Mainland Company Formation
Are you looking to establish your business in Mainland UAE?
With our expert guidance and streamlined processes, setting up your company in the Mainland of the UAE has never been easier.
DUBAI ECONOMIC DEPARTMENT
The Department of Economic Development (DED) is the government body entrusted to set and drive the economic agenda of the emirate of Dubai, UAE. The DED supports the structural transformation of Dubai into a diversified, innovative service-based economy that aims to improve the business environment and accelerate productivity growth.
The DED and its agencies develop economic plans and policies, identify and support the growth of strategic sectors, and provide services to domestic and international investors and businesses.
The DED is also a proud winner of the Distinguished Government Entity in the Dubai Government Excellence Programmed 2012.
Benefits
No capital requirement for a local Dubai license?
Freedom to operate and have clients anywhere in UAE and around the globe
You can open your office anywhere in Dubai?
Widen your connections by being part of Dubai Business Club
REQUIREMENTS
- Prepare required documentation: application forms, business plan, passport copies of shareholders and managers, proof of residence, lease agreement, and no-objection certificate (if applicable).
- Obtain necessary approvals from government authorities, such as the Dubai Health Authority for healthcare businesses or the KHDA for educational institutions.
- Comply with all labor laws, tax regulations, and industry-specific standards applicable to your business activity.
- Ensure compliance with local labor laws, tax regulations, and industry-specific standards through regular audits and timely renewals.
- Adhere to safety and employment regulations as per UAE laws.
PROCEDURES
- Select the industry for your business from over 2,000 authorized activities by DED.
- Choose a suitable business location anywhere on the UAE mainland for maximum flexibility.
- Decide on the appropriate structure, e.g., Limited Liability Company (LLC) or Professional Services Company.
- Partner with a local sponsor (if required) or appoint a local service agent for government compliance.
- Register a unique trade name that adheres to UAE naming regulations.
- Submit required documents such as ownership details, shareholder visas, and sponsor agreements to DED.
- Choose from serviced offices, shell and core spaces, or pre-fitted offices, and complete Ejari registration.
- Obtain visas for business owners, employees, and dependents based on your office space.
- Provide necessary documents like trade license and shareholder details to set up a corporate account.
Frequently Asked Questions
General
No. Business registration and licensing procedures are associated with smart services which require Emirates ID.
• Reserve a trade name
• Obtain a preliminary approval
• Obtain an approval from other authorities if the activity deems necessary
• Obtain the Memorandum of Association of the companies
• Provide a certificate of authenticity of the lease contract issued from the Real Estate Regulatory Agency
Yes, except in the case of engineering consultancy.
No
• Filling a registration and license application form and reserving a trade name.
• A copy of the service agent’s passport (with the details of residence/Visa for non-GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) nationals)
• A copy of the service agent’s identity card and family book
• A copy of the responsible director’s passport and a no objection letter from his current sponsor
• Approval of other governmental agencies concerned with the activity of the company
• The Board of Directors’ decision to open a branch and to appoint a director
• A copy of the Memorandum of Association and the Commercial Register which should be duly certified by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE embassy of the country in which the company is incorporated.
Conditions of licensing the activity of the business center:
• The total site area of the business center shouldn’t be less than 5000 feet where the area of each office is not less than 250 feet including hallways and facilities. The net area per office shouldn’t be less than 200 square feet.
• Having a lease agreement between the property owner and the business center of a period not less than 4 years.
• A written consent by the property owner authorizing the business center to sublease the property during the period of the lease contract.
• Submitting schemes for the site showing the number and the distribution of offices until the allowed number of establishments that can be registered in the site is determined by the commercial register sector in accordance with the aforementioned information in paragraph (A) of this article.
• An annual fee of 25,000 twenty five thousand AED is calculated for every site allocated for the business center activities.
Having educational qualifications, experience, and obtaining external approvals.
Professional activities are the activities that depend on mental and physical effort to be practiced. They include agriculture, fishing, education, health, social work, and community, social and personal services.
Issuing of a Business License
• Reserving a trade name
• Obtaining a preliminary approval
• Obtaining an approval of other authorities if the activity deems necessary
• Obtaining a Memorandum of Association of the companies
• Obtaining a service agent contract for occupational licenses
• Lease contract issued from the Real Estate Regulatory Agency.
• Reserve a trade name
• Obtain a preliminary approval
• Obtain an approval from other authorities if the activity deems necessary
• Obtain the Memorandum of Association of the companies
• Provide a certificate of authenticity of the lease contract issued from the Real Estate Regulatory Agency.
Yes, except in the case of engineering consultancy.
no
• Filling a registration and license application form and reserving a trade name.
• A copy of the responsible director’s passport and a no objection letter from his current sponsor
• Approval of other governmental agencies concerned with the activity of the company
• The Board of Directors’ decision to open a branch and to appoint a director and a copy of the Memorandum of Association and the Commercial Register
• The Ministry of Economy approval for the commercial and industrial companies where the rate of nationals is less than 51%
• The total site area of the business center shouldn’t be less than 5000 feet where the area of each office is not less than 250 feet including hallways and facilities. The net area per office shouldn’t be less than 200 square feet.
