Start Your Business In The UAE

Mainland Company Setup

About Mainland Company Setup

The mainland refers to the areas outside the free zones in the UAE, and the Department of Economic Development (DED) serves as the regulatory authority responsible for granting mainland licenses. Mainland businesses are permitted to operate without limitations both within the UAE and internationally. It is no longer mandatory to have a local sponsor to obtain a Dubai mainland license for approximately 1000 commercial and industrial activities. This comes with several benefits

Commercial License

A Commercial License is required in the UAE for businesses involved in trading and supplying of goods such as:

Mobile phones & accessories trading
Building material, cleaning and safety equipment trading
Oil & gas, chemicals trading
Automobiles, spare parts trading
Gold & precious metals trading

Industrial License

An Industrial license is required in the UAE for manufacturing or other types of industrial activities such as:

Garments, uniforms manufacturing
Meat, dairy products manufacturing
Animal & birds feed manufacturing, fishing net making
Pastry & sweets manufacturing, mineral water bottling
Fabrics & textiles embroidery, carpets manufacturing

Professional License

A Professional License is required in the UAE for individuals or business groups that deliver expertise as a service to the public such as:

Computer, IT infrastructure consultancies
Insurance, tax, legal consultancies
Marketing consultancies, public relations management
Auditing & accounting
Waste management & recycling consultancy

Mainland Registration Process

1

Choose business activity

2

Choose company structure

3

Get trade name approval

4

Get initial license approval

5

Get external approval (if required)

6

License issuance

7

Open company bank account

8

Get establishment card

9

Labour file

10

Process visa

Benefits of Operating in Mainland

The freedom to lease commercial space in any location,
Conduct a broad range of business activities,
Trade anywhere in the UAE and internationally,
Have complete foreign ownership,

No currency constraints,
Streamlined employment visa processing,
Eligibility to bid on government projects,
Ease of opening a corporate bank account.

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