Dubai Mainland Business Setup & Company Formation |IBZ

Dubai Mainland

Mainland Business Setup in Dubai

Dubai Mainland Business Setup & Company Formation

Any company, professional, or entrepreneur wishing to set up their business in the mainland of Dubai needs to have a license. The Dubai Mainland License is registered under the Dubai Economic Department (DED).

Getting the Dubai Mainland License is a golden move right now that will benefit your business greatly. You can choose any type of mainland license depending on your company type and the jurisdiction you wish to work.

Types of Mainland Licenses

There are three types of mainland licenses offered in Dubai:

Professional Trade License

This license is for professionals, craftspersons, specialists, and other skilled workers and requires proof of skill or training.

Industrial Trade License

This license is required if your business setup involves manufacturing products from raw materials in Dubai. Attaining this license requires approval from other relevant authorities like the Ministry of Energy.

Commercial Trade License

Businesses that buy and sell products will need to obtain a Commercial Trade License to set up a legitimate business on the Dubai mainland. Commercial Trade Licenses are further subdivided into categories according to different business types.

Setup and Registration

How to Set Up Dubai Mainland Company And Business Registration

Forming a business setup in Dubai mainland can be accomplished easily if you know what to do. Here we’ve broken down this task into simple steps:

1. Identify Your Business Activity Type

Decide what business activity you will be operating in Dubai. The type of Dubai mainland activity you choose will determine what legal forms apply to you and which Dubai Mainland License you need to obtain.

2. Choose A Local Agent

Dubai trade laws require foreign businesses of Sole Proprietorship or LLC-type models to have a local sponsor who controls 51% of the company's shares.
You should choose an agent from a reliable source or agency to prevent issues in the future.

3. Register A Trade Name

Choose a unique trade name and register digitally on the website or phone application of the economic department of the Emirates.
The website and app include guidelines for selecting suitable trade names for your business.

4. Get Initial Approval

After getting the early paperwork, you can apply to get initial approval at the Dubai Economic Department, which lets you begin the company setup process alongside applying for further certification.
Before applying for initial approval, foreign business investors need additional approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners’ Affairs.

5. Obtain Additional Paperwork And Approvals

Depending on your business, you may need to get approval from local government bodies and municipalities to apply for a Dubai Mainland License.

6. Apply for Mainland License

After gathering all the relevant paperwork, including Trade Name Registration documents, passports, initial approval documents, and office space lease agreement, you can now begin the application process to get a Dubai Mainland License.
Further details about document requirements for Dubai Mainland License Registration are mentioned in the next section.

What is Needed to Get It Done

Requirements for Dubai Mainland Company Setup

The following requirements must be met to set up a company on Dubai mainland:

Trade Name Registration Documents

Trade name registration documents with three name options are required. You can apply for this and get a registration bald for six months.

Initial Approval Documents

You will be asked to submit an initial approval certificate from the Dubai Economic Department.

Lease Agreement for Your Office Space

You must display a lease agreement for the office space you will be renting for your business. Dubai trading laws require any business setup to have at least 200 square ft. of office space.

Passport Copies

Valid passport copies with entry stamps on the visa page for all the company shareholders must be presented.

Additional Documents

Additional documents like approvals and certifications from required local government bodies must be obtained and submitted.

Business Registration Documents

You will need to submit the business registration documents for your setup. The papers should be notarized and attested by the United Arab Emirates Embassy.

Mainland Business Setup Jurisdictions in Dubai

Choosing the right Dubai Mainland location to set up your business is the key to seeing it flourish and grow rapidly. Since Dubai mainland general trading license is the choice of enterprises, they aimed to cover local UAE markets.

The following Dubai Mainland jurisdictions are sure to have your business thriving in no time:

1. Dubai Internet City

Dubai Internet City was founded in 1999 and has played a key role in Dubai’s progress as a smart city. The area is a business hub for technology and IT companies and businesses. Digital marketing companies looking to lay the foundations for their company should consider this location for their business.

2. Deira

Deira is an older part of the business jurisdictions in Dubai. However, it is still an excellent place to set up your business, especially if you are a start-up or a small business owner, because Deira attracts a lot of tourist traffic due to its historical value.

3. Sheikh Zayed Road

If you have the amount to invest in this expensive business location, you should do so. The Sheikh Zayed Road is a highway bridge between the biggest cities of UAE–Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. It has the biggest businesses alongside it in rows of magnificent architecture, creating the iconic UAE skylines.

4. Al Quoz

If your business involves manufacturing and selling commercial products from raw materials, Al Quoz gives you the option of industrial sites close to commercial ones. This can save you some money in transporting raw material and finished goods.

5. Business Bay

This location has a residential and commercial infrastructure and is perfect for professional service-providing businesses and retail companies.

Our Pricing

Choose The Best Pricing For You

Professional License

18,999AED

Commercial License

21,999AED

General Trading License

34,999AED

Benefits of Getting a Dubai Mainland License

If you’re stuck in the mainland vs freezone debate, consider the following benefits of getting a mainland license:

With a professional license, you can get 100% ownership in Dubai mainland with the condition of appointing a local agent for assistance.
You can trade all over UAE, including the free zone jurisdictions.
A mainland license lets you trade internationally as well.
You get a chance to work with the UAE government, which will boost your growth and profit.
Mainland companies have a complete exemption from corporate tax.
Mainland companies can have branches in different areas.

Dubai Mainland

Mainland Business Setup in Dubai