubai?
Message GoldenKey now and we will prepare a personalised quotation for Dubai mainland company formation for Swiss nationals, valid for 30 days and confirmed in writing.
Good to know
More about Dubai
Why the UAE
In short, there are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from Dubai mainland company formation for Swiss nationals can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely. 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 Swiss nationals.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with Dubai mainland company formation for Swiss nationals, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. For most clients, because GoldenKey works with the licensing authority, the immigration department and the banks every single week, we know exactly which documents each of them will ask for on a Dubai file. Crucially, 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 Swiss nationals happen the same day they are ready.
