Our emirate attracts business owners and first-time entrepreneurs from every corner of the world, drawn largely by our thriving business community and attractive tax rate. When starting up out here, most are faced with two common options – free zone company formation or mainland company formation in Dubai.
There are benefits to both, and the one that’s right for you and your business will depend on your location and intended activities. In this article, I’ll cover the features and advantages of mainland company formation in Dubai, UAE
Table Of Contents
- Benefits of a mainland company setup in Dubai
- Steps to register a mainland company
- Documents needed for mainland company formation in Dubai
- Dubai mainland company formation cost
So, if you’re interested in relocating an existing business or starting a new venture in the Dubai mainland, keep on reading.
Benefits of a mainland company setup in Dubai
Mainland companies have several unique features that set them apart from their mainland counterparts. For one, mainland companies are free to set up anywhere in Dubai and can trade freely with the local market. In most cases, mainland companies can also be owned 100% by overseas entrepreneurs.
Other freedoms afforded to mainland companies are the ability to take on government contracts and the option to apply for unlimited employee visas depending on company size. Mainland companies in Dubai also have more business activity options and fewer nationality restrictions in ownership and visas compared to other jurisdictions.
Steps to register a mainland company in UAE
Before starting the process of applying for a mainland license in Dubai, it pays to seek out the services of a local business expert such as Creative Zone.
After a short, no-obligation consultation, we can help you gain a full understanding of the company formation process, manage all applications on your behalf, and guide you through the following process.
Step 1 – Outline your business activities
One of the first and most important steps when starting a business in Dubai is choosing your business activities. There are over 2,000 published by the Dubai Department of Economic Development so you are sure to find one or more that fits the bill.
Step 2 – Choose and register a trade name
Next, we will help you choose and register your trade name. There are a couple of additional factors to keep in mind here. Most importantly, your name cannot be similar to any other business, and it must not be offensive or blasphemous.
Step 3 – Submit license application
Now it is time to apply for your license. The type that you will require depends on the business activities determined in step one. There are a few common options here. You can apply for:
- Professional License – For the provision of non-physical services such as consultancy
- Commercial License – For the provision of physical services or trading activities
- Industrial License – For the provision of manufacturing and related activities
- General Trading License – For trading all manner of unrelated goods under a single license
Step 4 – Obtain your residency visa
You’ll also need a UAE visa to operate a mainland business in Dubai. Once again, Creative Zone can assist with this process. We can also help you apply for visas for your company employees, dependents, and domestic staff such as housekeepers or drivers.
Documents needed for mainland company formation in Dubai
When making your application, you will need to submit a completed form, an outline of your business activities, and some or all of the following documents:
- Proof of ID and address for directors and shareholders
- Passport copies for shareholders and directors
- Copy of trade name confirmation
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Articles of Association (AOA)
Dubai mainland company formation cost
When you form your business with Creative Zone, the Dubai mainland company license cost starts from just AED 23,000. You can even apply with one of our cashflow-friendly payment plans which can reduce costs to as little as AED 1,917 per month.
Our mainland license package plans include:
- Dubai Mainland Trade License
- Allocation of Six Visas
- Corporate Sponsorship / Local Service Agent (if required)
- Premium Office Address at Downtown Dubai
- Name Reservation Payment Voucher
- Documentation Services
- Visa + Eid + Medical (depending on package)
- Dedicated Account Manager
For a detailed and personalized quote, get in touch with the expert team at Creative Zone to arrange a free consultation.
Start your Dubai mainland business with Creative Zone
All businesses require a license to trade in the UAE. And while the steps required are not too complicated, a certain amount of prior knowledge is required. Specifically, it is vital to ensure that your applications for your business license and visa are all completely free from mistakes.
This can be somewhat stressful, so as we have advised throughout this article, the fast track to getting up and running is through working with a company formation specialist.
Here at Creative Zone, we offer you the best solutions to start your company in Dubai, UAE. You get fast, reliable, and unbiased advice on your unique business setup requirements. We can help you choose the right kind of license for your business activity and take you through the entire process from start to finish.
You can let us deal with the hassle of registering a company while you focus on your business. And working with us means you get the best budget-friendly and cost-effective solution to help make your business dream a reality.
Over 10 years, Creative Zone has helped more than 36,000 entrepreneurs set up their businesses. Whether it be a mainland business setup, offshore company setup, free zone company setup, or the issuing of trade licenses and any related activity for registering a company, Creative Zone is your one-stop shop.
Our customer-first focus and our staff who speak 22 languages means you will get a tailored package to suit your specific needs. We have worked with clients from around the world, setting them up in over 200 different business activities.
Let Creative Zone make your journey into business ownership quick and hassle-free.
