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ZoneWise AI · online

UAE mainland · onshore · DET / ADDED / SEDD

Mainland Company Formation in the UAE (2026 Guide)

A UAE mainland company is licensed by an emirate’s economic department and can trade anywhere in the UAE — with individuals, businesses and government entities — without a distributor. Since the 2021 reform of the Commercial Companies Law, most activities can be 100% foreign-owned, which has removed the old local-sponsor requirement for most businesses.

Get a written quote →Free zone vs mainland
Who issues the licenceEmirate economic department (DET, ADDED, SEDD, etc.)
Foreign ownershipUp to 100% for most activities
Market accessWhole UAE — B2C, B2B and government tenders
OfficePhysical office lease generally required
Corporate tax9% above AED 375,000 taxable income
VAT5% — mandatory above AED 375,000 turnover

Mainland licence cost in the UAE (2026)

ItemCost
Dubai mainland licence (government)≈ AED 11,500–13,500 plus approvals
Dubai all-in, zero visa (government)from ≈ AED 13,900
Dubai all-in, one visa (government)≈ AED 18,750
Other emiratesQuote required — generally lower than Dubai

Benefits of a mainland licence

  • Trade anywhere in the UAE without a distributor or extra licence
  • Bid for government and semi-government contracts
  • Open storefronts and serve consumers directly
  • No restriction on the size of your visa quota beyond your office space
  • Choose from the widest range of licensed activities

Requirements

  • Passport and Emirates ID (if resident) for each shareholder
  • Approved trade name and initial approval
  • Memorandum of Association (MoA), notarised where required
  • Tenancy contract for a physical office (Ejari in Dubai)
  • External approvals for regulated activities such as health, food, education or finance

What to watch out for

  • A physical office lease is usually required and is the biggest ongoing cost
  • Emiratisation rules apply to larger employers — check current MoHRE requirements
  • Government fees change — confirm the live figure for your activity before paying

How to set up a mainland company

  1. Choose the emirate, activity and legal formDecide the licence type (commercial, professional, industrial) and legal form (LLC, sole establishment, civil company or branch).
  2. Reserve the trade name and get initial approvalSubmit the name and activity for approval to the economic department.
  3. Lease premisesSign a tenancy contract for a physical office or shop — the office size affects your visa quota. Dubai requires Ejari registration.
  4. Draft and sign the Memorandum of AssociationThe MoA sets out shareholders, capital and management; it is signed before a notary where required.
  5. Obtain external approvalsRegulated activities need approval from other authorities (health, education, food, finance, etc.).
  6. Pay fees and receive the trade licencePay the government fees to receive your licence and commercial registration.
  7. Establishment card, visas, bank account and taxGet the immigration card, residence visas and Emirates ID, open the bank account and register for corporate tax and VAT.

Mainland company formation by emirate

Dubai MainlandDubai mainland companies are licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DED). A DET licence…Abu Dhabi MainlandAbu Dhabi mainland companies are licensed by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and processed through…Sharjah MainlandSharjah mainland companies are licensed by the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD). It is a popular lower-cost onshore…Ajman MainlandAjman mainland companies are licensed by the Ajman Department of Economic Development. Ajman is among the lower-cost onshore…Ras Al Khaimah MainlandRas Al Khaimah mainland companies are licensed by the RAK Department of Economic Development. RAK offers lower costs…Fujairah MainlandFujairah mainland companies are licensed by the emirate’s economic licensing authority. Fujairah’s east-coast location, port and industrial activity…Umm Al Quwain MainlandUmm Al Quwain mainland companies are licensed by the UAQ Department of Economic Development. It is one of…

Mainland licence types

Commercial LicenceA commercial licence lets a mainland company buy and sell goods — trading, import-export, retail, wholesale and distribution.…General Trading LicenceA general trading licence allows trade in a broad range of product categories under one licence — attractive…Professional LicenceA professional licence is for service businesses: consultancy, engineering, legal, accounting, marketing, design and similar professions. It can…Industrial LicenceAn industrial licence permits manufacturing, processing and assembly. It requires suitable premises such as a factory unit, and…E-commerce LicenceAn e-commerce licence lets you sell online — through your own website or marketplaces. Mainland lets you sell…

Legal structures

LLCA limited liability company (LLC) is the most common mainland legal form: shareholders’ liability is limited to their…Sole EstablishmentA sole establishment is a business owned by one natural person. It is simple to set up but…Branch of a Foreign CompanyA branch lets an existing foreign company operate in the UAE without forming a new subsidiary. It is…Civil CompanyA civil company is a legal form for professional and service firms — consultants, lawyers, engineers, accountants and…

Compare

Free Zone vs MainlandThe choice between a free zone and a mainland licence comes down to where your customers are. Mainland…

Mainland company formation: FAQs

Can foreigners own 100% of a UAE mainland company?

For most commercial, industrial and professional activities, yes — since the 2021 changes to the Commercial Companies Law. A limited list of activities with strategic impact remains subject to UAE-national participation, so confirm your exact activity.

Do I still need a local sponsor or service agent?

For most activities, no. The requirement for a UAE national to hold 51% or act as a service agent was removed for the majority of businesses. Regulated or strategic sectors may still have conditions.

How much does a mainland licence cost in Dubai?

Published government costs start at about AED 11,500–13,500 for the trade licence itself, and about AED 13,900 all-in for a zero-visa company, with one visa around AED 18,750. Office rent, professional fees and external approvals are extra.

How long does mainland setup take?

Typically one to three weeks in Dubai once documents and the tenancy contract are ready, longer for regulated activities that need external approvals.

Is mainland or free zone better?

Mainland is better if you sell inside the UAE or want government work. A free zone is usually cheaper and simpler if you serve international clients or trade online. Our comparison page walks through the trade-offs.

What documents are needed for a mainland licence?

Typically passport copies for shareholders and managers, an approved trade name, a Memorandum of Association, a premises lease and approvals for regulated activities. Foreign corporate shareholders need attested incorporation documents.

Do mainland companies pay corporate tax and VAT?

The UAE applies 9% corporate tax above AED 375,000 of taxable income, and 5% VAT with mandatory registration above AED 375,000 of taxable turnover. Small Business Relief may apply for eligible businesses — check current Federal Tax Authority guidance.

How long does a mainland licence last and how is it renewed?

Mainland trade licences are issued for one year and renewed annually with the licensing department, together with the office lease, establishment card and any external approvals. Renewal fees are broadly comparable to the first-year licence fee, and late renewal attracts fines.

How many visas can a mainland company have?

The visa quota depends mainly on the size of your registered office space, plus the activity and shareholder count. Larger premises support more visas, which is why the office lease is the key sizing decision.

Can a mainland company also operate from a free zone?

Yes — many groups keep a mainland entity for UAE sales and a free zone entity for international work or holding. Each is a separate licence with its own costs and compliance.

Can ZoneWise help me choose between mainland and free zone?

Yes — send us your activity, customer location and visa needs and we will recommend the most cost-effective route, with a written quote.

Get a written quote for a UAE mainland licence

Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We reply on WhatsApp or email, with government fees shown separately from our fee.

  • Free, no obligation
  • Honest advice — including when a cheaper zone fits better
  • Remote setup available for most zones

By submitting you agree to be contacted about your enquiry.

Figures are indicative and were last reviewed in July 2026 (published fees) / September 2026 (page content). They are set by the relevant authorities and change; they exclude professional-service fees, office rent beyond a bundled desk, and external approvals. This page is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice — confirm the live position with the licensing department before paying.

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