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Business Setup in Dubai Mainland:
Company Formation Made Simple
Start your company with 100% ownership, full market access, and one team handling everything.
Bestax makes company formation in the Dubai mainland fast, clear, and fully compliant. Our consultants, legal experts, and PRO executives manage every step for you. You focus on the business. We handle the process.
Free consultation No obligation Reply within 30 Mins
- FTA Approved
Tax AgencyNo. 30008692 - Business Setup Partner
for Dubai Free Zones - 10+YEARSof Experience
You Can Count On - out of 5from 200+Google Reviews (opens in a new tab)out of 5from 75+Trustpilot Reviews (opens in a new tab)
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Setup Consultant
Tell us about your business and our formation team will get in touch with you.
Recognition, Accreditations & Partnership
The approvals and registrations behind the work.
IFZA Gold Tier Partner Recognition
Gold Tier Recognition · Elite Loyalty Programme
Accounting Software Experience
Hands-on Experience Across Leading Accounting Platforms
ICAEW Approved Employer
Supporting Professional Training and Development
KIZAD
Business Setup Partner in Abu Dhabi
Meydan Free Zone
Company Formation Partner in Dubai
SHAMS — Sharjah Media City
Business Setup Partner in Sharjah
Sharjah Publishing City
Free Zone Company Formation Partner
Payoneer
Referral Partner for International Payments
Dubai Mainland
Business Setup in Dubai Mainland: What You Need to Know
A mainland company is licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism (formerly DED). It can trade anywhere in the UAE and internationally, with no location limits. Business setup in Dubai gives you direct access to one of the world's most dynamic markets.
Recent reforms changed everything. Under the amended Commercial Companies Law, foreign investors can now own 100% in most sectors. No local sponsor is needed.
100%
Foreign ownership in most sectors
Bestax manages your entire formation, from activity selection to trade license and bank account.
Book a Free 20-Minute Call
2,000+
DET-approved activities
Why Bestax
Why Choose Our Business Setup Consultants in Dubai?
Choosing the right business setup company in Dubai decides how smooth your launch will be.
Our business setup consultants in Dubai bring more than 10 years of hands-on experience. We are FTA-approved tax agents as well as formation specialists. Our Tax Agency Approval Number is 30008692.
The activity code is chosen correctly.
Your DET activity code decides your approvals, your bank file, and your visa quota. We match it to your real business model before anything is filed.
External approvals move faster.
Healthcare, education, real estate, and food each answer to a second regulator. We file with DHA, KHDA, RERA, and Dubai Municipality every month, and we know each one's requirements.
Tax compliance starts at incorporation.
New companies must register for corporate tax within three months of incorporation. We complete it during your setup, so the deadline is never missed.
Free zone expansion is covered.
Under Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025, free zone companies can operate in the mainland. We handle those branch approvals too.
One itemized written quote.
Government fees vary by activity, from AED 12,000 to 30,000. You see every line before you commit, and our fee is fixed.
Our Strength in Numbers
10+
Years of Experience
35+
Professionals
1,000+
Clients
4.9
Google Rating
Our Services
Complete Business Setup Services in Dubai
Our business setup services cover every step, from first call to bank account.
- Business activity consultation across 2,000+ DET-approved activities.
- Activity ideas: opening a digital marketing agency or a typing centre.
- Trade name check and reservation.
- Initial approval application and follow-up.
- MoA and AoA drafting, translation, and notarization.
- Office sourcing and Ejari registration.
- Trade license application and collection.
- External approvals from DHA, KHDA, RERA, and other regulators.
- Establishment card processing.
- Investor and partner visa processing.
- Employee and family visa processing.
- Corporate bank account introductions and support.
- VAT registration with the FTA.
- Corporate tax registration with the FTA.
- Accounting and bookkeeping from day one.
- License renewals with reminders, every year.
Why Choose Business Setup in Dubai Mainland?
100% Foreign Ownership
Most activities now allow full foreign ownership. You keep complete control with no local sponsor.
Trade Anywhere
Operate across Dubai, the UAE, and internationally. No geographic limits apply to mainland licenses.
Access to Government Contracts
Only mainland companies can bid for UAE government tenders. These contracts are worth billions of dirhams yearly.
Unlimited Visa Quotas
Sponsor as many employees as your office space allows. Free zones cap visas by package. The mainland does not.
Easier Banking
UAE banks prefer mainland licenses for corporate accounts. We introduce you to suitable banking partners and support the account opening.
A Friendly Tax Environment
There is no personal income tax. Corporate tax is 9% only on profits above AED 375,000. Small Business Relief can reduce that to zero for revenue up to AED 3 million. We register you and claim every relief you qualify for.
