How to set up a Dubai mainland company: 5 steps (2026)

A Dubai mainland company can sell directly to customers anywhere in the UAE and open shops, offices and branches. This guide walks through the five steps to get your licence from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), and what to do once you have it. Every step is based on official UAE and Dubai government sources, linked below each section.

Quick answer

• Who issues the licence: the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), formerly the Department of Economic Development (DED). A “DED licence” and a “DET licence” mean the same thing.
• Apply online: trade name, initial approval and licence through Invest in Dubai.
• You need: premises in Dubai with a lease registered on Ejari, and an attested MOA if you set up a company such as an LLC.
• Cost: DET licence fees depend on your activity, legal form and premises. Confirm the current fees with DET before you pay.

Who issues mainland licences in Dubai?

Mainland means every part of Dubai outside the free zones. Mainland companies are registered and licensed by DET. DET was formed in November 2021, when Dubai Economy (the former Department of Economic Development, or DED) merged with Dubai Tourism.

Source: Dubai Government, dubai.ae.

Step 1: Choose your activity, licence type and legal form

Your business activity decides the licence type: commercial, professional, industrial, e-trader (for home-based online sellers) or dual (for some free zone companies). Then pick a legal form that fits the activity, such as a limited liability company (LLC), sole proprietorship or civil company.

• Most activities allow 100% foreign ownership. Some strategic activities need an Emirati partner, so check your activity first.
• Some activities need approval from another authority (see step 5). Check this before you start.

Source: dubai.ae, u.ae.

Step 2: Reserve your trade name and get initial approval from DET

Initial approval means DET has no objection to your business. It lets you move on to the next steps, but it does not let you start trading yet. You can reserve your trade name before or after the initial approval.

• Usual documents: passport or Emirates ID copy, a copy of your residence visa (if you have one) and the company’s articles of association.
• The trade name must end with the legal form (such as LLC), fit your activity, not be registered already and not include religious or government names.
• Foreign documents (for example a parent company’s papers for a branch) must be attested in the home country and in the UAE, and legally translated into Arabic.

Source: dubai.ae, u.ae.

Step 3: Sign your Memorandum of Association (MOA)

The MOA is the company’s founding document: it says who owns the company and each partner’s share. It is needed for LLCs and other company forms, and is prepared and attested by a UAE notary public, court or law firm.

• Businesses fully owned by non-GCC nationals that need a local service agent (for example some professional licences) also sign a service agent agreement, attested by a notary. Confirm with DET whether this applies to you.

Source: u.ae.

Step 4: Rent premises and register the lease on Ejari

Every mainland business needs a physical address that meets DET and Dubai Municipality rules. In Dubai, the tenancy contract must be registered on Ejari, the Dubai Land Department’s system.

• Ejari registration fee, as published by the Dubai Land Department: AED 177.75 through the Dubai REST app or website, or AED 220 at a Real Estate Services Trustee Centre. The rent itself is extra.
• The type and size of premises you need can depend on your activity and on how many visas you want.

Source: u.ae, Dubai Land Department.

Step 5: Get any extra approvals, pay and collect your licence

Some activities need approval from another authority first, for example telecoms, financial services, travel agencies, transport, recruitment, media and publishing. Then submit your initial approval, attested MOA, registered lease and any extra approvals to DET.

• You must pay within 30 days of receiving the payment voucher, or the application is cancelled.
• DET licence fees depend on your activity, legal form and premises, so there is no single price. Confirm the current fees with DET before you pay, or ask for an itemised quote that lists every government fee.

Source: u.ae, dubai.ae.

After you get your licence

• Open your company file for visas and staff. Before you can sponsor visas or hire, the company needs an establishment card from Dubai’s residency department (GDRFA) and a file with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). MOHRE may ask for a refundable AED 3,000 bank guarantee for each employee. (u.ae, GDRFA Dubai)
• Register for corporate tax within 3 months. Companies set up on or after 1 March 2024 must register with the Federal Tax Authority within three months of being established. (Federal Tax Authority)
• Register for VAT when you reach the threshold. VAT registration is required once your taxable sales and imports go over AED 375,000 in 12 months. (Federal Tax Authority)
• Open a business bank account. Banks open accounts for mainland companies case by case and usually ask for the licence, MOA and lease. Compare business bank accounts.
• Renew every year. Your trade licence is renewed every year with DET. Keep your lease and Ejari registration valid, as it is usually needed for the renewal. Confirm the renewal requirements with DET.

Not sure mainland is right? A free zone can cost less if your customers are online or abroad. Compare Dubai free zones or read about Dubai mainland.

Rules and fees change. Checked 7 November 2026 from official government sources. Always confirm with the authority before you pay.