What it is
Dubai mainland companies are licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DED). A DET licence lets you trade anywhere in Dubai and the wider UAE, serve consumers directly and bid for government work — with up to 100% foreign ownership for most activities.
Legal structures
Common forms: LLC, sole establishment, civil company and branch of a foreign company. See Dubai LLC formation.
Government cost anchors
| Item | Government cost (reviewed July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Trade licence (government) | ≈ AED 11,500–13,500, plus name approval, initial approval, Tasheel and MoA |
| All-in, zero visa (government) | from ≈ AED 13,900 |
| All-in, one visa (government) | ≈ AED 18,750 |
| Establishment / immigration card | ≈ AED 750–2,000 one-off |
| Investor or partner visa | ≈ AED 3,500–6,000 each |
| Employee visa (incl. labour card) | ≈ AED 5,000–8,000 each |
More: licence cost · business setup cost.
Steps
- Choose activity, licence type and legal formCommercial, professional or industrial licence; LLC, sole establishment, civil company or branch.
- Reserve the trade name and get initial approvalSubmit name options and the activity to DET.
- Lease premises and register EjariA physical, Ejari-registered tenancy contract is generally required.
- Draft and sign the Memorandum of AssociationThe MoA sets shareholders, capital and management; notarisation applies as required.
- Obtain external approvalsRegulated activities need approval from other authorities.
- Pay fees and receive the trade licenceGovernment fees are paid to DET and related bodies.
- Establishment card, visas, bank and taxImmigration card, residence visas, Emirates ID, bank account, corporate-tax and VAT registration.
Who it suits
- Businesses that sell to local customers
- Companies wanting government contracts
- Businesses that need a storefront or showroom
Compare with DMCC or other free zones.
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 company formation: FAQs
How do I form a mainland company in Dubai?
Choose activity and legal form, reserve the name and get initial approval, lease an Ejari-registered office, sign the MoA, obtain any external approvals, pay fees and receive the licence.
Who licenses Dubai mainland companies?
Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET), formerly DED.
Can foreigners own 100%?
Most activities allow it; see the ownership guide.
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.