No Minimum Capital
Most structures need no minimum paid-up capital. The barrier to entry stays low.
2,000+ Activities and Stronger Credibility
Choose from over 2,000 approved activities under one license. Banks, suppliers, and government entities also view mainland companies as more credible.
Already in a Free Zone? Expand Your Business Setup in Dubai Mainland
Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025 changed the game for free zone companies. They can now operate in the mainland through a branch or permit. Approvals run through the Department of Economy and Tourism.
We assess your license, secure the approvals, and open your mainland branch. Your free zone benefits stay intact while your market doubles.
Mainland or free zone, compared below
Mainland License Types. We Match You to the Right One.
Commercial Licence
For buying, selling, trading, and import/export activities. Covers general trading, retail, wholesale, and distribution.
Professional Licence
For skill-based services like consultancy, IT, marketing, design, and engineering. It allows 100% foreign ownership for service professionals.
Industrial Licence
For manufacturing and production that turns raw materials into finished goods. It requires industrial space and sometimes Ministry of Industry approval.
Tourism Licence
For travel agencies, tour operators, and hospitality businesses. Issued with approval from Dubai's tourism authority, DTCM.
Ecommerce License
For online selling within and outside the UAE. It lets you sell to UAE customers and use local payment gateways legally.
Not sure which fits? We identify the exact DET activity code for you, free of charge.
Legal Structures: We Help You Pick the Right One.
Limited Liability Company, LLC
The most popular structure for trading, services, and manufacturing. It takes 1 to 50 shareholders with liability limited to share capital. Most activities allow up to 100% foreign ownership.
Sole Establishment
One owner with full control. It suits independent professionals, with a Local Service Agent for some foreign-owned activities.
Civil Company
A partnership for qualified professionals in the same field. Common for clinics, law firms, engineering firms, and consultancies.
Branch of a Foreign Company
An extension of your existing company abroad. The parent keeps full ownership, and activities must match the parent's.
Branch of a UAE Company
Expand an existing UAE entity into Dubai or other emirates under one parent.
We compare structures against your activity, partners, and visa needs before you decide.
Business Setup in Dubai Mainland or Free Zone: Which Is Right for You?
This is the biggest decision in your setup. Here is the honest comparison.
| Feature | Mainland | Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign ownership | 100% for most activities | 100% |
| Trade within the UAE | Unrestricted | Needs a mainland distributor |
| Government contracts | Eligible | Not eligible |
| Visa quota | Based on office size | Fixed by package |
| Office requirement | Ejari registered address | Flexi desk accepted |
| Bank account opening | Easier with major banks | Can be slower |
| Best for | Local trading, retail, services | Export and digital business |
Choose the mainland to sell directly in the UAE, hire freely, and win government work. Choose a free zone for export-focused or fully remote businesses. Still unsure? We assess your model and recommend the cheaper compliant route. For the deeper comparison, read our mainland vs free zone guide.
Our Business Setup Services in Dubai: Step by Step
Simple activities can be licensed within about a week. Most full setups finish within 2 to 4 weeks.
Step 1
Days 1 to 2Choose your activity and structure.
We shortlist from over 2,000 DET-approved activities and match the right legal structure.
Step 2
Days 2 to 3Reserve your trade name.
We check availability and reserve your name through the DET portal. Names cannot copy existing companies or use religious or political terms.
Step 3
Days 3 to 5Get initial approval.
We submit shareholder passports, visa copies, and your activity details to DET. This is the official green light to proceed.
Step 4
Days 5 to 10Secure your office.
Every mainland company needs an Ejari-registered address. Options start from a flexi desk at around AED 5,000 per year. We source the space and register the Ejari for you.
Step 5
Days 7 to 12Draft and notarize legal documents.
We draft your MoA and AoA, arrange translation, and complete notarization.
Step 6
Days 10 to 20Obtain external approvals, if required.
Some activities need extra sign-off. Healthcare goes through DHA, education through KHDA, and real estate through RERA. Food businesses need Dubai Municipality, and finance needs the Central Bank. We manage every approval as part of our PRO service.
Step 7
Days 14 to 20Pay government fees and collect your license.
We submit the final file, pay the fees, and collect your trade license.
Step 8
Days 20 to 30Establishment card, visas, and bank account.
We process your establishment card and investor visa. Employee visas follow, each taking 5 to 10 working days. We also introduce you to banks and support the corporate account opening.
