Mainland company setup in Dubai, with full UAE market access.
Register a Dubai Mainland company under DED, trade anywhere in the UAE — including government contracts — and keep 100% ownership on most activities. We handle the full process while you run your business from India.
Get your Mainland quote
Fixed pricing, no hidden fees. Our India desk replies within one business day.
What is a Mainland company?
A Mainland company is registered directly with the Department of Economy and Tourism (DED) of the emirate you choose — most commonly Dubai — rather than a free zone authority. This gives it the broadest possible reach: it can trade anywhere in the UAE, take on government contracts, and open branches across emirates without restriction.
Following UAE Commercial Companies Law reforms, most mainland activities now allow 100% foreign ownership — no local Emirati partner required. For Indian entrepreneurs who need to sell directly to UAE customers, open a retail outlet, or bid for government work, Mainland is usually the right structure.
Benefits of a Dubai Mainland company.
What makes Mainland the right choice when you need to reach the whole UAE market.
100% Ownership, Most Activities
No local Emirati partner required for the vast majority of commercial and professional activities.
Full UAE Market Access
Trade with customers anywhere in the UAE — not limited to a free zone or international clients.
Government Contracts
Mainland companies are eligible to bid for UAE government tenders and public sector work.
No Currency Restrictions
Move capital and profits freely, with full repatriation and no foreign exchange controls.
2000+ Licensable Activities
The widest activity list of any UAE jurisdiction, across trading, services, industry and retail.
Scalable Visa Quota
Visa allocation grows with your office size, so you can scale your UAE team as you grow.
Choose the Mainland licence that matches your activity.
Commercial Licence
General and specialised trading of goods across the UAE.
Professional Licence
Consultancy, IT, marketing and other service-based activities.
Industrial Licence
Manufacturing, processing and assembly operations.
Tourism Licence
Travel agencies, tour operators and hospitality services.
E-commerce Licence
Sell directly to UAE consumers online, under a mainland entity.
Compare Mainland setup across emirates.
| Emirate / Authority | Starting Cost | Office Requirement | Approval Authority | Setup Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai (DED)Popular | AED 15,000 | Physical office required | Dubai DET | 4–8 days | Trading, retail, consultancy, government work |
| Abu Dhabi (ADDED) | AED 16,500 | Physical office required | Abu Dhabi DED | 5–9 days | Government contracts, corporates |
| Sharjah (SEDD) | AED 13,500 | Physical office required | Sharjah DED | 4–8 days | Industrial, trading, budget setups |
| Ajman (DED) | AED 12,000 | Physical office required | Ajman DED | 4–7 days | Budget mainland setups |
| Ras Al Khaimah (RAK DED) | AED 12,500 | Physical office required | RAK DED | 4–7 days | Industrial, trading |
| Fujairah (DED) | AED 13,000 | Physical office required | Fujairah DED | 4–7 days | Port-linked trading, industrial |
*Indicative starting costs in AED for a single-office, single-visa setup; final pricing depends on activity, office size and visa count. We confirm an exact, itemised quote before you commit.
Not sure if Mainland is right for you? We’ll help you decide, free.
Mainland vs. Free Zone vs. Offshore.
| Factor | Mainland | Free Zone | Offshore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership | 100%* | 100% | 100% |
| UAE Market Access | Full | Limited | Not permitted |
| Office Requirement | Physical required | Flexi-desk OK | Not required |
| Corporate Tax | 9% above AED 375k profit | 0% on qualifying income | 0% |
| Setup Time | 4–10 days | 2–5 days | 3–5 days |
*100% mainland ownership applies to most activities under current UAE Commercial Companies Law; a few strategic sectors still require a local partner or service agent.
Documents you’ll need.
- ✓Passport copy of all shareholders (valid for 6+ months)
- ✓Passport-size photograph, white background
- ✓3 proposed trade name options for approval
- ✓Business activity selection from the DED activity list
- ✓Shareholding split between partners, if any
- ✓Office tenancy (Ejari) — we help you arrange this
- ✓Visa requirement — how many, and for whom
- ✓Contact details — email and Indian mobile number
Is a Mainland company right for you?
Retail & F&B Outlets
Businesses needing a physical shop, showroom or restaurant open to UAE walk-in customers.
Government Suppliers
Companies bidding for UAE government tenders and public sector contracts.
UAE-wide Distributors
Traders who need to sell directly across all seven emirates without restriction.
Service Providers Scaling Up
Consultancies and agencies outgrowing a free zone’s local-market limits.
Mainland company setup — questions Indian founders ask.
Ready to register your Mainland company? Let’s talk.
Or WhatsApp us directly at +971 50 864 3999 for a same-day response.