Business Setup Establishing a Business on the Mainland Don't merely enter the market — start making an impression right now. Your mainland business setup is quicker, simpler, and fully compliant with UAE rules with Azuvia's end-to-end support, giving you the confidence to grow, hire, and trade. Azuvia handles everything remotely and professionally, from consultation to business launch. Give Us a Call Now The Benefits Advantages of Establishing a Mainland Company in Dubai For investors and businesses, forming a corporation on the Dubai mainland offers several benefits: 100% foreign ownership in the majority of industries No limitations on currency Freedom to open branches domestically and abroad, unlike free zones Access to government contracts A broad range of commercial activities to choose from Flexible office location options Unlimited visa eligibility, depending on activity and space No minimum capital requirement Increased market reach and reputation No cap on the number of staff you can hire Greater credibility with customers and organizations How We Help Scope of Service Jurisdiction advisory & free zone comparison Legal structure selection (FZE, FZCO, LLC, Branch) Trade name reservation & initial approvals MOA drafting and notarization Licensing coordination with DED & regulators Establishment card & Chamber of Commerce registration Licensing Dubai's Business License Types A license is required to open a business on the UAE mainland. Depending on what your company does, there are several kinds to choose from: 01 Industrial Licence For businesses that manufacture, package, or process items. 02 Commercial Licence For companies that buy and sell goods or services, such as software trading, retail, construction, logistics, import/export, and real estate. 03 Professional Licence For businesses that rely on skills and knowledge to generate revenue, such as consulting, education, or administrative services. 04 E-Trader Licence For sole proprietorships operating from home that sell goods or services online or on social media. 05 Dual Licence Lets businesses in specific free zones also operate on the Dubai mainland, removing the need for a local partner or mainland office. 06 Instant Licence A fully digital process that issues your license in as little as five minutes, with a virtual office for your first year — a physical office is required after that. 07 SME Licence For UAE and GCC citizens launching small or medium-sized enterprises. Inexpensive, with waived or reduced fees to help startups cut costs. 08 Intelaq Licence Enables UAE and GCC nationals to operate a home business with official approval — ideal for budding entrepreneurs. Not sure which license fits your activity? Talk to an Advisor Legal Structure Select the Right Business Structure for Your Company Choosing the right legal structure is crucial when starting a business. Here's a simple breakdown of common business types and their key features, to help you pick a legal form that matches your business type and ownership preferences. General Partnership Owned by two or more partners All partners share full responsibility and personal liability for business debts Allows 100% foreign ownership Limited Partnership A blend of general partners (fully responsible) and limited partners (capital only, liability limited to their investment) Also supports 100% foreign ownership Limited Liability Company (LLC) Partners are only liable for the amount they invest Owned by one person or up to 50 partners Open to all nationalities, 100% foreign ownership Private Joint Stock Company (PJSC) Up to 200 shareholders Shares are not offered to the public Owned by a single company or multiple individuals; 100% foreign ownership Public Joint Stock Company Shares are offered to the public Founders retain a portion; the rest are sold publicly Best for large companies planning to list on the stock market Civil Company Owned by two or more people offering professional services (consultants, tailors, trainers, salons) Sole Proprietorship Owned and operated by a single person, personally responsible for all business obligations and debts Paperwork Required Documents for a Mainland Business Setup Before you begin your company setup on the Dubai mainland, make sure you have all the necessary paperwork. For Individuals Passport copy (for foreigners) or Emirates ID (for Emiratis/residents) Residence visa or permit copy for non-GCC nationals For the Business Articles of Association (not needed for single-owner LLCs) Feasibility study of the business project (required for Joint Stock Companies) Important Document Attestation Guidelines All documents for a mainland company setup must be: Attested and legalized by the UAE Embassy and Foreign Ministry in the country of origin Counter-attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs Legally translated to Arabic and attested by the UAE Ministry of Justice Expanding Your Business: Documents for a Branch Office If you're opening a branch of an existing business from another emirate, you'll need the following documents for your Dubai mainland business setup: Official Board Resolution approving the opening of a branch in Dubai Authorization Letter from the Managing Director granting permission to set up the branch Copy of the parent company's Trade License Copy of the parent company's Memorandum of Association (MoA) The Process Eight Steps to Launch a Company on the Mainland Follow these steps for a smooth and efficient business setup process. 1 Choose Your Business Activity Determines the type of license you need (commercial, industrial, professional) Choose from over 2,000 activities; a single business can include multiple activities 2 Select Your Legal Structure General/Limited Partnership, LLC, Joint Stock Company (PJSC/PrJSC) Sole Establishment, Civil Company, Local/Foreign/GCC/Free Zone Branch, or Holding Company 3 Choose a Trade Name Must comply with UAE guidelines — no offensive or religious terms, must be unused, and must include the legal form (e.g., LLC) Register your chosen name through the economic department of your emirate 4 Obtain Initial Approval Confirms the UAE government has no objection to your business — a necessary formality, but it does not permit operations to start Foreigners must also get clearance from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners' Affairs Certain activities may require extra approvals (legal, security, or financial sectors) 5 Prepare the MOA or LSA Draft and notarize a Memorandum of Association (MOA) or Local Service Agent (LSA) agreement, depending on your structure Required for LLCs, partnerships, and joint stock companies Businesses not owned by a GCC national must appoint a local service agent 6 Secure a Business Location A physical address is mandatory for all businesses Requires a valid rental contract, registered with Ejari in Dubai The location must meet all local planning and DED regulations 7 Get Additional Approvals (If Needed) Some activities require special approval from relevant authorities before licensing 8 Get Your Business License Apply through the Economic Department, online or at a service center Submit your initial approval receipt, attested lease contract, notarized MOA or LSA, and any external approvals obtained Why Choose Azuvia Complete Support, Start to Finish Setting up a business on the Dubai mainland can be complex, but it doesn't have to be. We offer complete support for entrepreneurs and companies looking to establish a strong presence in the UAE. With expert legal guidance and a deep understanding of UAE regulations, we help you choose the right corporate structure, manage all documentation, and navigate the entire setup process efficiently. We can complete your mainland company registration in as little as 48 hours, even fully remotely. From start to finish, Azuvia ensures your business is legally compliant and ready to operate. Our comprehensive services include: Mainland & Free Zone company formation Investor & employee visa services Bank account opening assistance Tax & accounting support (VAT, corporate tax, bookkeeping) Document attestation & legalization Golden Visa eligibility & application support Marketing solutions to grow your business Ready When You Are Launch your mainland company in as little as 48 hours Talk to Azuvia today and get a clear, compliant path to your Dubai mainland business — handled remotely, start to finish. Give Us a Call Now Request a Quote