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If you want to run a business that can sell to anyone in the UAE, local customers, businesses, government departments, or retail clients a mainland company in Dubai is the right structure for you.
A mainland company is a business entity licensed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, allowing it to operate across the UAE without restrictions. Unlike free zone structures, a mainland company is not restricted to a specific zone.
Since the UAE is landmark 2021 ownership reforms, foreign nationals can own 100% of a mainland company across more than 1,000 commercial and industrial activities. The old requirement for a local UAE national sponsor is gone for most business types.
At Silver Oak, we help entrepreneurs and businesses complete their mainland company formation in Dubai from choosing the right structure and license to getting your trade license, visa, and corporate bank account in place.
A mainland company is an onshore entity registered directly under the Department of Economy and Tourism. It is the most versatile legal structure available for entrepreneurs in the UAE.
Mainland company formation results in running an onshore company licensed by the Department of Economic Development of the United Arab Emirates. A mainland company is permitted to do business in both local markets and outside the geographical boundaries of the UAE without any restrictions.
This means your mainland company can:
Many entrepreneurs still believe they need a UAE national partner to set up on the mainland. This is no longer true for most businesses.
Following the UAE’s amended Commercial Companies Law, foreign nationals can own 100% of a Dubai mainland company across most business activities with no local sponsor required.
Mainland companies allow 100% foreign ownership for most commercial and industrial activities. There are still a small number of restricted activities such as certain oil and gas, defense, and security related businesses, where a UAE national partner is required. Our team confirms your specific activity’s ownership requirements before you begin.
A Limited Liability Company is the most popular structure for mainland business setup in Dubai. It suits trading, manufacturing, and service businesses and is owned by one or more shareholders. An LLC provides limited personal liability.
An LLC requires a minimum of one shareholder and a maximum of 50. Shareholders are only liable up to the amount of their capital contribution their personal assets are protected. This is the recommended structure for most businesses.
A sole proprietorship is owned and managed by one individual. It is ideal for professionals and consultants seeking full control. The owner assumes unlimited liability so personal assets are not protected. Suitable for single-owner professional service businesses consultants, freelancers, and independent professionals who want full control but understand the personal liability risk.
Civil companies are fully owned by professionals such as doctors, lawyers, engineers, and accountants. They are best suited for service businesses offering consultancy or expertise.
A foreign company can open a branch office in Dubai mainland, operating under the same legal identity as the parent company. The branch can conduct activities that match the parent company’s business. A branch requires a local service agent but this agent has no ownership rights.
As of 2026, free zone companies can register a branch with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism under Resolution 11/2025 and legally operate on the mainland without converting their company or adding a local sponsor.
Your trade license type depends on what your business does:
Many entrepreneurs still worry about unexpected administrative fees swallowing their budget. Understanding the full cost from day one prevents surprises.
Here is a practical cost breakdown:
Trade License Fee
Costs vary depending on your specific business activity and the number of activities included.
Office Space A registered physical office is mandatory for all mainland companies. A physical office of minimum 200 sq ft is required and must be registered with Ejari.
Visa Costs
Other Costs
Total Estimated First Year Cost For a small service-based mainland company with one investor visa, expect total first-year costs of AED 35,000 to AED 55,000 including license, office, and visa. Contact Silver Oak for an accurate quote based on your specific activity and requirements.
The Dubai mainland business setup process covers trade name reservation, DED approval, MOA drafting, office space, and final license issuance all in a structured sequence.
Step 1 — Choose Your Business Activity Your activity determines your license type and any special approvals you may need from regulatory bodies. Our team helps you identify the right activity codes from the start getting this right avoids delays and amendments later.
Step 2 — Choose Your Company Structure Decide between LLC, sole proprietorship, civil company, or branch office based on your ownership situation and business needs.
Step 3 — Reserve Your Trade Name Submit three trade name options to the DET for approval. Your name must be unique, not already registered, and comply with UAE naming rules no offensive words, no references to religion or politics, and no names that are too similar to existing companies.
Step 4 — Get Initial Approval from DET Apply for initial approval from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. This confirms your planned activity is permitted and that your shareholders are cleared to proceed.
Step 5 — Draft and Notarize Memorandum of Association Your Memorandum of Association outlines your company structure, shareholding percentages, and business activities. It must be drafted correctly and notarized at a UAE notary public. We handle this for you.
