What mainland means
A UAE mainland company is licensed by an emirate’s economic department and can trade anywhere in the UAE — with individuals, businesses and government entities — without a distributor. Since the 2021 reform of the Commercial Companies Law, most activities can be 100% foreign-owned, which has removed the old local-sponsor requirement for most businesses.
Mainland licence cost in the UAE (2026)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Dubai mainland licence (government) | ≈ AED 11,500–13,500 plus approvals |
| Dubai all-in, zero visa (government) | from ≈ AED 13,900 |
| Dubai all-in, one visa (government) | ≈ AED 18,750 |
| Other emirates | Quote required — generally lower than Dubai |
Dubai figures are government costs published as at July 2026; other emirates are “quote required”.
Mainland company formation by emirate
Mainland licence types
Legal structures
Benefits of a mainland licence
- Trade anywhere in the UAE without a distributor or extra licence
- Bid for government and semi-government contracts
- Open storefronts and serve consumers directly
- No restriction on the size of your visa quota beyond your office space
- Choose from the widest range of licensed activities
Requirements
- Passport and Emirates ID (if resident) for each shareholder
- Approved trade name and initial approval
- Memorandum of Association (MoA), notarised where required
- Tenancy contract for a physical office (Ejari in Dubai)
- External approvals for regulated activities such as health, food, education or finance
What to weigh up
- A physical office lease is usually required and is the biggest ongoing cost
- Emiratisation rules apply to larger employers — check current MoHRE requirements
- Government fees change — confirm the live figure for your activity before paying
How to set up a mainland company
- Choose the emirate, activity and legal formDecide the licence type (commercial, professional, industrial) and legal form (LLC, sole establishment, civil company or branch).
- Reserve the trade name and get initial approvalSubmit the name and activity to the economic department.
- Lease premisesSign a tenancy contract for a physical office or shop; office size affects visa quota. Dubai requires Ejari registration.
- Draft and sign the Memorandum of AssociationThe MoA sets shareholders, capital and management; notarisation applies where required.
- Obtain external approvalsRegulated activities need approval from other authorities (health, education, food, finance and others).
- Pay fees and receive the trade licenceGovernment fees are paid to the licensing department.
- Establishment card, visas, bank account and taxArrange the immigration card, residence visas and Emirates ID; open the bank account; register for corporate tax and VAT where required.
Mainland company formation: FAQs
Can foreigners own 100% of a UAE mainland company?
For most commercial, industrial and professional activities, yes — since the 2021 changes to the Commercial Companies Law. A limited list of activities with strategic impact remains subject to UAE-national participation, so confirm your exact activity.
Do I still need a local sponsor or service agent?
For most activities, no. The requirement for a UAE national to hold 51% or act as a service agent was removed for the majority of businesses. Regulated or strategic sectors may still have conditions.
How much does a mainland licence cost in Dubai?
Published government costs start at about AED 11,500–13,500 for the trade licence itself, and about AED 13,900 all-in for a zero-visa company, with one visa around AED 18,750. Office rent, professional fees and external approvals are extra.
How long does mainland setup take?
Typically one to three weeks in Dubai once documents and the tenancy contract are ready, longer for regulated activities that need external approvals.
Is mainland or free zone better?
Mainland is better if you sell inside the UAE or want government work. A free zone is usually cheaper and simpler if you serve international clients or trade online. Our comparison page walks through the trade-offs.
What documents are needed for a mainland licence?
Typically passport copies for shareholders and managers, an approved trade name, a Memorandum of Association, a premises lease and approvals for regulated activities. Foreign corporate shareholders provide attested incorporation documents. Confirm the current checklist with the licensing department.
Do mainland companies pay corporate tax and VAT?
UAE corporate tax is 0% on taxable income up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it; VAT is 5% with mandatory registration above AED 375,000 of taxable supplies. Small Business Relief may apply to eligible businesses for tax periods ending on or before 31 December 2026. Check current Federal Tax Authority guidance.
How is a mainland licence renewed?
Mainland trade licences are issued for a period (commonly one year) and renewed with the licensing department together with the office lease, establishment card and any external approvals. Renewal fees are broadly comparable to the first-year licence fee; late renewal attracts fines.
How many visas can a mainland company have?
The visa quota depends mainly on the size of your registered office, plus activity and shareholder count. The office lease is the key sizing decision.
Can a mainland company also operate from a free zone?
Yes — many groups keep a mainland entity for UAE sales and a free zone entity for international work or holding. Each is a separate licence with its own costs and compliance.
Get a written quote for a UAE mainland licence
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We reply on WhatsApp or email with government fees shown separately from any service fee.
- Free, no obligation
- Honest advice — including when a different zone or mainland fits better
- No guarantee of visa or bank-account approval; both are subject to the relevant authority or bank
Information on this page is general and was compiled from public sources; fees and rules are set by the relevant authorities and change. Figures were last reviewed in July 2026 and exclude professional-service fees, office rent beyond any bundled desk, external approvals and bank requirements. This is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always confirm the current position with the relevant authority before paying. See our Disclaimer.