Dubai Mainland Company Formation: Key Things to Know
Gone are the decades that the UAE has cemented its economy to escalate international business opportunities in various sectors. The Emirati government has been taking favorable measures and is acting more flexibly towards ex-pats across the map. Amendments have also been implemented to mainland incorporation making Dubai mainland an ideal place for setting up your business. A mainland company is an onshore company that is licensed by the Dubai Economic
Department (DED) of the Emirate in which an investor chooses to start the business. The mainland formations are tied to a certain set of business activities including industrial, trading, professional, commercial, and tourism which are included as per DED’s business regulations.
Perks of Dubai Mainland Company Formation
- Flexible and adaptable business opportunities across all emirates and outside the
nation - Requires no minimum capital requirement
- Ability to expand trade internationally
- Able to do legal business contracts with the government entities
- Ability to diversify business offerings and vast investment opportunities
- Painless product approvals
- Permitted to own or rent a physical office
- Easy availability of loans
- Unlimited visa availability for employees irrespective of the office size
- 100% tax-free income
- 100% foreign ownership (depending on the business entity)
Types of Business Licenses Allowed in Dubai Mainland
A trade license is compulsory when it comes to business in the UAE. The Economic department of each emirate issues different licenses for various businesses. Here are the licenses you may require for mainland formations.
Commercial License
Commercial licenses are given to businesses that conduct any type of commercial trade activities related to goods, services, and commodities. This license can be used for specialized and general trading activities in the UAE. You can select the type of
commercial license according to the business you are dealing with. You’ll need a commercial license for;
- Retail companies
- Construction companies
- Healthcare businesses
- Real estate brokerage
- Logistic businesses
Industrial license
Industrial or manufacturing activities in the UAE are done through owning an industrial license. This allows one to incorporate in converting natural products or resources to their end products. Additional approvals from the respective departments will also be needed along with an industrial license.Industrial license is compulsory for;
- Food processing business
- Textile industry
- Petroleum industry
- Metal industry
- Paper industry
- Equipment and engine industry
Professional license
With a professional license, investors can do business in their field of proficiency or be able to do a profession according to their educational qualifications. With a professional license, foreign investors can enjoy 100% ownership, but still, they need to appoint a UAE national as a local sponsor. Some of the businesses that need a professional license are,
- Consultancy services
- Artistry
- Carpentry
- Printing and publishing services
- Beauty saloon
- Medical services
- Computer and graphic designing services
- Repair services
- Security services
Tourism License
Conducting tourism activities in the UAE needs a tourism license. The services include;
- Hotel management
- Hotel renting
- Tourist camps
- Cruise boat rentals
- Guesthouses
- Travel agencies
Documents Required for Business Setup in Dubai Mainland
Here are some of the documents which will be required for mainland company formation in the UAE. This is an estimated list and may differ according to the requirement of the respective authority.
- License Application
- Attested LLC agreement
- Required governmental forms
- Name reservation and initial approval certificates
- External departments approval
- Tenancy contract
- EJARI registration certificate
- Copy of NOC for partners
- Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry Registration
Dubai Mainland Company formation through AL Arabiya
We are registered agents in providing complete solutions for investors for starting their company in the UAE. Our experienced business consultants are always available to
clear the legal formalities at the earliest. Contact us for more details.