Why Choose Dubai Mainland?
A DED (Department of Economy and Tourism) mainland license lets you operate freely across every emirate, tender for government and semi-government contracts, and place your office anywhere in Dubai — with no restriction on the number of visas you can issue.
Under the UAE's landmark 2021 Commercial Companies Law amendments, most business activities no longer require a UAE national shareholder. Foreign investors can own 100% of their mainland company.
Mainland vs. Free Zone
| Feature | Mainland | Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| UAE Market Access | Full, unrestricted | Limited (requires local agent for mainland sales) |
| Government Contracts | Yes | No |
| Foreign Ownership | 100% (most activities) | 100% |
| Office Location | Anywhere in the UAE | Within the free zone only |
| Visa Quota | Unlimited (linked to office size) | Fixed allocation |
| Corporate Bank Account | Easier approval | Moderate |
| Corporate Tax | 9% on profits > AED 375K | 0% (qualifying income) |
Package: Dubai Mainland All-Inclusive — AED 18,500
Everything included to launch your mainland company:
- Trade name search and DED reservation
- DED initial approval for your business activity
- Memorandum of Association (MOA) drafting and notarization
- Office space sourcing and Ejari registration (tenancy contract)
- Trade license issuance and collection
- Investor visa (1 visa) — entry permit, status change, visa stamping, medical fitness, Emirates ID
- MOHRE registration and WPS setup
- Corporate bank account introduction
Additional visas available at AED 2,500–3,500 per visa (employment package).
Setup Process
Step 1 — Trade Name Reservation
We search DED's database and reserve your preferred company name. Names must comply with DED naming conventions (no offensive terms, no abbreviations of proper names without approval).
Step 2 — Activity Selection & Initial Approval
Choose from over 500+ permitted commercial, professional, and industrial activities. DED issues initial approval before any physical requirements. Some activities require external approvals (DHA for healthcare, KHDA for education, RTA for transport) — we manage all of these.
Step 3 — Memorandum of Association
Our legal team drafts and notarizes your MOA at a Dubai notary public. For single-shareholder companies, a Local Service Agent (LSA) agreement may be required for certain professional activities.
Step 4 — Office & Ejari
DED requires a physical tenancy contract registered on the Ejari system. We help you find suitable commercial space — from executive offices to shared desks — and complete the Ejari registration on your behalf.
Step 5 — License Issuance
We submit all final documents to DED and collect your trade license — typically within 3–5 working days of submission.
Step 6 — Visas, Banking & Compliance
Investor visa processing, Emirates ID enrollment, MOHRE registration, and bank account introduction follow license issuance.
Business Activities We Commonly License
Commercial: General trading, import/export, retail, e-commerce, F&B, real estate brokerage Professional: Consulting, IT services, engineering, marketing, HR, management advisory Industrial: Manufacturing, light industry, food processing, packaging Regulated: Healthcare, financial services, education (external approvals required)
Annual Renewal
Mainland DED licenses must be renewed annually. Our renewal service (AED 8,500) includes compliance verification, Ejari renewal, outstanding fees, and new license delivery. We send renewal reminders at 60, 30, and 14 days before expiry.
DED late renewal fine: AED 250 per month — avoid with our proactive renewal management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a UAE local partner? No — for most commercial and professional activities, 100% foreign ownership is permitted since 2021. A small number of strategically sensitive activities still require Emirati ownership — we advise if your activity falls in this category.
What is the minimum share capital? No mandatory minimum for most LLC and sole establishments. Financial services and regulated activities may require specific paid-up capital.
Can I have multiple activities on one license? Yes — DED allows multiple activities on a single license. Some activity combinations require additional approvals.
How many visas can I get? Visa quota is determined by your office space — typically 1 visa per 9–10 sq m. There is no hard upper limit for mainland licenses.
Office 225, Oud Metha Offices, Dubai Healthcare City +971 50 380 7565 | support@hashmibusinessconsultant.com