Government Fees and Typical Costs
Government fees vary by activity, structure, and approvals. Typical government costs for a mainland license range from AED 12,000 to AED 30,000. Office costs start around AED 5,000 per year for a flexi desk.
AED 12,000 – 30,000
Typical government cost for a mainland license
AED 5,000 / year
Office costs start around this, for a flexi desk
Looking for low-cost business setup in Dubai? We structure your license to avoid unnecessary fees. We pick the right activity mix, office type, and structure for your budget. All figures are confirmed in a written, itemized quote before you pay anything.
The main components:
- Trade name reservation and initial approval fees.
- MoA notarization charges.
- Trade license issuance fees, based on your activity.
- Dubai Chamber of Commerce membership.
- Establishment card and immigration file fees.
- Visa costs per applicant, including medical and Emirates ID.
Documents We Collect for You
We start with the basics.
- Passport copies of all shareholders. We check validity dates first.
- Visa or entry stamp copies for UAE residents.
- A No Objection Certificate, if a shareholder is employed in the UAE.
- Passport photos and your proposed trade name.
Then we prepare the rest ourselves.
- The notarized MoA and AoA.
- The Ejari tenancy contract.
- Any activity-specific approvals from regulators.
Nothing is submitted until the file is complete. Incomplete files cause most rejections.
More Ways Bestax Supports You
Formation is step one. We keep you compliant and growing after launch.
Accounting and Bookkeeping
We record every dirham that enters or leaves your business. Your books stay organized, balanced, and ready for any audit.
PRO Services
We handle government paperwork, document attestation, and license renewals all year. Your visas and permits never lapse.
VAT Registration Services
We check whether your sales have crossed the VAT registration limit. Then we manage the full FTA application until your TRN arrives.
VAT Consultancy Services
Charge the 5% VAT correctly and reclaim the tax paid on expenses. We handle your regular filings.
Corporate Tax Registration
We register your company with the FTA for the UAE tax on profits. The digital filings are handled for you.
Corporate Tax Consultancy
Understand the 9% rate on profits above AED 375,000. We use exemptions and Small Business Relief, legally, to lower your bill.
What Clients Say About Bestax
We believe our work speaks for itself. Our clients say it louder. Entrepreneurs and established businesses across the UAE trust Bestax to launch their companies right.
Very smooth and efficient service to open a freezone company. Even while sitting in canada. They are great. Highly highly recommend.
Anki SogyRated 5 out of 5 starsGoogle review Maham guided me through the business license renewal process. She even flagged upcoming compliance changes I had no clue about. It’s that extra attention to detail that makes Bestax stand out.
Miguel Souza AlbuquerqueRated 5 out of 5 starsGoogle review Bestax have been managing my accounts for the past 1 year now and I must say they do an amazing job. My tax returns are always on time and I never faced any penalty.
Melvin RossRated 5 out of 5 starsGoogle review
Read these and more on Bestax on Google (opens in a new tab)
Frequently Asked Questions
Book your Free Consultation
If your question is not here, ask it directly.
Yes, every week. A mainland company is licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism, formerly DED. It trades directly in the UAE market and internationally, with no geographic limits. It can also bid for government contracts. We handle the full formation for you.
Yes, for most business activities. The amended Commercial Companies Law removed the local sponsor requirement in most sectors. A few strategic activities still carry ownership conditions, and we flag them upfront.
The code decides which approvals you need, how banks assess you, and what your visa quota allows. Dubai lists over 2,000 activities, and a wrong pick causes problems months later. We match the exact code to your real business before filing.
Simple licenses can be issued within about a week. Most complete setups take 2 to 4 weeks, including approvals and documents. We give you an exact timeline before starting.
Shareholder passports, visa copies, photos, and your proposed trade name. Employed shareholders may need a No Objection Certificate. We prepare the MoA, Ejari, and approvals ourselves.
Yes. Every mainland company needs an Ejari registered address. A flexi desk from around AED 5,000 per year satisfies the requirement for many activities. We source the space and register the Ejari for you.
Yes. Your visa quota depends on your office size. You can sponsor employees, your spouse, and your children. We process every visa for you.
Names fail when they copy existing companies, use religious or political terms, or translate poorly into Arabic. Each rejection costs days. We pre-check your name against DET rules and reserve it once it clears.
Yes. Mainland companies trade anywhere in the UAE and can win government contracts. Free zone companies focus on international trade and need a distributor for the local market. We assess which suits your model and recommend the cheaper compliant route.
Typical government costs run from AED 12,000 to 30,000, depending on activity, structure, and approvals. A flexi desk adds around AED 5,000 per year. We confirm your exact figures in an itemized written quote before you pay anything.