Mainland company formation
Mainland company formation in Dubai and the northern emirates
A mainland licence lets you trade directly with customers anywhere in the UAE, take on local contracts and choose from the widest range of activities. We handle the application from activity selection to the licence and visas.
Overview
What a mainland company gives you
Mainland companies are licensed by the economic department of the emirate where they operate — the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) in Dubai, the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) or the Ajman Department of Economic Development. They can serve customers across the UAE and abroad, rent premises anywhere in the emirate and sponsor residence visas according to their office space.
Since the Commercial Companies Law reforms, most commercial and industrial activities can be up to 100% foreign-owned. Activities with “strategic impact” — such as banking, insurance, telecoms and defence — still carry conditions, and each emirate decides which activities are open to full foreign ownership.
- Sell directly to UAE customers and government entities
- Widest choice of commercial, professional and industrial activities
- Office anywhere in the emirate
- Visa allocation linked to your office space
At a glance
- Licensing authorityDET (Dubai), SEDD (Sharjah), Ajman DED
- OwnershipUp to 100% foreign for most activities
- Common legal formsLLC, sole establishment, civil company, branch
- OfficeRegistered tenancy contract (Ejari in Dubai)
- Licence typesCommercial, professional, industrial and others
- Corporate Tax9% above AED 375,000 taxable income
Step by step
How we set up your mainland company
Activity & legal form
We match your activities to the official list and choose the right legal form and licence type.
Trade name & initial approval
We reserve the trade name and obtain initial approval from the economic department.
MOA & office
We prepare the memorandum of association and help you secure an office and register the tenancy.
Licence, immigration & labour
Licence issuance, then the establishment card and MoHRE file so the company can sponsor visas.
Documents
What you will typically need
Requirements vary by activity and authority. We send you a confirmed checklist for your case before anything is submitted.
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- UAE residence visa or entry stamp, or Emirates ID, if already in the UAE
- Passport-size photographs
- Three or more proposed trade names
- Description of the planned activities
- Tenancy contract for the office (we can help you find one)
- For corporate shareholders: certificate of incorporation, MOA and board resolution, attested
- No-objection letter from a current UAE sponsor, where applicable
Good to know: to work in another emirate you generally need a branch licence there, and some activities need approval from other authorities (for example health, education or food safety). We flag these early so they do not delay your licence.
FAQs
Mainland formation questions
Is a local sponsor still required on the mainland?
For most activities, no. Foreign investors can hold up to 100% of a mainland company. Some activities of strategic importance still have conditions, and certain professional licences may need a UAE national as a local service agent — a role with no shareholding or management rights. We confirm the position for your activity with the authority.
Can I use a virtual office on the mainland?
Mainland companies are normally required to have a physical office with a registered tenancy contract. Some emirates offer business-centre or instant-licence options for certain activities. Your office size also affects your visa allocation.
Can a mainland company bid for government work?
Mainland companies can contract directly with government entities, usually after completing that entity’s supplier or vendor registration.
How many visas can my mainland company get?
The visa allocation depends mainly on your office space and the immigration and labour authorities’ assessment. We estimate it for your premises before you sign a lease.
Free consultation
Plan your mainland company
Share a few details and a Support Hub consultant will call you back to talk through options, documents and next steps. There is no obligation.
Related services