UAE mainland company formation
Trade Across the UAE.
Own Your Company Fully.
Build With Confidence.
Mainland company formation for businesses that serve customers across the Emirates, with licensing, office, residency and banking planned together.
Why mainland
Choose mainland when
your customers are here.
A mainland licence from Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) lets your company trade directly with customers anywhere in the UAE, take on local premises and bid for government work.
Compare Mainland and Free Zone →Trade.
Hire.
Contract.
Grow.
Built for the local market
Mainland suits businesses that operate onshore.
We confirm the right legal form and activity before you apply.
Service Businesses
Serving UAE clients directly
Retail & Hospitality
Premises open to customers
Contracting
Projects and government tenders
Growing Teams
Larger local hiring plans
Our mainland solutions
From your first licence
to a fully operating company.
- 01
UAE Business Launch
For founders establishing a mainland company.
- Activity and legal form
- Trade name and approvals
- Office and tenancy guidance
- Licence issuance
- Investor visa
- Bank account preparation
- 02
UAE Business Plus
For owners who want ongoing support after establishment.
- Everything in Launch
- Employee and family visas
- PRO services
- Accounting and tax coordination
- Renewals and amendments
- 03
Branch or Subsidiary
For existing companies adding a UAE presence.
- Branch vs new company review
- Parent-company documents and attestation
- Licensing and approvals
- Manager visas
- Banking coordination
Ownership & requirements
Full foreign ownership.For most activities.
Since 2021, foreign investors can own 100% of a mainland company for most commercial and industrial activities. A short list of strategic activities still has conditions, and some activities need approval from another authority.
Check Your Activity →- Business Activity
- Legal Form
- Ownership
- External Approvals
- Office Space
- Visa Allowance
- Labour Registration
- Budget
One relationship
Your mainland company is
the start of the journey.
After licensing come visas, banking, tax registration, renewals and amendments. CTG manages them in sequence with one team.
The CTG approach
A structured path onto the mainland.
Step 1: Understand
Your customers, activities, shareholders and hiring plans.
Step 2: Advise
The legal form, activity, office and visa plan, in writing.
Step 3: Establish
Trade name, approvals, tenancy and licence issuance.
Step 4: Activate
Establishment card, visas, bank file and tax registration.
Step 5: Support
Renewals, amendments and growth as your team expands.
Plan ahead
Mainland brings access, and obligations.
Mainland companies give direct access to the UAE market. They also need office space with a registered tenancy and more ongoing administration than a basic free-zone company.
Office Space
Size affects visa allowance
Approvals
Some activities need extra permits
Running Costs
Rent and renewals to budget
Compliance
Labour and immigration duties
Common questions
Mainland setup,
answered.
Do I need a local partner?
For most activities, no. A few strategic activities still have ownership conditions. We confirm the position for yours.
Can I open a branch of my existing company?
Yes. A branch has different liability, banking and tax implications from a new company, which we explain in your recommendation.
How long does it take?
It depends on your activity, approvals and office. You'll receive a step-by-step timeline after your assessment. [NEED: typical ranges]
Mainland insights
Make informed decisions before you establish.
Begin your UAE strategy
Planning a mainland company in Dubai?
Tell us about your business and your customers. We'll recommend the right legal form, activity and office.
PrivateStructuredAdvisor-Led