WhatsApp quoteOn 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.
Why Dubai
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.
How Dubai works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity 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.
Step 2Trade 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.
Step 3Office, 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).
Step 4Licence, 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.
Documents required
The document list for Dubai mainland company formation for Swiss nationals is short, and most customers already have everything on it.
- 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)
- The existing visa copy and NOC if a shareholder is on another UAE visa
- External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
Pricing
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
How 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.
