Company Formation
Establish Your Business in the Heart of the UAE
Establish Your Business in the Heart of the UAE
Establish Your Business in the Heart of the UAE
Trade anywhere in the UAE without restrictions. Access local markets directly. Bid for government contracts. Your mainland company opens every door in the region's most dynamic economy.
Trade anywhere in the UAE without restrictions. Access local markets directly. Bid for government contracts. Your mainland company opens every door in the region's most dynamic economy.
Trade anywhere in the UAE without restrictions. Access local markets directly. Bid for government contracts. Your mainland company opens every door in the region's most dynamic economy.
Why Choose UAE Mainland?
Unlike free zones, mainland companies trade freely across all seven emirates, access the entire local market, and compete for government contracts - without geographical restrictions.
Unlimited Market Access
0% Personal
Income Tax
Unlimited Market Access
Trade with any client across all emirates. No restrictions on where you do business or who you work with.
Trade with any client across all emirates. No restrictions on where you do business or who you work with.
Trade with any client across all emirates. No restrictions on where you do business or who you work with.
100% Foreign Ownership
100% Foreign Ownership
100% Foreign Ownership
Own your business completely. No local sponsor needed for most activities.
Own your business completely. No local sponsor needed for most activities.
Own your business completely. No local sponsor needed for most activities.
Operate Anywhere
Operate Anywhere
Operate Anywhere
Set up shop in prime locations. Dubai Marina, Downtown Abu Dhabi, or wherever your business thrives.
Set up shop in prime locations. Dubai Marina, Downtown Abu Dhabi, or wherever your business thrives.
Set up shop in prime locations. Dubai Marina, Downtown Abu Dhabi, or wherever your business thrives.
Zero Currency Controls
Zero Currency Controls
Zero Currency Controls
Move your money freely. Repatriate profits without limitations.
Move your money freely. Repatriate profits without limitations.
Move your money freely. Repatriate profits without limitations.
Government Contracts
Government Contracts
Government Contracts
Eligible to bid for lucrative government tenders and public sector projects.
Eligible to bid for lucrative government tenders and public sector projects.
Eligible to bid for lucrative government tenders and public sector projects.
Flexible Visa Quotas
Flexible Visa Quotas
Flexible Visa Quotas
Hire the team you need. Visa allocation scales with your business.
Hire the team you need. Visa allocation scales with your business.
Hire the team you need. Visa allocation scales with your business.
Business Structures
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
The go-to for most businesses. Trade, retail, services - if you're doing business in the UAE, this is likely your structure.
Perfect for: Trading, retail, services, consultancy
Shareholders: 2-50 partners
Liability: Limited to share capital
The go-to for most businesses. Trade, retail, services - if you're doing business in the UAE, this is likely your structure.
Perfect for: Trading, retail, services, consultancy
Shareholders: 2-50 partners
Liability: Limited to share capital
The go-to for most businesses. Trade, retail, services - if you're doing business in the UAE, this is likely your structure.
Perfect for: Trading, retail, services, consultancy
Shareholders: 2-50 partners
Liability: Limited to share capital
Civil Company
Civil Company
Civil Company
For licensed professionals. Doctors, lawyers, engineers, consultants - if you need a professional license, this is your route.
Perfect for: Medical, legal, engineering, consultancy
Partners: Must hold relevant qualifications
Focus: Professional services only
For licensed professionals. Doctors, lawyers, engineers, consultants - if you need a professional license, this is your route.
Perfect for: Medical, legal, engineering, consultancy
Partners: Must hold relevant qualifications
Focus: Professional services only
For licensed professionals. Doctors, lawyers, engineers, consultants - if you need a professional license, this is your route.
Perfect for: Medical, legal, engineering, consultancy
Partners: Must hold relevant qualifications
Focus: Professional services only
Branch Office
Branch Office
Branch Office
Extend your global company. Already established abroad? Open your UAE branch without creating a new entity.
Perfect for: International corporations
Control: Parent company maintains full control
Activities: Limited to parent company scope
Extend your global company. Already established abroad? Open your UAE branch without creating a new entity.
Perfect for: International corporations
Control: Parent company maintains full control
Activities: Limited to parent company scope
Extend your global company. Already established abroad? Open your UAE branch without creating a new entity.
Perfect for: International corporations
Control: Parent company maintains full control
Activities: Limited to parent company scope
Representative Office
Representative Office
Representative Office
Test the waters. Research the market, run promotions, build relationships - before committing to full operations.
Perfect for: Market research, business development
Activities: No commercial trading
Purpose: Exploration and promotion only
Test the waters. Research the market, run promotions, build relationships - before committing to full operations.
Perfect for: Market research, business development
Activities: No commercial trading
Purpose: Exploration and promotion only
Test the waters. Research the market, run promotions, build relationships - before committing to full operations.
Perfect for: Market research, business development
Activities: No commercial trading
Purpose: Exploration and promotion only
Mainland by Emirate
Mainland by Emirate
Mainland by Emirate
Got more questions? Send us your enquiry below
Got more questions? Send us your enquiry below
Got more questions? Send us your enquiry below
Dubai Mainland
The business capital. Premium infrastructure, global connectivity, unmatched ecosystem. From tech startups to luxury retail - Dubai is where business happens.
