
Business Setup in Dubai Main Land
Company formation in Dubai mainland can be a long and tiring process. Extensive paperwork and running after business consultants can take a toll on your mental and physical health. However, business setup in the UAE Mainland especially for business setup in Dubai Mainland with Evergreen can save you time and energy. We have gathered all the necessary information to help make it happen for your business!
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What is a Mainland Company
Every organization dreams of being a profitable institution with its business spread across different countries. There are a number of parameters that each business head considers while taking the prudent decision of expanding or establishing themselves in a new environment. And that is fair! We at Evergreen Businessmen Services help these companies to take the decision to settle and grow in the UAE!
Why Setting Up a Mainland Company in Dubai Is the Best?
When it comes to the many economic zones, new businesses can be set up in Dubai, the
Emirates can be divided as:
● Free Zone Companies
● Mainland Companies
● Offshore Companies
The Department of Economic Development allows the registration of a Mainland Company in
Dubai. These are basically onshore companies. They provide the investors more flexibility in
terms of business expansion by enabling the investors to:
● Open new office space or warehouses with ease
● Hire more employees
● Work with Government project
Why Trust Us for Business Setup in Dubai Mainland?
We help you choose the right business activity and a legal form of business, as these are the
prerequisites for a Mainland Business Setup in the UAE. The business forms are Single owner
company, partnership, corporation, and LLC. Broadly, the business licenses in UAE are
categorized into the following:
A Commercial License: It covers all kinds of trading activities
● A Professional License: It covers craftsmen, specialized professional services, and artisans.
● An Industrial License: It is for establishing manufacturing or industrial activity.
Key Benefits of Business Setup in Dubai Mainland
- Access to a Larger Market: Operating in the mainland provides access to a broader market within Dubai and the entire United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- Diverse Business Activities: Mainland companies can engage in a wide range of business activities, allowing flexibility for companies like yours, Evergreen Businessmen Services, to explore various sectors.
- No Location Restrictions: Unlike freezones, mainland companies can establish their offices anywhere in Dubai without restrictions on the location of their business activities.
- Government Contracts: Mainland companies can bid for government contracts, opening up opportunities to work on projects with both government entities and private businesses.
- Flexibility in Hiring: Mainland companies have more flexibility in hiring employees, allowing you to build a diverse workforce with both local and international talent.
- No Minimum Capital Requirements: Generally, mainland companies in Dubai do not have specific minimum capital requirements, providing more flexibility for business owners.
- Various Legal Structures: Mainland companies can choose from different legal structures, such as Limited Liability Company (LLC), providing options to structure the business according to specific needs.
- Engagement with Local Agents: Mainland companies can engage with local agents, facilitating business activities, partnerships, and collaborations with local entities.
- Access to Dubai’s Economic Ecosystem: Being in the mainland allows your company to be part of Dubai’s vibrant economic ecosystem, fostering connections and collaborations with other businesses and industries.
- Potential for Future Expansion: Mainland companies have the advantage of seamless expansion within the UAE and beyond, providing opportunities for strategic growth.
Detailed Checklist for Business Setup in Dubai Mainland
Every new business setup should be a well-planned process. And a checklist helps us achieve the goal! Below is the checklist that would help you to business setup in Mainland Dubai:
- Choose your business activity: Department of Economic Development (DED) allows 2000+ activities to be performed by mainland businesses
- Selecting the ideal location: Based on the business activity, it is essential to choose a place that would benefit you. For e.g., for an import-export business setting up near the ports is the right decision.
- Determine your business’s legal structure: As stated above there are types of legal structure, commercial, professional, and industrial. Each license has its own set of rules and regulations.
- Obtain a local sponsor or service agent: If you want to register for a commercial or industrial license then a local sponsor is required. The sponsor would hold 51% of the business owner.
