Company Formation

Mainland Company Formation

Mainland company establishment in Dubai is an excellent investment opportunity for both businesses and investors. Mainland companies are business entities that operate within Emirati territory, providing the benefits of commercial law. Mainland companies in Dubai operate under the jurisdiction of the DED. The laws governing their activities can be found in Article No. 38 of Law No. (19) of 2004 on Licensing of Business Entities. The government of the United Arab Emirates will allow for 100% foreign ownership for businesses on the mainland of the country starting in June 2021. Earlier, expat business owners were only allowed to own a maximum of 49% shares in their businesses, while Emirati sponsors owned the remaining 51%.

Gulfex provides consultation for obtaining a Dubai mainland license and starting a business in the most popular locations of the UAE. We ensure your business license meets Dubai Economic Department requirements.

Our experienced consultants will guide you through each step for a successful corporate setup.

Process to start a mainland business in Dubai

Step 01: Memorandum of association (MOA)

Prepare the MOA to specify the guidelines for your new company, including its purpose and capital structure.

Step 02: Obtain initial approval

from the Department of Economic Development [DED]. The department will notarize your memorandum of agreement [MOA] once it has been finalized and issue you an approval letter. Business consultants like us can help you get this step taken care of.

Step 03: Trade name registration

Make sure you have an appropriate trade name and register it with the DED. Choose something that is not already in use by another company, or your application will be rejected.

Step 04: Mainland commercial office space

Office space is required to start a business in Dubai or the UAE. A registered office address is required for issuing a trade license. Ownership agreement or tenancy can be used as evidence of a registered office address.

Step 05: Apply for Trade License

To apply for a trade license in Dubai from the Department of Economic Development, you must first satisfy the above eligibility criteria:

Step 06: License Fee

Companies must pay a license fee and submit all required documents to the Commercial Registration Department of the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) and the Department of Economic Development (DED).

Step 07: Get your Trade License

Once you have registered with the Department of Economic Development, company registration procedures take a week to issue your trade license.

Our experienced consultants will guide you through each step for a successful corporate setup.

Mainland Business License Types

Professional

A professional license is required for professionals who take part in any professional activity like consulting. Compared to other licenses, the cost involved in the issuance of a professional license is less.

Commercial

A commercial license is required for businesses that buy and sell goods or provide services to customers. An individual may apply for a general trading license so that he can conduct several business endeavors under one license. Commercial licenses are very common in Dubai and the UAE mainland.

Industrial

To manufacture goods, businesses may need to obtain an Industrial License. These licenses may be issued by state and national governments, depending upon the type of industrial activity.

Tourism

All tourism-related activities require a valid tourism license. The Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is responsible for issuing these licenses. A valid tourism license is mandatory to conduct inbound or outbound tour-related activities.