• Having a lease agreement between the property owner and the business center of a period not less than 4 years.
• A written consent by the property owner authorizing the business center to sublease the property during the period of the lease contract.
• Submitting schemes for the site showing the number and the distribution of offices until the allowed number of establishments that can be registered in the site is determined by the commercial register sector in accordance with the aforementioned information in paragraph (A) of this article.
• An annual fee of 25,000 twenty five thousand AED is calculated for every site allocated for the business center activities.
Having educational qualifications, experience, and obtaining external approvals.
The same usual conditions in addition to paying 500 AED. Yes. No
Yes
Paying 50 million and having a legal form as a limited liability company.
Commercial activities are the activities that require a capital to be practiced. They include wholesale and retail trade, construction, transportation, stockpiling, communication, financial intermediation, real estate, and leasing.
Industrial activities are the activities that require a capital to be practiced. They include manufacturing, mining, quarrying, electricity, gas, and water.
Professional activities are the activities that depend on mental and physical effort to be practiced. They include agriculture, fishing, education, health, social work, and community, social and personal services.
No, but the owner can.
Yes
You can apply for a trade name online or go through an authorized document cearing office or approved lawirm. Please note that to access online services, you need a user account.
It includes the trade of all kinds of goods and products that are mentioned in full details in the trade category of the activity classification guidebook except for those that require an external approval from concerned authorities.
To be qualified, and to have an experience in the required consultation field. The requirements of the consultations that require an external approval are determined by concerned authorities.
Manage Business License
• Providing a letter from the company or the institution requesting to stop the licensing temporarily
• Providing a letter from the Ministry of Labor indicating the absence of sponsored people on the license
• Providing a report from the inspection division in Dubai DED.
Providing a certificate of authenticity of the lease contract issued from the Real Estate Regulatory Agency and an appendix of the Memorandum of Association when modifying the status of partners.
Providing a certificate of authenticity of the lease contract issued from the Real Estate Regulatory Agency and an appendix of the Memorandum of Association when modifying the status of partners.
Cancel Business License
If the partnership has ended more than 2 years ago.
• The license expiration date should have ended for more than 2 years.
• The national partner shall acknowledge his liability towards the company.
• Providing supporting documents that strengthens the dissolution request such as the escape of a partner
• Providing a letter from the Ministry of Labor indicating the absence of sponsored people on the license
• For sole proprietorships, a no objection letter from the Ministry of Labor is required in addition to a residence cancellation proof for non-Gulf nationals.
• For civil works companies, a no objection letter from the Ministry of Labor is required in addition to dissolution of partnership contract from the notary public.
• For commercial companies, a no objection letter from the Ministry of Labor is required in addition to a residence cancellation proof for non-Gulf nationals, the minutes of Annual General Meeting to liquidate the company and appoint a liquidator, a letter from the liquidator of accepting the liquidation, and announcing the liquidation in the newspaper.
Summary of Requirements for Individual Shareholder
1. Passport Copy
A clear copy of your passport, showing the photo page and signature page The passport must be valid for six months from the date of application.
2. Emirates ID & residence Visa page
(required from UAE residents)
3. NOC issued by Sponsor
(required from UAE residents)
4. UID number issued by Immigration
(required from NON UAE residents)
5. UAE Attested Diploma / College Degree
(required for Consultancy related activity) *Please contact us for Non individual requirements
Summary of Requirements for Corporate Shareholder
1. Certificate of Incorporation
Certified True Copy of the Certificate of Incorporation.
2. Trade License
Certified True Copy of the license.
3. Memorandum and Articles of Association
Certified True Copy of the Memorandum & Articles of Association
4. Certificate of Incumbency
An original latest Certificate of Incumbency or a legal document issued by the registrar, which confirms name of the shareholders and directors of the company.
5. Certificate of Good Standing
If the Corporate Entity is an Offshore, an original Certificate of Good Standing is required.
6. Shareholder’s Resolution
An original Shareholder’s Resolution confirming the establishment of the new company; and confirming the name of the person authorized to sign the company formation documents; it must be attested by the Registrar.
7. No Objection Letter
original letter from the registrar confirming that they have no objection in registering a company at DED.
Important Note: All documentation must be provided in English, or with an accompanying English translation.
Important Note
If established in UAE, it must be stamped by the governing body where the company was formed. If establish outside UAE, it must be stamped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the UAE Consulate in the Country of Origin. All documents need to be provided in English, or with an accompanying English translation.
Timeline
• Reserve a trade name
• Obtain a preliminary approval
• Obtain an approval from other authorities if the activity deems necessary
• Obtain the Memorandum of Association of the companies
• Provide a certificate of authenticity of the lease contract issued from the Real Estate Regulatory Agency
Cost
Starting from AED 21,000- Company Formation
USD 249 – Bank account opening assistance