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Dubai Mainland Company Setup
A mainland company is what you need to serve local clients in Dubai: a shop, a salon, a training center. We prepare the license and help with the premises, Ejari and special permits.
Dubai mainland company setup means registering your company in the emirate itself rather than in a free zone. A mainland company can work on the UAE market directly: serve clients, sell in a shop and take part in local contracts. That is why it is chosen for retail, beauty salons, education and other businesses with a physical location. Almost every condition depends on the activity: the legal form, the premises requirements, additional approvals and the ownership rules.
Premises are not a formality here. Many activities require a lease registered with Ejari, and some also require a fit-out design, finishing work and inspections. Some stages can be done remotely, but the visa, the premises and the bank account usually require a trip. Before registration we lay out all the costs: the license, rent, Ejari, permits, visas and annual fees.
Some stages can be done remotely; the visa, the premises and the bank account usually require a trip.
Who it is for
- Owners of shops, cafes and other retail outlets in Dubai
- Beauty salons and studios
- Education projects and children's centers
- Service companies working with clients inside the UAE
- Entrepreneurs who need more visas for their staff
Requirements
- An activity permitted for a mainland company
- Premises, a lease and Ejari registration, if the license requires them
- Special permits and approvals for certain activities
- Ownership rules that depend on the activity and the legal form; we check them before registration
- Annual renewal of the license and the lease
What we do
- Go through the business model, owners, staff and premises
- Identify the licensing authority and the approvals you need
- Help with the premises and Ejari registration
- Prepare the documents and obtain the license
- Arrange special permits where needed
- Plan the visas and the bank account around your trip
Key documents
- International passports of the founders and the manager
- Description of the activity and the business model
- Company name: several options
- Lease agreement for the premises and Ejari
- For a corporate founder: documents legalized and translated into Arabic
- Documents for special permits required by the activity
How it works
- Consultationactivity, owners, staff, premises and budget
- Routethe licensing authority, the legal form and the approvals required
- Name and initial approvalapproval of the company name and activity
- Premiseslease, Ejari and, if needed, fit-out design and inspections
- Licenseissue of the trade license and special permits
- Visas and bankestablishment card, visas and the account; this usually requires a trip
What to watch out for
- Premises that do not suit the activity have to be changed, so we choose them only after checking the requirements
- Rent, fit-out and inspections often cost more than the license itself
- Timing and decisions depend on government departments, so the license issue date cannot be named in advance
- The bank makes the decision on opening the account
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is from $6,800. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
How is a mainland company different from a free zone company?
A mainland company can work with clients across the UAE directly, but it usually needs premises and more approvals. A free zone company is simpler and cheaper to maintain, but it is limited on the local market. If you are not sure which suits you, start with a consultation on choosing the structure.
Do I have to rent premises?
It depends on the license and the activity. Shops, salons and education projects must have premises, together with a lease and Ejari registration. Requirements are lighter for some service activities. We check what your activity needs before you sign a lease, so you do not pay for premises that do not fit.
Do I need a local sponsor or co-founder?
Since 2021, a foreigner can fully own a mainland company in most activities, without a local co-founder. Restrictions remain for strategic sectors such as security and defense, communications, banking and insurance, and some others. Some legal forms, for example civil companies with a professional license, also require a local service agent under a contract. We check all of this before registration.
Can Dubai mainland company setup be done remotely?
Partly. Name approval, document preparation and the initial approval can be handled remotely. The visa, the premises and the bank account usually require a trip, which we plan so that the stages that need you in person fit together.
How long does it take to open the company?
It depends on the activity, how ready the premises are and which additional approvals are needed. We give you an estimate once we have identified the licensing authority and the list of permits, since these set the pace of the whole process.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
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Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
