The five decisions
| Decision | Where to read |
|---|---|
| Activity | Determines licence type and approvals — licence guide |
| Legal form | LLC, sole establishment, civil company or branch — LLC |
| Premises | Ejari-registered office — office |
| Visas | Quota follows office size — visa |
| Budget | First-year budget |
Checklist
- Activity confirmed and licence type chosen
- Legal form and shareholders agreed
- Premises identified; Ejari plan
- Trade name options ready
- External approvals identified
- Visa count and bank plan
Alternatives to consider
If most customers are abroad or online, compare a free zone such as DMCC, IFZA or Meydan. See Dubai mainland vs free zone.
Sources and verification
Government-fee figures are those published by Dubai’s authorities as compiled in public guides and reviewed July 2026; amounts marked indicative come from market guides and vary. Confirm every figure with Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) before paying. Reviewed September 2026.
- UAE Government portal
- Federal Tax Authority
- Market guide: Mainland company formation Dubai cost (2026)
- Market guide: How to set up a company in Dubai (2026)
Fee-data status: Published (government) and Indicative (market) as labelled in each table.
Dubai mainland business setup: FAQs
What do I need to start a business on the Dubai mainland?
An approved activity and trade name, an Ejari-registered office, a Memorandum of Association, any external approvals and payment of government fees.
Is mainland setup harder than free zone?
It has more steps — notably the lease and notarised MoA — but gives UAE-wide market access.
Get a written quote for Dubai mainland
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.