Own 100% of Your Dubai Mainland Company
Set up an onshore company that trades freely across the UAE, bids for government contracts, and opens unlimited branches – structured personally around your activity, budget, and long-term plan. Handled by me, from first consultation to final licence.
Book a Free ConsultationWhy a mainland licence changes what your business can do
Free zones are excellent for many models – but if you want to sell directly to the UAE market, work with government, or scale without geographic limits, mainland is usually the stronger foundation.
Trade anywhere in the UAE
Sell to customers in any emirate, open retail outlets, and invoice local clients directly – no local distributor or agent required.
Bid for government contracts
Only mainland entities can tender for UAE federal and local government work – a market worth billions each year that free zone companies can’t touch.
Scale without a visa cap
Employee visa quotas grow with your office space and activity – no hard ceiling that forces a restructure when you grow.
100% ownership, kept simple
Since the 2021 reforms, most activities allow full foreign ownership with no Emirati partner – I confirm eligibility for your exact activity before you commit.
Unlimited branches
Open additional locations across the country under one licence structure as demand grows, instead of forming a new entity each time.
Credibility with banks
A mainland LLC with a physical Ejari address strengthens your corporate bank application – I introduce you through established banking relationships.
Structure first. Paperwork second.
I don’t start with forms – I start with the decision. We map your activity, ownership, and tax position to the right structure before a single application goes in. That’s why my clients rarely re-file.
Understand the business, not just the licence
A free consultation to map your model, target market, ownership goals, and budget – so the structure fits the strategy.
Confirm activity & ownership in real time
AI-augmented checks against current DET, MOHRE and FTA rules confirm your activity qualifies for 100% ownership before we file.
Design the entity & cost plan
Legal form, share capital, office type, and a transparent, itemised cost sheet – approved by you before anything is submitted.
Handle every submission personally
Name reservation, initial approval, MOA, Ejari, licence, establishment card, visas and Emirates ID – filed and tracked by me.
Bank, comply, and grow
Bank introduction, corporate-tax registration, and ongoing renewals so you stay compliant as you scale.
What this actually buys you
Full ownership & profit
Full control of your company and its earnings, with no partner to answer to.
Hours saved
Queues, portals, and follow-ups handled for you instead of eating your week.
One point of contact
Me – start to finish. No account handoffs, no call centre, no junior staff.
No hidden fees
Transparent, itemised pricing agreed before any work begins.
Mainland structures across industries
The right activity and structure differ by sector – here’s where I most often set clients up on the mainland.
Dubai mainland formation, answered plainly
Can a foreigner really own 100% of a Dubai mainland company?
Yes – for most commercial, professional, and industrial activities. Since the 2021 Commercial Companies Law reforms, more than 1,000 activities allow full foreign ownership with no Emirati partner. A few strategic sectors (such as banking, insurance, and telecom) still carry conditions. I confirm eligibility for your exact activity before we file anything.
How long does mainland company formation take?
A straightforward setup is often completed in about 5–14 working days. Regulated activities that need extra authority clearances – healthcare, education, finance, legal – can extend the timeline to roughly four to eight weeks. I give you a realistic timeline at the start and keep you updated throughout.
What’s the difference between mainland and free zone?
A mainland company can trade directly across the entire UAE, bid for government contracts, and open unlimited branches. A free zone company enjoys full ownership too, but generally serves clients inside its zone or internationally, and needs a distributor or branch to sell onshore. Which is right depends on your customers and goals – that’s exactly what we settle in the consultation.
How much does it cost to set up a mainland company?
It depends on your activity, legal form, office type, and visa count, so I don’t quote a headline figure that later changes. You receive a transparent, itemised cost sheet up front covering government fees, office/Ejari, and my service fee – with no hidden charges – before you commit.
Do I still need a local sponsor or service agent?
For most activities, no – the majority-sponsor requirement was removed. Some professional structures still appoint a Local Service Agent for administrative liaison only, with no equity or profit share. I’ll tell you clearly which applies to your case.
Will my company pay corporate tax?
UAE corporate tax applies at 9% on taxable profits above AED 375,000; profits below that threshold are effectively taxed at 0%. I register you with the FTA and set up a simple compliance plan from day one so it’s handled, not a year-end scramble.
Can you help me open a corporate bank account?
Yes. I prepare your application and introduce you to banks that fit your profile through established relationships, which improves both approval odds and turnaround. Banks make the final decision, but strong preparation makes a real difference.
Which visas come with a mainland licence?
Your licence and office space determine your visa quota. I handle the establishment card, investor/partner visa, staff visas, medicals, and Emirates ID – coordinated so you and your team can be on the ground quickly.
Do you handle everything, or just part of it?
Everything – activity selection, approvals, MOA, licensing, Ejari, visas, banking introduction, and tax registration – personally. And I stay on for renewals and growth advisory afterwards.
I already have a free zone company. Can I move to mainland?
Often yes – through a branch, a conversion, or a new mainland entity, depending on your situation. We’ll look at the cleanest, most cost-effective route for your activity and existing contracts in the consultation.
Let’s structure your Dubai company the right way
Book a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll map your activity, ownership, and timeline – and you’ll leave with a clear plan and honest pricing, whether or not we work together.
Book a Free ConsultationFrequently Asked Questions
How much does mainland company formation in Dubai cost in 2026?
Total first-year cost for a Dubai mainland LLC typically ranges from AED 25,000 to AED 55,000 depending on activity, office requirement (physical or Ejari-registered virtual), visa quota, and any required external approvals. This covers DED trade licence, initial approval, MoA notarisation, Ejari, and immigration establishment card. Ongoing costs from year two are lower once one-time setup fees drop out.
This mainland company formation Dubai process is the same one I walk every client through personally, from trade name reservation to the final licence.
How long does it take to set up a mainland company in Dubai?
A straightforward Dubai mainland LLC (professional or commercial activity, no external approvals) typically completes in 5 to 10 working days from document submission. Regulated activities requiring approvals from DHA, KHDA, RTA, or other authorities can extend the timeline to 3 to 6 weeks.
Can I own 100% of a mainland company in the UAE?
Yes, since 2021 most commercial and industrial activities on the UAE mainland allow 100% foreign ownership without a local Emirati partner. A small list of strategic activities (defence, oil and gas, banking, security services) still requires local participation. Confirming your specific activity code against the current 100% ownership list is a key pre-formation step.
What is the difference between mainland and free zone in Dubai?
A mainland company can trade directly with the entire UAE market and take government contracts, and is subject to standard UAE corporate tax rules. A free zone company gets faster setup, sector-specific ecosystems, and potential 0% corporate tax on qualifying income only – but has restrictions on selling directly to the UAE mainland market. The right choice depends on your customer base and revenue model, not on the licence fee.
What documents do I need to form a mainland company in Dubai?
The core document set is passport copies of all shareholders and managers, entry stamp or UAE visa page, proposed trade name (three alternatives), business activity selection from the DED list, MoA, Ejari tenancy contract, initial approval from DED, and any external approvals your activity requires. Corporate shareholders need attested corporate documents from the country of origin.