Setup Your Company In

Dubai Mainland

A Dubai Mainland license is an onshore company allowing entrepreneurs to conduct business activities inside and outside of the UAE. The trade licenses for mainland companies are issued by Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (DED).

You can register a professional license or commercial license in Dubai Mainland. The trade license issued by DED is considered more premium and allows for the following benefits.

To get a company registered in Dubai, it is not mandatory to have a physical office space and Creative Zone’s co-working DED package would be the perfect solution to get you started.

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Advantages of a
Dubai Mainland License

Freedom to Operate Anywhere

Having no limitations on where you can conduct business is one of the strongest reasons for getting a Dubai Mainland License. UAE mainland companies are allowed to do trade and business within the nation, in any free zones, and outside the country.

Stronger Market Presence

Getting a DED Mainland License gives you the opportunity to open your physical company anywhere in the UAE. This creates a stronger presence, and the freedom and flexibility to expand your company’s branches across the UAE.

Ability to Work with Government Bodies

Companies with Mainland Licenses are allowed to work with government contracts. The UAE government frequently needs specialised contractors for multi-million projects, giving you the opportunity to bid on high-risk, high-return projects.

No Currency Restrictions

There are no currency restrictions under the Dubai Mainland License. Companies are entitled to fully repatriate offshore or onshore bank accounts in the UAE.

No Visa Limitations

UAE mainland companies do not have any restrictions when it comes to expanding their visa quotas under a business license. An additional physical space would be required after a certain point, but it is much easier to scale the business.

Financial Viability

Companies with a Dubai Mainland License enjoy the benefits that Free Zone license companies have. This includes exclusion in paying taxes. It is also very important to note that no minimum capital requirement is required in setting up a company under a Dubai Mainland License.

Explore Monthly
Payment Plans
with Selected Banks

Convert your transactions into easy and affordable monthly instalments with our selected range of banking partners. Spend a minimum of AED 1,000 on your credit card issued from any of our participating banks and repay in easy instalments over a period of 12 months.

Steps

Business Activities
Under Dubai Mainland License

Dubai is considered to be one of the most sought-after business destinations across the world. The ease of setting up a business that comes with numerous lucrative benefits is the primary reason for the continuous influx of investors and entrepreneurs in the UAE.

With diverse options of activities to choose from, Creative Zone will help you choose the best-suited type of activities for your company.

Industrial License

The Industrial License under a Mainland Company allows a business to perform industrial-related activities such as production, segregation, accumulation, and packaging.

This type of license is mostly given to businesses that transform natural materials or resources into goods.

Commercial License

The Commercial License is intended for companies who want to engage in buying and selling of goods, commodities, and other kinds of trade activities within the UAE. A DED Commercial License is also given to general and specialised traders and businesses who engage in retail, construction, and real estate activities.

Professional License

A Professional License is given to a person or a corporation that provides services and practices that rely on skills, talent, and ability. This includes individuals rendering work in the fields of accounting, design, tourism, and other professional services reliant on natural talent, skills, ability, or experience.

Tourism License

There are three forms of licenses in the travel and tourism industry:

Enables a company to manage travel within the city. Enables a company to sell tourist packages not limited to the premises of Dubai. The company that conduct global meetings, conferences, and exhibitions.

Business Structures
Under Dubai Mainland License

Branch Office of Local & Foreign Companies

Companies registered in the UAE or in other countries can establish a branch on the Dubai Mainland. The branch must carry out more than one activity listed on the parent company’s license.

Civil Company

A Civil Company is essentially a partnership business for conducting service-related or professional activities. A Civil Company can have partners of any nationality, but a Local Service Agent (LSA) is needed if the partnership doesn’t include UAE or GCC nationals. Civil Companies are jointly liable for any losses or debts that arise out of the civil partnership.

Single-Person LLC

A Single-Person LLC is a business structure set up and owned by an individual or a corporate body.

Limited Liability Company

A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is composed of 2-50 shareholders. An LLC is the most convenient legal structure for expatriate residents and foreigners to establish a new company in the UAE. Foreign investors are entitled to 100% LLC ownership on selected business activities.

Sole Proprietorship

Foreign nationals can retain 100% foreign ownership in the business
A Local Service Agent (LSA) is required for owners who are not UAE nationals. The LSA supervises license requirements and other government-related matters for the business.
The company can legally practice professional services anywhere in the UAE

Steps in Setting Up a Business in Under Dubai Mainland License

1 Choose your Business Activity and Structure

The first and most important thing to do before setting up a company in Dubai is to choose the right category and nature where your business activity falls. You can choose from over 1,500 business activities in the UAE. Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (DED) is the Governing body that regulates all the legal activities of businesses in Dubai.

2 Register the Company’s Name with DED

Select the name of your company. One must select a business name that does match any other companies in Dubai. After getting an approval, register it with DED. The process usually takes 3 days. City.

