Establish your mainland company in Dubai

Dubai mainland companies have unrestricted trade with other businesses and can operate from any location within the UAE. They can serve the government, trade directly with consumers nationwide, and establish multiple branches, enabling a strong presence across the Emirates.

Mainland businesses are also in a position to undertake a wide scope of work.

Any incentive for mainland business setup in Dubai is that government tenders are big business in the UAE.

Traditionally, foreign ownership of a UAE business was limited to free zones or certain professional services companies on the mainland. However, recent changes allow 100% foreign ownership of mainland companies in the UAE, facilitating business for overseas investors without the need for local partners, except in strategic sectors like oil and gas.

Switching from a free zone to a mainland company formation in Dubai is a significant step for business growth. While free zone structures offer convenience and pre-packaged business solutions, they come with limitations. As businesses expand, transitioning to a mainland company becomes essential for prosperity.  With the right UAE national sponsor or company formation specialist, moving from a free zone to the UAE mainland is a shrewd and manageable move.

For all mainland business activities in the UAE, obtaining a license in one of these categories is essential.

Similar to many global locations, obtaining a trade license is crucial for validating your mainland company's legality in the United Arab Emirates. It is required before commencing business activity, ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations.

While there are various steps involved in registering your business in the mainland, obtaining a trade license in Dubai is pivotal for business setup.

When starting a new business in the UAE, acquiring the appropriate trade license is paramount for long-term success. The type of business activities, company structure, and jurisdiction affect the type of trade license needed and applicable requirements.

As you initiate the company formation process and establish a mainland business in Dubai, consider these three types of trade licenses.

Private companies can secure new employment entry permits for their employees, requiring application for residence visa status within 30 days of the employee's arrival in the UAE. For companies registered in a free zone, the employment visa is valid for three years, while for onshore registered companies, it's valid for two years. Additionally, employers are responsible for arranging all travel arrangements for new employees, including any 'okay to board' requirements from certain airlines.

(Please note that the information below only applies to residents of the UAE).

If your family members are outside the UAE, you must first apply for an entry residence visa. After they arrive you then have up to 30 days to apply for the residence stamp. Your monthly salary should not be less than AED 4,000 (or AED 3,000 plus accommodation). If you wish to sponsor a residence visa for your parents, your minimum monthly salary should be AED 20,000 (or AED 19,000 plus a two-bedroom accommodation).

Required documentation includes:

• Typed application form.
• Salary certificate (for government employees) or attested work contract (other employees).
• Three months of most recent bank statement for long-time residents. New residents may submit the most recent month but must have a bank letter confirming salary transfer.
• Attested tenancy contract, Emirates ID card, and labour card.
• Marriage certificate that has been attested by UAE authorities (for UAE marriages) or in your home country for spouse sponsorship.
• Passports (original) and copies of both sponsor and family member(s).
• Medical check-up report of spouse or children over 15-years of age from an authorised hospital or clinic.
• Three passport photos per family member.
• Please note that for your family member’s residence visa to remain valid he or she must not be out of the UAE for more than six months. In the case where a Muslim expatriate has married more than one wife, he can only obtain one residence visa.