- Name for your company: Shakespeare has said – What’s in a name? But a business name is crucial since it is the brand identity, and the consumers would recognize the company and services based on it. Hence, the selection of an apt name is the most important task for any business or owner!
- Application for mainland trade license: Once you are sure about the type of business, location, and legal structure, the next step is to apply for a mainland trade license with DED.
- Select an office space: You can set up an office only once you have obtained the trade license. One of the major benefits of having an office on the mainland is – the offices are usually owned and maintained by a third party. This means all you must do is move in immediately and start building your empire! If you are someone who has a specific vision for your office, you also have options that allow you full fit-out and decoration done as per your need
- Apply for relevant visas: Getting the correct visa is crucial and depending on the nature of the business and the people involved the number of visas required changes. Did you know as a foreign investor you are also entitled to a 3 years investment visa that allows you and your family the right to live and work in the UAE?
Hire a Business Setup Consultant Though business setup in Dubai mainland is an easy and quick process as compared to other locations, it is better to let the experts like Evergreen Businessmen Services be involved. This allows you to breathe easily and focus on your activities rather than running around in circles or haphazardly to complete the process.
Key Highlights of Business Setup in Dubai Free Zone
- Access to a Larger Market: Operating in the mainland provides access to a broader market within Dubai and the entire United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- Diverse Business Activities: Mainland companies can engage in a wide range of business activities, allowing flexibility for companies like yours, Evergreen Businessmen Services, to explore various sectors.
- No Location Restrictions: Unlike freezones, mainland companies can establish their offices anywhere in Dubai without restrictions on the location of their business activities.
- Government Contracts: Mainland companies can bid for government contracts, opening up opportunities to work on projects with both government entities and private businesses.
- Flexibility in Hiring: Mainland companies have more flexibility in hiring employees, allowing you to build a diverse workforce with both local and international talent.
- No Minimum Capital Requirements: Generally, mainland companies in Dubai do not have specific minimum capital requirements, providing more flexibility for business owners.
- Various Legal Structures: Mainland companies can choose from different legal structures, such as Limited Liability Company (LLC), providing options to structure the business according to specific needs
- Potential for Future Expansion: Mainland companies have the advantage of seamless expansion within the UAE and beyond, providing opportunities for strategic growth.
- Access to Dubai’s Economic Ecosystem: Being in the mainland allows your company to be part of Dubai’s vibrant economic ecosystem, fostering connections and collaborations with other businesses and industries
- Engagement with Local Agents: Mainland companies can engage with local agents, facilitating business activities, partnerships, and collaborations with local entities.
Documents Required for Mainland Business Incorporation
To make your life and research simple, we are sharing a list of documents required for the incorporation of business in Mainland Dubai. They are
- Application for registration and license along with the proof of tentative reserved trade name
- Photocopy of applicant’s passport, residence permit/visa details for non-gcc nationals
- No objection letter from the applicant’s current sponsor for non-gcc nationals
- Photocopy of the director’s passport, and no-objection letter from the director’s sponsor
- For applicants under 21 years, permission from the court to practice business is required
- Approval issued by other government authorities according to the type of activity
- Board resolution (if the partner is an existing corporate entity) receipt of initial approval with all the documents submitted for initial approval
- Photocopy of the office lease
- Photocopy of the memorandum of association duly signed by the notary public
Frequently Asked Questions About Business Setup in Dubai Mainland
Can I still fully control my business if I have a local partner?
Yes, even if you have a local partner with a 51% share in your company, you can fully control your business. Want to know how? Contact the experts at Evergreen Businessmen Setup Services now!
Can I buy properties in Dubai if I have a company on the mainland?
Yes, you can buy properties in Dubai if you have a company on the mainland registered with DED. Want to know more? Contact the experts at Evergreen Businessmen Services now!
Can I 100% own a company in the mainland?
Yes, you can own a company in the mainland in dubai 100% on your name. If you’d like more information, feel free to contact the experts at Evergreen Businessmen Services now!

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