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Mainland Company Formation in Dubai

Helen and Sons helps you set up your mainland company quickly and correctly. Our team handles trade licenses, legal approvals, and registration with local authorities. We make the process simple and transparent from start to finish. With a mainland company, you can hire staff easily, open offices across the UAE, and bid for government contracts. Get professional support for every step of your business setup.

Want to Know How?

A Mainland company is an onshore legal entity that can operate anywhere in UAE or outside of UAE but requires the approval of the Department of Economic Development (DED), in which the company is incorporated. Along with the mainland company setup application, entrepreneurs will be requested to submit the details of their business activity. Based on the rules and regulations, DED grants approvals for mainland company formation in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Umm al-Qaiwain, Fujairah, Ajman, and Ra’s al-Khaimah.

By giving permission to open a mainland company and proceeding with the approval of mainland employment visa for its employers, DMCC aims to promote and facilitate trade across UAE. A comprehensive range of trade license and commercial license offered by DED under mainland are:

Commercial License
Industrial License
Tourism License
Professional License

The first and foremost requirement to set up a mainland company and obtain a trade license Dubai or trade license Abu Dhabi or trade license in other provinces of UAE is to include at least one UAE national for its formation. The chosen UAE national(s) will act as the local sponsor to your onshore company and are also given the permission to act as shareholder(s) or a local service agent(s). Whatever position the person holds, in the case of a sole proprietorship, civil company, or an onshore branch, he can serve your company, without formally holding any shares. However, LLC company formation in UAE demands a minimum share of 51 percent for its local sponsor(s).

Have a look at some of the advantages of starting a mainland company:

Entrepreneurs can choose from any of the places in the UAE

Unlimited freedom to set up a wide variety of business activities

Equal permission to get a trade license both in UI and outside the Emirates

Different Forms of Mainland Companies in UAE

Sole Proprietorship

A company owned by an individual, who is solely responsible for all the day to day operations of the company is known as Sole Proprietorship.

Limited Liability Companies (LLC)

One of the traditional company structures in the mainland is LLC. The minimum number of shareholders who can invest in an LLC is 2 and the maximum is 50.

Civil Company

A company formed on the basis of a business partnership between professionals with a focus on delivering professional consultancy services is known as a Civil Company. According to DMCC, the professionals who agree to enter into a partnership can be mainly doctors, engineers (except civil engineers), lawyers, accountants etc.

Private Shareholding Company

Also known as private joint-stock company, the minimum number of investors needed to start a private shareholding company is 3. The minimum capital required is AED 2,000,000. Forming a private share holding company brings numerous benefits for company owners as investors are given complete freedom to start any of the industrial, commercial, and professional activities of their choice.

Branch Office

A Branch office can be regarded as an extension office of an already formed mainland company. Offices of any of the foreign companies, Dubai based companies, UAE based companies, GCC based companies, and free zone companies can be a Branch Office.

The Key Highlights Of Mainland Companies In UAE.

  • Each mainland company setup in UAE is completely regulated under Federal Law No( 2) of 2015 AD on commercial companies.
  • The share percentage of expatriates is limited to 49% in their corresponding LLC companies.
  • People belonging to countries in GCC get 100% share in a mainland company.
  • Not every business activities under mainland company license can be owned completely by foreign nationals
  • In the case of professional license, expats, and foreigners can hold the complete ownership of the mainland company, provided that at least one UAE national is appointed as the Service Agent.
  • All mainland companies in UAE are classified as onshore business entities by law.

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Dubai mainland business district — mainland company formation in Dubai with Helen and Sons

Mainland Company Formation in Dubai

Start your business in Dubai mainland with confidence. Our white-glove service handles trade licenses, legal structures, company registration, visas, compliance and banking support from start to finish.

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Free Business Setup Consultation

Talk to a Dubai mainland company formation expert — no obligations.

Onshore Legal Entity

What Is a Mainland Business Setup in Dubai?

A Dubai mainland company is an onshore legal entity registered through the relevant Dubai economic authority. Unlike free zone companies, a mainland business can generally operate anywhere in the UAE and internationally, subject to its licensed activities and regulations.

How to register a mainland business in Dubai? Select your activity and legal structure, reserve a trade name, obtain initial approval, arrange an office, prepare your documents, and apply for the final trade license.

What are the essential steps for registering a new business in Dubai? Select the activity and structure, reserve the name, complete approvals and documents, secure office space, obtain the license, then complete visa, banking, and tax requirements where applicable.

Helen & Sons guides you through the mainland company formation process in Dubai.

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Operate Across the UAE

Trade across the seven Emirates under your approved business activity.

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Employment Visa Eligibility

Apply for employee and investor visas, subject to authority approvals.

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Government Tender Access

Participate in qualifying public-sector tenders and contracts.

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Profit Repatriation

Repatriate capital and profits in line with UAE banking rules.

Types of Business Licenses for Dubai Mainland Company

Dubai mainland licenses are issued according to your proposed business activity. Choose the category that matches your operations.

