Business setup in Mainland

If you want to setup business in Dubai and make use of the facilities provided there, then the mainland is the location for you. Mainland doesn’t come under the freezones of Dubai, and with the latest business policies of the UAE government, it is possible to have 100% ownership of businesses.

Dubai is constantly developing, and from the number of business licences being issued, it is evident that the number of businesses is growing in Dubai. Starting a business in Dubai gives you access to these market opportunities as well as a large foreign community of customers. Whether it be a large corporate service company or a simple restaurant, it is easy to setup business on the mainland, and the government itself is promoting business there. The Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) oversees issuing business licenses for companies that wish to start businesses on the mainland. The process is simple and straightforward, and you can start your business on the mainland in a matter of days.

Although there are some restrictions for non-nationals of UAE, it still allows the formation of businesses on the mainland for foreigners with the help of a local service agent and a memorandum of agreement (MoA), under which at least one manager should be appointed on the mainland to run the business.

Advantages of setting up business in Mainland

Option to have multiple branches
Can pitch in for special government & private projects
Access to the
local market
Ability to engage in a wide
range of business activities
Facilities of
Mainland

Steps to setup business in Mainland

Fixing on business activity

Fix on what kind of services or products that your company will be providing to fix on the type of license to apply for

Choose the appropriate legal form for the business

Depending on the type of ownership, the legal form of the company changes

Pick a unique
trade name

Fixing on a unique trade name that reflects your business activity is important to apply for a business license.

Get the necessary
documents

Documents like Local service agent agreement or MoA, and other approvals from concerned authorities.

Final approval and issuing
of business license

Finally fix the location of business, get all the approvals and the DED will issue your business license.

Apply for approval from the DED

Get the trade name approved and the initial approval of DED to form a company.