Typical timeline
| Stage | Timing (indicative) |
|---|---|
| Name reservation and initial approval | Days, once the activity is clear |
| Lease, Ejari and MoA | Depends on the premises and notary appointments |
| External approvals | Add weeks for regulated activities |
| Licence issuance | Commonly 1–3 weeks overall once documents and the lease are ready |
| Visas, bank account, tax | Further weeks; bank decisions are outside your control |
Prepare in advance
- Three trade-name options and the exact activity
- Passport copies and photos for shareholders and managers
- Premises shortlisted before you reserve the name
- Share capital figure and manager details for the MoA
- A list of external approvals your activity needs
Common delays
- Name rejected or too close to an existing name
- Activity needing an external approval discovered late
- Premises not registered on Ejari in time
- Documents not attested for a corporate shareholder
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.
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 setup: FAQs
How long does Dubai mainland setup take?
Commonly one to three weeks once documents and the tenancy are ready; longer for regulated activities.
Can I set up without being in Dubai?
Parts can be done remotely, but visas need medical tests and biometrics in the UAE.
What is the biggest cost?
Usually the office lease rather than the licence itself.
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.