List of government entities issuing mainland licenses in the UAE? In Dubai, mainland licensing is handled by the Department of Economy and Tourism. Other emirates issue mainland licenses through their respective economic departments, while regulated activities may need additional approvals.

storefront

Commercial License

How do I obtain a trade license for a general trading company in Dubai? Select approved activities, reserve a trade name, obtain initial approval, prepare the documents, and submit the final application.

factory

Industrial License

For manufacturing, production, and industrial operations. Facility, safety, and sector approvals may apply.

travel_explore

Tourism License

For hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, and hospitality ventures that require tourism approval.

work

Professional License

For consultants, freelancers, and skilled service providers, subject to qualification and activity requirements.

Key Advantages of Setting Up a Business in Dubai Mainland

What are the benefits of setting up a mainland company in the UAE? Mainland company formation can offer local-market access, flexible office locations, broad activity options, UAE-wide operations, and eligibility for qualifying government opportunities.

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Flexible Location

Geographic Freedom

Choose a suitable business location in Dubai and operate across the UAE under your licensed activity.

Wide Activity Scope

Broad Business Activities

Choose from a wide range of commercial, professional, industrial, and tourism activities.

Local + Global

UAE and International Markets

Serve the UAE local market while building international business relationships under one company.

Tax Planning

Competitive Tax Environment

Plan your company within the UAE tax framework based on your activity, income, and structure.

Types of Mainland Company Structures in Dubai

Select a legal structure that matches your business model, ownership preferences, and growth plans.

Limited Liability Company (LLC) in Dubai

What are the capital requirements for establishing a mainland company in Dubai? Most LLC activities do not have one fixed statutory minimum capital, although requirements may vary by business activity and authority conditions. An LLC can have 2 to 50 shareholders.

  • check_circle Popular for commercial and trading activities
  • check_circle Liability is generally limited to shareholder capital contributions
  • check_circle Suitable for UAE-wide trading and qualifying tender opportunities
Dubai corporate boardroom — LLC formation Dubai

Sole Proprietorship in Dubai

Owned by one individual who manages business decisions and daily operations, subject to activity and licensing rules.

Key Advantage

Direct ownership and management without partner obligations.

Civil Company in Dubai

Suitable for licensed professional activities, including medical, legal, accounting, engineering, and consulting services.

medical_services Medical Professionals
gavel Legal Experts and Lawyers
engineering Engineers and Architects

Branch Office in Dubai

Expand an existing UAE or foreign company into Dubai through a branch office. A branch generally carries the legal identity of its parent company and can support regional expansion.

Professional business setup team in Dubai

Dubai Mainland Company — Rules & Compliance

Where to find legal support for mainland business compliance in the UAE? Helen & Sons supports company formation, licensing, renewals, visas, compliance documentation, and corporate bank-account preparation.

Pro Tip

Confirm your activity eligibility, ownership position, capital needs, and external approvals before applying.

1

How do I apply for a trade license in Dubai? Select the activity and structure, reserve your name, obtain initial approval, and submit the final application.

2

What documents are required for company formation in Dubai? Prepare passports, approvals, incorporation documents, and office evidence.

3

How to renew a mainland business license online? Use the relevant digital channel after confirming tenancy and clearing requirements.

4

How to open a bank account for a mainland company in the UAE? Submit company documents for KYC and source-of-funds review.

Frequently Asked Questions — Business Setup in Dubai Mainland

Common questions about mainland company formation in Dubai, answered by our business setup experts.

How do I apply for a trade license in Dubai?

Choose an approved activity and legal structure, reserve a trade name, obtain initial approval, arrange a suitable business address, prepare documents, and submit the final license application.

What are the essential steps for registering a new business in Dubai?

Select the activity, jurisdiction, and legal structure; reserve the trade name; obtain approval; prepare documents; arrange office space; apply for the license; and complete visas, banking, and tax requirements where applicable.

What documents are required for company formation in Dubai?

Common documents include passport copies, a reserved trade name, initial approval, a Memorandum of Association where applicable, and an Ejari-registered tenancy contract. Regulated activities may require further approvals.

What are the capital requirements for establishing a mainland company in Dubai?

Most mainland LLCs do not have one fixed statutory minimum share-capital amount. Capital requirements can depend on the selected activity, company structure, and authority-specific conditions.

Can I open a mainland company with 100% foreign ownership?

Yes. Foreign investors can own 100% of a Dubai mainland company for many eligible business activities. Exact ownership rules depend on the activity, legal structure, and sector-specific approvals.

Steps to obtain a business license in a free economic area

Choose the free zone and activity, submit the application to the relevant free-zone authority, select an eligible facility option, provide the required documents, pay the fees, and complete the authority's licensing and visa process.

Ready to Start Your Business in Dubai?

Helen & Sons offers mainland company formation, licensing, documents, visas, banking preparation, renewals, and ongoing compliance support.

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