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Mainland Sector

Business Setup in Dubai Mainland

A Dubai mainland company is licensed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (Dubai DET) and can trade freely throughout the UAE and internationally. It is the right choice for businesses that want direct access to the local market, the ability to bid for government contracts, and flexible visa allocation.

Verbatim Commitment: As a full-service corporate service provider, we handle your Dubai mainland setup end to end — activity selection, trade name reservation, initial approval, drafting and notarising the Memorandum of Association, license issuance, Ejari, visas and corporate bank account introduction.
[ AUTHORITY PROFILE ]
Dubai DET Framework

The foundational licensing matrix governed by the Department of Economy and Tourism to execute comprehensive commercial integration across onshore ecosystems.

[01.0 / REGULATORY AUTHORITY]

About Dubai DET

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, formerly the Department of Economic Development (DED), is the government authority responsible for regulating and licensing economic activity in the emirate of Dubai. Through its Business Registration and Licensing function, Dubai DET issues mainland trade licenses, approves business activities and trade names, and oversees commercial compliance. A license issued by Dubai DET is the foundation of every mainland company in Dubai.

Why Choose a Dubai Mainland Company

[01.1]
  • Unrestricted UAE trade — sell directly to customers anywhere in the UAE, with no distributor required.
  • 100% foreign ownership — available for most commercial and professional activities.
  • Government contracts — eligibility to bid for public-sector and government tenders.
  • Flexible visa quota — residence visa allocation linked to your office space rather than a fixed package.
  • Prime location and prestige — a Dubai mainland address and access to the emirate’s wider economy and infrastructure.
  • Broad activity list — thousands of approved activities across trading, services, contracting and industry.

Trade License Types under Dubai DET

[01.2]

Dubai DET issues several categories of mainland trade license. Your business activity determines the correct one.

Commercial license — for trading, buying, selling, import, export and distribution of goods.
Professional license — for service providers, consultants and specialists relying on professional expertise.
Industrial license — for manufacturing, processing and assembly activities.
Tourism license — for travel agencies, tour operators and tourism-related businesses.
[01.3 / CORPORATE ARCHITECTURE]

Legal Structures and Ownership

Dubai mainland companies can be formed under several legal forms depending on the number and type of owners and the chosen activity.

Limited Liability Company (LLC) the most common structure, suitable for most commercial and industrial activities.
Sole Establishment owned by a single individual carrying out a professional or commercial activity.
Civil Company for professional partners such as consultants, engineers and other specialists.
Branch Company an extension of an existing parent company carrying out the same activities.

Most activities now permit 100% foreign ownership; a limited list of strategic-impact activities may still require a local partner or Emirati agent. Shareholding and governance are set out in the company’s Memorandum of Association.

[01.4 / LEASEHOLD PLACEMENT]
Office and Ejari Requirements

A Dubai mainland license requires physical business premises. The tenancy contract must be registered through Ejari, Dubai’s official tenancy registration system. The size of your office influences how many residence visas your company can sponsor, so premises are chosen with your visa needs in mind. We assist with locating suitable space and completing Ejari registration.

[01.5 / RESIDENCY ALLOCATIONS]
Visa Allocation

A Dubai mainland company can sponsor residence visas for its owners, employees and their families.

Investor/Partner Visa
Employment Quotas
Family Sponsorship
Golden Visa Access
[01.6 / SYSTEM SEQUENCE]

Dubai Mainland Setup Process

We manage each stage with Dubai DET and any external approval bodies on your behalf.

01. Consultation & Selection
we confirm your activities and the right license type.
02. Name Reservation
we secure your company name with Dubai DET.
03. Initial Approval
we obtain the authority’s preliminary consent to proceed.
04. External Approvals
we obtain any activity-specific approvals from relevant government bodies.
05. MOA Documenting
we draft and notarise your MOA.
06. Office & Ejari
we arrange premises and register the tenancy.
07. License Issuance
Dubai DET issues your mainland trade license.
08. Identity & Visas
we process the establishment card, investor and staff visas, Emirates ID and medical.
09. FINANCIAL ADVISORY INTRODUCTION — we introduce you to our banking partners and assist with the application.
[01.7 / MANDATORY DOSSIER]

Documents Required for Dubai Mainland Setup

The documents below cover the typical requirements for each shareholder type. We issue a tailored checklist after your consultation.

Individual Shareholder Corporate Shareholder Branch Company
  • Passport copy of each shareholder and director.
  • UAE visa and Emirates ID copy for residents, or the entry-stamp page.
  • Recent passport-size photograph.
  • Proof of address, such as a utility bill or bank statement.
  • Completed application form and specimen signature.
  • No-objection certificate from the current sponsor, where applicable.
  • Certificate of incorporation of the parent company.
  • Memorandum and Articles of Association.
  • Board resolution approving the Dubai incorporation.
  • Register of directors and shareholders.
  • Passport copies of directors and authorised signatories.
  • Documents attested and legalised for use in the UAE.
  • Parent company trade license and incorporation documents.
  • Board resolution to open a Dubai branch and appoint a manager.
  • Power of attorney for the branch manager.
  • Audited financial statements of the parent, where requested.
  • Attested and legalised corporate documents.
[ESTIMATED SETUP TIME]
5 to 10 Business Days
Depending on the activity and the approvals required. Investor and employee visas, together with Emirates ID, usually take an additional 2 to 3 weeks.
[VALUATION PARAMETERS]
Structure Dependent Framework
Depends on business activities, legal structure, office or Ejari premises, visa quota and external approvals. Government fees are separate from professional fees. Contact us for a personalised quote with no hidden charges.
Why Choose Legacy Partners for Dubai Mainland Setup

Direct operational configurations aligned to your corporate rollout workflows.

Direct experience with Dubai DET
We manage activity codes, approvals and notarisation daily.
End-to-end service
Licensing, Ejari, visas and bank-account introductions under one roof.
Transparent pricing
Clear, all-inclusive packages with no surprise invoices.
Multilingual advisors
A single dedicated point of contact throughout your setup.
[ PRACTICE INQUIRIES ]

Frequently Asked Questions

Dubai DET is the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the authority that regulates and licenses mainland business activity in the emirate of Dubai. It was formerly known as the Department of Economic Development (DED).

Yes. Most commercial and professional activities now allow 100% foreign ownership. Only a limited list of strategic-impact activities may still require a local partner or Emirati agent.

Yes. A mainland company licensed by Dubai DET can trade directly across the UAE and internationally, with no distributor required.

Yes. A Dubai mainland company requires physical premises with a tenancy contract registered through Ejari, and the office size influences your visa allocation.

Licensing typically takes 5 to 10 business days depending on the activity and approvals. Visa and Emirates ID processing adds about 2 to 3 weeks.

Dubai DET issues commercial, professional, industrial and tourism licenses, selected according to your business activity.

The visa quota is linked to the size of your registered office space, which makes mainland setups flexible for businesses that plan to grow their team.

Ejari is Dubai’s official tenancy registration system. Registering your office lease through Ejari is a requirement for a mainland trade license.
[REGIONAL COMPLIANCE ROUTER]

Compare your options on our main Company Formation in UAE hub, or explore mainland setup in other Emirates — Abu Dhabi (ADDED), Sharjah (SEDD), Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain. For post-setup support, see our Corporate Tax, VAT, Audit, Accounting, Trademark and Business Advisory services.

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