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Benefits you unlock only with a DET Licence
100% UAE market access
Tap into $250B+ consumer economy in the UAE.
Government tender bids
Bid for UAE government and semi-government contracts.
Unlimited employee visas
Hire without a visa quota tied to your office size.
No currency restrictions
Invoice and get paid in any currency, no routing limits.
Unlimited branch offices
Open branches anywhere in Dubai and across the UAE.
Open physical stores
Run retail or F&B premises without a local distributor.
7 Days Setup timeline
100% Digital license process
$8B+ E-commerce market
2000+ Approved activities
7 Days Setup timeline
100% Digital license process
$8B+ E-commerce market
2000+ Approved activities
Mainland or Free Zone? Get this right.
Full access
Dubai Mainland From AED 18,000 per year Full access
Mainland companies CAN be 100% foreign-owned.The 51% sponsor rule only applies for a short list of 'strategic' activities like defense, oil & gas, etc. — most businesses are exempt.
Your customers are living in the UAE.
Open physical stores, clinics & offices.
Enter regulated sectors like RERA/DHA.
Validated business & ready to commit.
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Dubai Free Zone From AED 12,900 per year Most popular
Backed by ANAROCK - India's Largest Real Estate Company
Setup your Dubai Mainland company in 8 simple steps
Start here
1
Day 1Choose Activity & Structure
Choose your DET activity, licence and entity structure. We verify eligibility & other requirements.
myHQ handles for you
2
Day 1-2Reserve your trade name
Submit 2-3 name options through the IID portal. DET typically responds within 24-48 hours.
You approve
3
Day 2-3Get Initial Approval
Submit the initial application, passport copies and selected activities through IID.
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4
Day 3-5Draft & Notarise the MoA / LSA
We prepare your Memorandum of Association. Sign it before a Dubai Notary Public, either in person or through a Power of Attorney.
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5
Day 4-8Secure Your Office & Ejari
Secure your Dubai office, either flexi-desk or dedicated, and register the lease through Ejari.
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6
Day 7-15DET License Issuance
Submit all the documents via Invest in Dubai (IID) portal. You get your license in a few days.
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7
Day 10-17Get Establishment Card
Register with MOHRE as it is required for processing employee and investor visas.
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8
Day 14-28Get Visa & Emirates ID
Visit Dubai to complete the visa, medical fitness and biometrics to receive your Emirates ID.
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Your business is operational
You have residency
Week 4Your business is liveTrade legally from UAELicense issuedBank account ready
Start here
1
Day 1 Choose Activity & Structure
myHQ handles
2
Day 1-2 Reserve your trade name
You approve
3
Day 2-3 Get Initial Approval
myHQ handles
4
Day 3-5 Draft & Notarise the MoA / LSA
myHQ handles
5
Day 4-8 Secure Your Office & Ejari
myHQ handles
6
Day 7-15 DET License Issuance
myHQ handles Your business is operational
7
Day 10-17 Get Establishment Card
myHQ handles
8
Day 14-28 Get Visa & Emirates ID
myHQ handles You have residency
Week 4Your business is live
Trade legally from UAELicense issuedBank account ready
Document checklist & what you get
You provide
Passport copies of all shareholders / directors
Passport size photographs in white background
Trade name reservation certificate
Initial approval certificate
We take care of
Expert advisory on setup structure
Track and manage all approvals
You provide
Memorandum of Association
Shareholders Agreement
Board Resolution
Certificate of Incorporation
We take care of
Smooth digital document collation and submission
We handle document apostille
Digital document handover
For Indian founders, all the above documents must be notarised and apostilled before submission.
You provide
Preferred tenancy period
Location in Dubai
We take care of
Ejari contract & registration with Dubai Land Department
You provide
Preferred date of Dubai travel
We take care of
Establishment card copy
Entry permit application
Medical fitness test results
Biometrics appointment letter
Available as add-ons:
Physical office
VIP RPO services
Bank account opening
VAT & corporate tax
Your Dubai mainland setup options
Import, export and wholesale a broad range of non-restricted goods.Best forImporters · Exporters · Distributors · Sourcing businessesWhy mainland?Built for businesses selling and distributing within the UAE.