3 Apply for Mainland Trade License

After registering your company name, it’s now time to apply for your mainland trade license. There are a few commercial activities that are not permissible according to the DED law. DED is the accountable body to decide, regulate, classify, permit, and license all economic activities. Several documents are required as part of a trade license application. Creative Zone can assist you with this.

4 Get an Office Space or Coworking Space

In the UAE, office spaces are usually owned by third parties. The packages and inclusions can be customised depending on your needs. It is essential to note that the tenancy agreement, Real Estate Regulation Authority (RERA) documents, and EJARI need to be submitted, following with the initial approval that is granted by the DED. An office space is often not mandatory and Creative Zone provides options of coworking spaces which is much more cost-effective.

5 Prepare the Necessary Documents Like Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Article of Association (AoA)

The Memorandum of Association (MoA) is one of the most important documents in setting up a company in Dubai. This document states the information on share of limitations and liberty every partner has within the company. This document should be drafted carefully. The legal experts from Creative Zone can help you in preparing this document.

6 Pay Fees and Collect the License

7 Open a Business Bank Account

The next step after issuing the trade license will be to open a corporate bank account. With modern digital bank account, the whole process has become much easier and usually can be done within a few days. Our team of banking experts will be able to guide you through the whole process.

PACKAGE DETAILS	0 Visa Starting from AED23,000	1 Visa Starting from AED27,500
DED Trade License Payment Voucher	✓	✓
Corporate Sponsorship (Commercial) / Local Service Agent (Professional)	✓	✓
Name Reservation Payment Voucher	✓	✓
Initial Application and Approval	✓	✓
Electronic Memorandum of Association (MOA) / LSA	✓	✓
Notary Fee	✓	✓
Coworking Facility in Dubai	✓	✓
Account Management Team	✓	✓
6 Visa Quota	✓	✓
1 Partner Visa, Inc of Medical Test & EID	✘	✓
Immigration Card	✘	✓

Why Creative Zone?

13 years in Business within the UAE

Assisted over 75,000 entrepreneurs set up companies in the region

Have a global presence with offices in UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar

75% businesses renew their trade licenses with us

95% customer satisfaction rate

4.9 stars in Google ratings

500+ employees to assist you throughout your business journey

22 different languages spoken by our employees

100% transparency in all transactions

50+ awards won over the years

Creates a community for start-ups to network, exchange knowledge, and increase business

Provides and ecosystem of support services for businesses

Meet Our Specialists

Romell Gumbs

Business Development Manager

Calum McLatchie

Senior Business Setup Advisor

Zakary Hynes

Senior Business Setup Advisor

Wenyi Shen

Business Setup Advisor

Our Valued Clients

Testimonials

Creative Zone

4.8 Rating

Based on 1,550+ Google reviews

“I greatly appreciated Harvie and Diane exceptional and professional guidance in assisting me to any aspect I needed. Being with this team since 2011, they never failed to satisfy me providing their high standard customer service. Keep up the good work guys!”

“Creative Zone is the best business service provider in the UAE.All departments especially the Finance department are very flexible and supportive with all clients. I would like to thank Ms.Diane from the finance department for the professional support rendered to us. Thank you Creative Zone.”

“Most professional and accommodating experience I have ever been apart of in Dubai. Fahim is efficient, well informed, saved me from hours and hours of running around Dubai. Amazing experience, well done and thank you! Highly recommended”

Setup Your Company In

Dubai Mainland

Get in touch

Advantages of a Dubai Mainland License

Freedom to Operate Anywhere

Stronger Market Presence

Ability to Work with Government Bodies

No Currency Restrictions

No Visa Limitations

Financial Viability

Explore Monthly Payment Plans with Selected Banks

Steps

Business Activities Under Dubai Mainland License

Industrial License

Commercial License

Professional License

Tourism License

Business Structures Under Dubai Mainland License

Branch Office of Local & Foreign Companies

Civil Company

Single-Person LLC

Limited Liability Company

Sole Proprietorship

Steps in Setting Up a Business in Under Dubai Mainland License

1

Choose your Business Activity and Structure

2

Register the Company’s Name with DED

3

Apply for Mainland Trade License

4

Get an Office Space or Coworking Space

5

Prepare the Necessary Documents Like Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Article of Association (AoA)

6

Pay Fees and Collect the License

7

Open a Business Bank Account

0 Visa

1 Visa

Why Creative Zone?

Meet Our Specialists

Romell Gumbs

Calum McLatchie

Zakary Hynes

Wenyi Shen

Our Valued Clients

Testimonials

Creative Zone

Get in touch

Advantages of a
Dubai Mainland License

Explore Monthly
Payment Plans
with Selected Banks

Business Activities
Under Dubai Mainland License

Business Structures
Under Dubai Mainland License