What changed
Amendments to the Commercial Companies Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020) and the new Commercial Companies Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021) removed the general 51% UAE-national requirement for most onshore activities. The change is reflected in DET practice; confirm for your activity.
Strategic-impact activities
Activities with strategic impact remain subject to conditions, which can include UAE-national participation or specific approvals. The list and conditions are set by the authorities and can change — check with DET before you commit.
What to confirm
- Your exact activity code and whether it is on the strategic list
- Whether any external approval is needed
- How ownership is documented in the MoA
Related
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 100% foreign ownership: FAQs
Can foreigners own 100% of a Dubai mainland company?
For most activities, yes. Strategic-impact activities may carry conditions.
Do I still need a local service agent?
Generally not for most activities; confirm for yours.
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.