Set up a real estate brokerage or related property services business.Best forProperty brokers · Real estate firms · Property consultants · InvestorsWhy mainland?Regulated activity requiring mainland licensing & RERA approvals.
Civil, MEP, fit-out and specialist contracting activities.Best forContractors · MEP companies · Fit-out firms · Infrastructure businessesWhy mainland?Must for businesses executing physical projects and contracts in UAE.
Build, integrate and manage technology for UAE and international clients.Best forIT Companies · SaaS · Digital Agencies · Indian Tech FirmsWhy mainland?Must when UAE enterprises and institutions are your customers.
Build and run restaurants, cafés, catering and food-service concepts.Best forRestaurant operators · F&B brands · Caterers · Food entrepreneursWhy mainland?Your business needs a physical, customer-facing presence in Dubai.
Build an online commerce business serving UAE or global customers.Best forD2C brands · Online retailers · Marketplace sellers · Consumer brandsWhy mainland?A strong option when the UAE is your important customer market.
Not sure which activity fits?
An expert picks it for you in one call. Free, and you're not signing anything.
UAE Investor & Employment VisasGet residency for you and your team
How it helps?Live and work in the UAE, freely
Apostille & Document AttestationPrepare Indian documents for UAE use
How it helps?Get documents accepted without the hassle
Annual Licence RenewalKeep your licence active in few clicks
How it helps?Company stays compliant & active without interruptions
UAE Business Bank AccountOpen and activate your UAE account
How it helps?Receive, pay and manage finances globally
Licence & Activity AmendmentsAdapt as your business grows
How it helps?Add activities, change structure or expand visas
Virtual Office & Mailing AddressEstablish a professional UAE presence
How it helps?Have a UAE address without a physical office
Make the right decision for your Dubai setup
Get expert guidance choosing the best option as per your requirements
What does a mainland licence cost?
Select your preferences
DET License*
Office requirement
Visas
0 AED 2,000-5,000 each (Covers the entry permit, medical fitness test, biometrics and Emirates ID)
Other charges (Select if applicable)
Your UAE Business Setup Blueprint
A practical guide covering jurisdictions, licences, costs, visas and the key decisions you need to make before incorporating.
2,000+ happy clients. One trusted partner ⭐
We had a trade name conflict with an existing DET business. myHQ suggested three alternatives the same day and we were approved within 48 hours. The process I thought would take weeks took 3 days.
PS
Priya Singh
Founder of Management Consulting Firm
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a local Emirati sponsor to set up a Dubai DET mainland company?
For most activities, no. The UAE Companies Law (Federal Law No. 32 of 2021) abolished the mandatory 51% Emirati shareholding requirement for approximately 93% of commercial and professional activities. You can own 100% of your Dubai LLC or Sole Establishment for most trading, consulting, IT, and service activities. The remaining ~7% of activities — primarily in defence, oil, security, utilities, and specific regulated financial services — still require an Emirati majority shareholder. myHQ maintains a vetted local sponsor network for these cases.
How much does a Dubai mainland company cost to set up?
For a Professional licence with a flexi-desk Ejari, first-year costs typically range from AED 18,000–28,000 (inclusive of DET licence fee, establishment card, Ejari, MoA notarisation, and myHQ professional fee). A Commercial licence with a dedicated office runs AED 35,000–65,000 depending on office size and activity category. Annual renewal is approximately 60–70% of the first-year total. Indian founders should budget an additional AED 2,000–5,000 for document apostille and attestation services.
Can I set up a Dubai DET mainland company without visiting Dubai?
Yes, for getting your licence, the Invest in Dubai (IID) portal is fully digital. If your company has multiple shareholders or you are incorporating through an Indian company, a Power of Attorney (PoA) allows myHQ to represent you before the notary and at DET. The PoA must be executed before an Indian notary and apostilled. The visa step does require a physical visit to Dubai for biometrics and Emirates ID collection.
What is the difference between Dubai mainland and Dubai free zone for a business?
