Dubai Mainland Company Formation

A Dubai Mainland license is an onshore company allowing entrepreneurs to conduct business activities inside and outside the UAE. Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (DED) issues trade licenses for mainland companies.

You can register for a professional license or commercial license in Dubai Mainland. The trade license issued by DED is considered more premium and allows for the following benefits.

  • Allows for 100% foreign ownership
  • Ability to conduct business anywhere in the UAE
  • Own and rent office spaces within Dubai mainland
  • Do business with government entities
  • Fewer nationality restrictions for obtaining a trade license
  • Easier to open bank accounts, especially with traditional banks
  • Scalability of a business is much easier by adding more visas to the trade license

To get a company registered in Dubai, having a physical office space is not mandatory; Rapid Zone’s co-working DED package would be the perfect solution to get you started.

Advantages of a Dubai Mainland License

Freedom to Operate Anywhere

Having no limitations on where you can conduct business is one of the strongest reasons for getting a Dubai Mainland License. UAE mainland companies are allowed to do trade and business within the nation, in any free zones, and outside the country.

Stronger Market Presence

Getting a DED Mainland License gives you the opportunity to open your physical company anywhere in the UAE. This creates a stronger presence, and the freedom and flexibility to expand your company’s branches across the UAE.

Ability to Work with Government Bodies

Companies with Mainland Licenses are allowed to work with government contracts. The UAE government frequently needs specialised contractors for multi-million projects, giving you the opportunity to bid on high-risk, high-return projects.

No Currency Restrictions

There are no currency restrictions under the Dubai Mainland License. Companies are entitled to fully repatriate offshore or onshore bank accounts in the UAE.

No Visa Limitations

UAE mainland companies do not have any restrictions when it comes to expanding their visa quotas under a business license. An additional physical space would be required after a certain point, but it is much easier to scale the business.

Financial Viability

Companies with a Dubai Mainland License enjoy the benefits that Free Zone license companies have. This includes exclusion in paying taxes. It is also very important to note that no minimum capital requirement is required in setting up a company under a Dubai Mainland License.

Explore Monthly Payment Plans with Selected Banks

Convert your transactions into easy and affordable monthly instalments with our selected range of banking partners. Spend a minimum of AED 1,000 on your credit card issued by any of our participating banks and repay in easy instalments over a period of 12 months.

Steps

Make a minimum purchase of AED 1,000 using your credit card for any services provided by Rapid Zone.

 

Call the banking services of any of our partner banks and request to convert your purchase into an Easy Payment Plan.

 

Get the option of paying over 3, 6, 9 or 12 months

*General terms and conditions from the banks will be applicable.

Steps in Setting Up Your Business Under a Dubai Mainland License

The first and most important thing to do before setting up a company in Dubai is to choose the right category and nature where your business activity falls. You can choose from over 1,500 business activities in the UAE. Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (DED) is the Governing body that regulates all the legal activities of businesses in Dubai

Choose a unique name for your company. Ensure that the chosen name does not match any other companies in Dubai. Once you have selected a name and received approval, register it with the DED. Typically, the registration process takes around three days.

After registering your company name, it’s now time to apply for your mainland trade license. There are a few commercial activities that are not permissible according to the DED law. DED is the accountable body to decide, regulate, classify, permit, and license all economic activities. Several documents are required as part of a trade license application. Rapid Zone can assist you with this.

In the UAE, office spaces are usually owned by third parties. The packages and inclusions can be customised depending on your needs. It is essential to note that the tenancy agreement, Real Estate Regulation Authority (RERA) documents, and EJARI need to be submitted, following with the initial approval that is granted by the DED. An office space is often not mandatory and Rapid Zone provides options of coworking spaces which is much more cost-effective.

The Memorandum of Association (MoA) is one of the most important documents in setting up a company in Dubai. This document states the information on share of limitations and liberty every partner has within the company. This document should be drafted carefully. The legal experts from Rapid Zone can help you in preparing this document.

After completing documentation and approvals, pay fees and collect your business license, marking official recognition and allowing legal operation in Dubai mainland.

After obtaining the trade license, the next step is to open a corporate bank account. Modern digital banking has streamlined this process, often taking only a few days. Our team of banking experts will assist you throughout the process.