Step 6 — Secure Your Office Space Find and sign a tenancy contract for your office minimum 200 sq ft. Register the contract on the Ejari system. Your office address is required to complete the license application.
Step 7 — Pay License Fees and Receive Trade License Mainland setup usually takes two to three weeks because it involves more government departments. Once all approvals are in place, you pay the license fees and your trade license is issued.
Step 8 — Apply for Establishment Card The establishment card is issued within five to seven working days after application submission. This is required before you can apply for any employee or investor visas.
Step 9 — Open a Corporate Bank Account Once your trade license is issued, apply for a corporate bank account. Our team helps you choose the right bank and prepares all required documentation.
Step 10 — Apply for Visas The application for the electronic visa is made online and the visa is issued within five working days after application submission. We handle all visa applications for investors, employees, and family members.
Documents issued outside the UAE must be notarized in the country of origin, attested by the UAE Embassy in that country, and counter-attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Setting up a Dubai mainland company opens the door to multiple UAE residency pathways from the standard two-year investor visa through to the prestigious 10-year Golden Visa.
Investor Visa — 2 or 3 Years Available to all shareholders and partners registered on the mainland trade license. Renewable and allows full UAE residency for you and your family.
Employee Visa — 2 Years For staff working in your company. The number of employee visas you can apply for depends on your office size and company activity.
Family Visa Once you have a valid investor visa, you can sponsor your spouse, children, and parents for UAE residence visas.
UAE Golden Visa — 10 Years Available to DET-licensed mainland company owners who meet specific investment thresholds. The Golden Visa gives you 10 years of UAE residency without needing annual renewal and allows you to sponsor family members on the same long-term basis.
Mainland companies are subject to UAE corporate tax at 9%, VAT regulations if applicable, and office lease requirements through Ejari. This is why the structure matters.
Here is what mainland company owners need to know about UAE corporate tax:
Silver Oak Auditing team will handles your corporate tax registration, planning, and return filing making sure you meet all requirements and pay only what you are legally required to pay.
This is the most common question we get and the answer depends entirely on what your business does and who your customers are.
Choose Mainland if:
Choose Free Zone if:
Note: as of 2026, free zone companies can register a DET mainland branch under Resolution 11/2025 and legally operate on the mainland, so the boundary between free zone and mainland has become more flexible than before.
Our team gives you an honest comparison and recommends the right structure for your specific business before you commit to anything.
A mainland company in Dubai gives you full access to the UAE market, government contracts, retail opportunities, and the most recognized business structure in the country with 100% foreign ownership now available for most activities.
Silver Oak handles the complete mainland company formation process from trade name reservation and DED approvals to trade license issuance, visa processing, bank account opening, and ongoing accounting and compliance support.
Contact us today for a free consultation and find out exactly what it will cost and how long it will take to set up your mainland company in Dubai.
A mainland company is a business entity licensed by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, allowing it to operate across the UAE without restrictions. Unlike free zone structures, a mainland company is not restricted to a specific zone.
Yes. Following the UAE is amended Commercial Companies Law, foreign nationals can own 100% of a Dubai mainland company across most business activities with no local sponsor required. A small number of restricted activities still require a UAE national partner, our team confirms this for your specific activity.
Mainland setup usually takes two to three weeks because it involves more government departments. Having all documents prepared correctly from the start speeds up the process significantly.
Most mainland company structures in Dubai have no minimum capital requirement. Some specific business activities may have capital requirements set by their regulatory authority. Our team confirms the exact requirements for your business activity.
Yes. A physical office of minimum 200 sq ft is required and must be registered with Ejari. The office address is required to complete your trade license application.
The main structures are Limited Liability Company, Sole Proprietorship, Civil Company, and Branch of Foreign or UAE Company. The LLC is the most popular choice for most businesses.
Yes. Only mainland companies are eligible to bid for UAE government contracts and tenders. Free zone companies cannot bid for government work without a mainland presence.
Total first-year costs for a small service business including license, office, and one investor visa typically range from AED 35,000 to AED 55,000. Costs vary depending on your business activity, office size, and visa requirements. Contact Silver Oak for a clear and accurate quote.
Mainland companies pay 9% corporate tax on taxable income above AED 375,000 per year. Income up to AED 375,000 is taxed at 0%. Small businesses with revenue under AED 3 million may qualify for Small Business Relief. All mainland companies must register for corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority.
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