A Dubai DET mainland licence allows you to operate anywhere in Dubai and the UAE, hire without a visa quota, bid for government contracts, and operate physical retail or consumer-facing premises. A Dubai free zone licence restricts operations to within the free zone or internationally — serving UAE-local B2C customers directly requires either a mainland licence or a local distributor arrangement. Free zone licences are typically cheaper and faster to obtain. The right choice depends on whether your revenue is primarily domestic UAE or international.
How long does a Dubai DET mainland company setup take?
A Professional licence (sole establishment or civil company) typically takes 7–12 business days from initial submission to licence issuance via the IID portal. An LLC with a Commercial licence takes 10–20 business days, depending on MoA notarisation scheduling and DED activity approval timelines. Indian founders who need apostilled documents should add 3–7 business days for India-side document preparation.
Which activities still require a local sponsor in Dubai mainland?
Approximately 7% of DET-licensed activities still require an Emirati majority partner (51%+). These are classified as strategic activities under the 2021 Companies Law and include: security and guard services, oil and gas exploration, utilities and power generation, certain defence-related manufacturing, and some regulated financial activities. The vast majority of trading, professional services, IT, real estate brokerage, hospitality, F&B, and construction activities are fully open to 100% foreign ownership.
Is a Dubai mainland company better than a free zone for an Indian founder?
It depends on your revenue model. If your clients are primarily UAE-based businesses or consumers, especially in sectors like real estate, F&B, retail, or government contracting, a Dubai DET mainland licence is often more commercially effective, even at higher cost. If your revenue is primarily from international clients (India, Europe, North America) and you are billing in USD or EUR, a free zone licence at a lower cost point achieves the same legal structure. Many Indian founders run both: a free zone entity for international billing and a DET mainland entity for UAE local market access.
What are my FEMA obligations when I set up a Dubai mainland company as an Indian resident?
Setting up a Dubai company from India is permitted under RBI's Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) framework under FEMA. Key obligations: (1) File Form ODI with your Authorised Dealer (AD) bank in India within 30 days of first investment. (2) File annual performance reports with RBI on the foreign entity. (3) All remittances must go through banking channels — personal and corporate funds must be kept separate. The LRS limit for personal remittances is USD 250,000 per financial year; ODI investments use a separate corporate route. myHQ provides a standard FEMA compliance note to every Indian founder client before setup begins.
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Business Setup in Dubai Mainland: DET Licences, Costs and Process (2026)
Business setup in Dubai mainland means registering a legal entity under the authority of Dubai Economy & Tourism (DET), the government body that issues trade licences in Dubai. DET was formerly known as the Department of Economic Development (DED) before its rebranding in 2021.
The renaming accompanied a significant policy shift. UAE Federal Law No. 32 of 2021, the new UAE Companies Law, abolished the mandatory 51% Emirati shareholder requirement for the vast majority of commercial and professional activities in Dubai. Today, foreign nationals, including Indian founders, can own 100% of a Dubai mainland company for approximately 93% of activities listed in the DET activity registry.
A Dubai mainland company differs fundamentally from a free zone entity. Where a free zone company operates within the boundaries of a designated economic zone and is primarily suited to international trade and services, a DET-licensed mainland company can conduct business anywhere in Dubai and across the UAE. It can hire employees without a visa quota, sign government contracts, open physical retail premises, and establish branches across all seven UAE emirates. The company name, typically an LLC, carries “Dubai” as its registered jurisdiction on every contract, invoice and official document.
What Dubai Economy & Tourism (DET) Licences Cover
DET issues four primary categories of Dubai mainland license:
Commercial Licence. The most commonly requested category, covering the buying and selling of goods. A General Trading licence permits trade in most non-restricted goods, including electronics, textiles, foodstuffs, building materials, machinery and consumer products, and up to four or five activity subcategories can sit on a single licence.
Professional Licence. Issued to individuals or firms providing specialist services, such as management consulting, IT consultancy, financial advisory, legal services, engineering, architecture, design and marketing. It has no mandatory paid-up capital requirement and, critically for Indian founders, does not require a UAE National Service Agent for most nationalities. It is the most affordable mainland licence type in Dubai.
