Set Up Your Company in Dubai Mainland & Licence Welcome to
Set Up Your Company in Dubai Mainland & Licence Set Up Your Business in Dubai Mainland
Your gateway to full ownership, wider reach, and stronger market presence.
Setting up your company in the Dubai Mainland gives you complete freedom to trade anywhere in the UAE and beyond. A mainland licence, issued by the Department of Economic Development (DED), lets you build, expand, and operate across borders—without restrictions on location or ownership.
At Oasis Start, we simplify the entire process from registration to licensing, guiding you through your best-fit structure—commercial, professional, or industrial.
You’ll gain 100% foreign ownership, local credibility, and the ability to engage with clients across the UAE.
Advantages of a Dubai Mainland Licence
Operate Without Boundaries
A mainland licence gives you what every business wants—freedom. You can trade anywhere in the UAE or beyond, without being tied to one zone. For ambitious founders, that flexibility means fewer limits and more opportunities.
Build a Stronger Presence
A Dubai address still carries weight. Setting up on the mainland lets you open offices where your clients are, meet partners face to face, and grow visibility across every major business district.
Move Money Freely
No currency restrictions. No unnecessary barriers. You can repatriate profits or capital anytime, keeping your financial operations lean, compliant, and globally flexible.
Access Government Contracts
With a mainland licence, you’re eligible to bid for government tenders and large-scale public projects. These opportunities don’t just boost revenue—they establish your company among trusted, long-term partners in the UAE.
Unrestricted Visa Limits
Scaling up is straightforward. Mainland businesses can expand visa quotas as operations grow—no bureaucracy hurdle, just small practical adjustments tied to office space and staffing needs.
Smart, Scalable, and Cost-Efficient
No minimum capital requirement. A favourable tax environment. This means corporate taxes apply only to profits exceeding federal thresholds. You’ll maintain the same tax bracket and benefits as free zone entities, but with far greater flexibility to operate.
Advantages of a Dubai Mainland Licence
Choose What You’ll Build, Trade, or Create
Dubai Mainland offers a broad range of licensed activities from manufacturing to consulting and more. Each of these licences opens different doors for growth, partnerships, and expansion, even beyond the UAE.
At Oasis Start, we help you match your business goals with the right licence, making sure that your company has the right documents, follows proper procedure, and stays compliant from day one.
Industrial Licence
For businesses transforming raw materials into finished products, the Industrial Licence is your starting point. It covers manufacturing, processing, assembling, and packaging. Whether it’s a large-scale production facility or a boutique workshop, this licence connects your operations to Dubai’s industrial framework while keeping compliance simple.
Commercial Licence
If your business is into expert, import, and international trade, including E-commerce, this licence is what you need. It supports activities across retail, real estate, construction, and logistics. Flexible and scalable, it lets you move products and ideas within the UAE and beyond, giving your business room to expand without unnecessary complexity.
Professional Licence
Tailored for service-based professionals — consultants, designers, accountants, and creatives — the Professional Licence gives you full control over your practice. It’s designed for businesses built on expertise, allowing you to operate with authority, maintain ownership, and focus on delivering quality services.
Tourism Licence
For travel, hospitality, or event management ventures, the Tourism Licence opens multiple pathways. You can operate city tours, international travel packages, or organize conferences and exhibitions. With Dubai’s tourism sector reaching new heights, this licence positions your business to capture opportunity while staying fully secure and compliant.
Business Structures Under Dubai Mainland License
Choosing the Right Legal Structure for Your Dubai Mainland Company
Civil Company
This is a solid choice for professional or service-based partnerships. Partners can be of any nationality, but if there’s no UAE or GCC national involved, you’ll need a Local Service Agent (LSA). Everyone shares responsibility for debts or obligations, so clear agreements are essential.
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
An LLC works well for 2-50 shareholders, especially if you’re a foreign investor or expat. Some business activities even allow full foreign ownership. It gives you flexibility while keeping liability tied to the company’s capital — a popular option for both small ventures and bigger setups.
Sole Proprietorship
Perfect for individual entrepreneurs. You can have full foreign ownership, with an LSA helping manage regulatory matters. It’s a simple structure that lets you offer professional services anywhere in the UAE without extra hassle.
Branch Office of Local & Foreign Companies
Already have a company in the UAE or abroad? You can open a branch on the mainland under your existing license. The branch can run multiple activities listed on the parent license — a smart way to expand without creating a whole new entity.
Steps to Set Up Your Dubai Mainland Company
1. Choose Your Business Activity and Structure
Before anything else, you’ll want to pin down what your company will do and the structure it will operate under. Dubai offers over 1,500 business activities, from consultancy to trading. Your choice shapes licensing, approvals, and operations. At Oasis Start, we’ll guide you to match your expertise with the right structure, making sure you start on the right foot.
2. Register Your Company Name with DED
Picking a unique name isn’t just a formality—it’s going to be a part of the brand in the UAE. It has two purposes: first being to give your business a formal identity, and second, to differentiate you from the existing businesses. Once approved by the Department of Economic Development (DED), your company name is officially yours, typically within three days.
3. Apply for Your Mainland Trade License
With your name set, the next step is the trade license application. The DED regulates all permissible commercial activities, and some are restricted. You’ll need the right documents, from identification to sharing details. We help you navigate the paperwork easily, reducing delays.
4. Arrange Office or Coworking Space
Licensing can usually require a physical address, though options vary.From traditional offices to affordable coworking spaces, you will have an option of which to use based on your budget and needs. We handle all the necessary approvals, like the tenancy contract, EJARI, and RERA documents will be handled efficiently for you.
5. Prepare Key Documents (MoA & AoA)
The Memorandum and Articles of Association define ownership, partner roles, and decision-making power. Drafting them correctly is the most important task in this stage. We also ensure that the governance of your company is updated and in accordance with the law by working with legal experts.
6. Pay Fees and Collect Your License
After documents are prepared, submit them for approval. Once approvals are done, settle the fees and receive your official license. This marks the moment your business is legally recognized to operate on the Dubai Mainland.
7. Open a Corporate Bank Account
Finally, set up a business bank account to manage finances. Modern digital banking speeds up the process, and we’ll guide you through documentation, account selection, and banking options, making sure smooth transactions from the start.