A Dubai mainland licence permits trading anywhere in the UAE, direct sales to the local market, and bidding for government contracts, with 100% foreign ownership on most activities. Cressford Chartered Accountants handles the full setup: activity selection, DET (formerly DED) approvals, documentation, licensing and bank account support, with the accounting and tax foundation built in from day one, so the company is structured correctly for VAT and corporate tax from the outset.
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A mainland licence confers the widest operating freedom in the UAE:
Direct sales to the local market with no geographic restriction, something a free zone company cannot do without a distributor or mainland branch.
Only mainland companies may contract directly with UAE government and semi-government bodies.
Available on the substantial majority of commercial and professional activities since the 2021 reforms.
Premises or branches may be opened anywhere in Dubai, with employee visa quotas tied to office size.
Uncertain which fits? A direct recommendation is given based on who the customers are.
Freezone Setup →DET issues four categories of mainland licence. The correct one depends on the activity, and it is confirmed before anything is filed:
For most businesses, no. The 2021 amendments to the Commercial Companies Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021) removed the former 51% Emirati-partner rule, and 100% foreign ownership is now the norm across most commercial, professional and industrial activities. Two points warrant attention:
A narrow band of activities, certain security, defence and resource-related sectors, still requires Emirati participation.
An LSA is an administrative liaison with no equity and no control over the business, for a fixed annual fee, not a shareholder.
Most agencies form the company and move on. Here the company is set up and then its books, VAT and corporate tax are run, so it is structured correctly for tax from the very first invoice.
Licensing, banking introduction and tax registration handled by the same people; nothing falls between a setup agent and an accountant.
The structure recommended is the one that is right for the client, not the one easiest to sell, with the whole cost quoted in advance.
Office 2514, DAMAC Smart Heights, Barsha Heights (Tecom), Dubai. Engagements conducted in person or fully remotely.
For most activities, no. Since the 2021 amendments to the Commercial Companies Law, 100% foreign ownership is the norm. A narrow strategic-impact list retains conditions, and some professional setups use a Local Service Agent, an administrative liaison with no equity.
Yes, on the substantial majority of commercial, professional and industrial activities under Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021. The position for the specific activity is confirmed before filing.
It turns on who the customers are. Direct trade with the UAE market and government contracts require mainland; a free zone suits international or intra-zone business and can offer 0% corporate tax where QFZP conditions are met.
For most LLCs, no general minimum applies; the capital must simply be adequate for the business and is stated in the MOA.
It depends on the activity, licence type, office, approvals and visas. A full, itemised quotation is provided in advance so the complete cost is known before anything is filed.
The trade licence is often issued within one to two weeks for straightforward activities; the full setup, including establishment card, bank account and visas, typically runs three to six weeks.
Yes, a mainland licence requires physical premises with Ejari registration, and the office size also determines the employee visa quota. Guidance on suitable options is part of the engagement.
Licensing, banking and tax registration handled by one team, quoted in advance.