Popular with: Trading, retail, tech, professional services, hospitality
Abu Dhabi Mainland
Government hub, industrial powerhouse. Major projects, energy sector, institutional contracts. Where stability meets opportunity.
Popular with: Energy, construction, industrial, government contractors
Sharjah Mainland
Cost-effective, strategically located. Lower setup costs, competitive rates, easy access to Dubai and northern emirates. Smart choice for growing businesses.
Popular with: Manufacturing, warehousing, industrial, cost-conscious setups
Ajman Mainland
Budget-friendly and efficient. One of the most economical mainland options with simplified procedures. Growing fast with strong trade focus.
Popular with: SMEs, trading, service businesses
Ras Al Khaimah Mainland
Industrial focus, competitive costs. Manufacturing hub with strategic northern location. Strong ceramics, pharma, and quarrying sectors.
Popular with: Manufacturing, industrial production, quarrying
More About Mainland Company Formation
Setup Process
Setup Process
Choose Your Activity
Select from approved business activities. Mix and match to cover everything you do.
Pick Your Structure
LLC, Civil Company, Branch, or Rep Office - we'll help you decide.
Name Approval
Get your company name approved by the economic department.
Initial Approval
Secure regulatory approval for your business activity and structure.
Get Your Space
Find office space and register your Ejari tenancy contract.
External Approvals
Obtain sector-specific approvals if needed (health, education, F&B, etc.).
License Issued
Receive your trade license. You're officially in business.
Get Operational
Open bank account, register with MOHRE, process visas. You're ready to go.
Choose Your Activity
Select from approved business activities. Mix and match to cover everything you do.
Pick Your Structure
LLC, Civil Company, Branch, or Rep Office - we'll help you decide.
Name Approval
Get your company name approved by the economic department.
Initial Approval
Secure regulatory approval for your business activity and structure.
Get Your Space
Find office space and register your Ejari tenancy contract.
External Approvals
Obtain sector-specific approvals if needed (health, education, F&B, etc.).
License Issued
Receive your trade license. You're officially in business.
Get Operational
Open bank account, register with MOHRE, process visas. You're ready to go.
What You'll Need
What You'll Need
Company Setup
Passport copies (shareholders & managers)
Emirates ID or entry stamp
NOC from current sponsor (if applicable)
Photos & proof of address
Tenancy contract (Ejari)
Visa Processing
Valid passport (6+ months)
Photos & medical fitness test
Emirates ID application
Health insurance
Capital Requirements:
Varies by activity. Many sectors need no minimum capital. Some specialised activities require AED 50,000 - 1,000,000+.
Company Setup
Passport copies (shareholders & managers)
Emirates ID or entry stamp
NOC from current sponsor (if applicable)
Photos & proof of address
Tenancy contract (Ejari)
Visa Processing
Valid passport (6+ months)
Photos & medical fitness test
Emirates ID application
Health insurance
Capital Requirements:
Varies by activity. Many sectors need no minimum capital. Some specialised activities require AED 50,000 - 1,000,000+.
FAQs
FAQs
Answering your questions
Answering your questions
Got more questions? Send us your enquiry below
Got more questions? Send us your enquiry below
FAQs
Answering your questions
Got more questions? Send us your enquiry below
Can foreigners own 100% of a mainland company?
Yes! Most business activities now allow full foreign ownership without local sponsors.
Can foreigners own 100% of a mainland company?
Yes! Most business activities now allow full foreign ownership without local sponsors.
Can foreigners own 100% of a mainland company?
Yes! Most business activities now allow full foreign ownership without local sponsors.
Mainland vs Free Zone - what's the difference?
Mainland = trade anywhere in UAE, access local market, government contracts. Free Zone = trading restrictions but 100% ownership and tax perks.
Mainland vs Free Zone - what's the difference?
Mainland = trade anywhere in UAE, access local market, government contracts. Free Zone = trading restrictions but 100% ownership and tax perks.
Mainland vs Free Zone - what's the difference?
Mainland = trade anywhere in UAE, access local market, government contracts. Free Zone = trading restrictions but 100% ownership and tax perks.
Do I need a physical office?
Yes. Your office size determines visa quota and must have valid Ejari registration.
Do I need a physical office?
Yes. Your office size determines visa quota and must have valid Ejari registration.
Do I need a physical office?
Yes. Your office size determines visa quota and must have valid Ejari registration.
Can I have multiple activities under one license?
Absolutely. Combine compatible activities under a single license with department approval.
Can I have multiple activities under one license?
Absolutely. Combine compatible activities under a single license with department approval.
Can I have multiple activities under one license?
Absolutely. Combine compatible activities under a single license with department approval.
How many visas can I get?
Depends on office space and business activity. Bigger space = more visas.
How many visas can I get?
Depends on office space and business activity. Bigger space = more visas.
How many visas can I get?
Depends on office space and business activity. Bigger space = more visas.
What are annual costs?
AED 10,000 - 40,000+ depending on emirate and activities. Includes license renewal, Ejari, chamber membership, and regulatory fees.
What are annual costs?
AED 10,000 - 40,000+ depending on emirate and activities. Includes license renewal, Ejari, chamber membership, and regulatory fees.
What are annual costs?
AED 10,000 - 40,000+ depending on emirate and activities. Includes license renewal, Ejari, chamber membership, and regulatory fees.