Industrial Licence. Covers manufacturing, processing, assembly and industrial operations. It requires a facility in one of Dubai’s approved industrial zones, such as Al Quoz, Dubai Industrial City or the JAFZA industrial area, plus clearances from Dubai Municipality and the Environment Department.
Tourism Licence. Required for tour operators, travel agencies, hotel management companies, event management firms and F&B outlets, with joint approval from DET and Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
The IID Portal: DET’s Digital Application System
All Dubai mainland company applications are submitted through the Invest in Dubai (IID) portal, the unified digital gateway for licence applications, trade name reservations, activity amendments and annual renewals. Foreign founders can complete trade name reservation, initial approval, licence application and document upload without being physically present in Dubai. Initial approvals are processed within one to three business days and trade name results within 24–48 hours, and once the licence is issued, a digital copy is available instantly, with a physical card sent by courier.
For Indian founders using a Power of Attorney (PoA) to avoid travelling to Dubai, the PoA authorises a registered PRO or agent, such as myHQ, to represent the applicant before DET and the Dubai Notary Public. The Establishment Card and visa processing sit outside the IID portal and are handled separately through the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) by the same PRO.
The 2021 Companies Law and 100% Foreign Ownership in Dubai Mainland
Before Federal Law No. 32 of 2021, almost all mainland companies in Dubai required a UAE national to hold 51% of the shares. The foreign founder controlled the business through side agreements, but the nominal majority stake rested with the Emirati shareholder.
The 2021 law kept the Emirati majority requirement only for a positive list of strategic and impactful activities, maintained by the UAE Ministry of Economy and covering approximately 94 activity categories. All other DET-licensed activities, numbering over 1,900, are open to 100% foreign ownership.
The restricted list includes oil and gas exploration and extraction, electricity and water utilities, telecommunications services, air and maritime transport operations, defence manufacturing, private security services, certain employment agency activities and specific regulated financial services. For these, a UAE national must still hold 51% of shares, though operational control and profit distribution can be structured through a separate shareholders’ agreement to protect the foreign investor’s commercial interests. myHQ maintains a vetted network of UAE national sponsors for restricted activity setups.
Company Formation in Dubai Mainland: LLC Step by Step
The most popular structure for company formation in Dubai mainland is the Limited Liability Company (LLC). An LLC can have between one and fifty shareholders, with liability limited to each shareholder’s share capital contribution, and since 2021 a single foreign national can form one with 100% ownership for most activities.
Activity selection and initial advisory. Identify the correct DET activity code and licence type, which also determines whether 100% foreign ownership applies or a local sponsor is required. myHQ confirms this in the first consultation call.
Trade name reservation via the IID portal. Submit up to three name options. Names cannot reference countries, religions, government entities or existing registered trade names, and approval or rejection returns within 24–48 hours.
Initial approval. DET’s in-principle consent, covering passport copies, the application form and the activity list, issued within one to three business days. Indian founders incorporating through an existing Indian private limited company must attach attested and apostilled board resolutions and the Certificate of Incorporation at this step.
MoA drafting and notarisation. myHQ drafts the Memorandum of Association (MoA) from the agreed activity list and share structure, then arranges notarisation at a Dubai Notary Public. Non-resident founders can complete this via Power of Attorney, executed before an Indian notary and apostilled, then couriered to myHQ.
Ejari registration. DET requires a registered office in Dubai, with the lease registered on Ejari, the Dubai Land Department’s tenancy registration system. Sign only after initial approval, since committing to a lease before DET approves the activity and trade name creates unnecessary risk.
DET licence issuance. The complete package of initial approval, MoA, Ejari confirmation and supporting documents is submitted via the IID portal, and DET typically issues the trade licence within two to seven business days.
Establishment Card. The MOHRE Establishment Card is required before any investor or employee visa can be processed, taking two to five business days.
Investor visa and Emirates ID. Entry permit, medical fitness test, biometric capture and Emirates ID issuance follow the licence and Establishment Card. This step requires physical presence in Dubai and takes two to four weeks.
Ejari and Office Requirements
Every DET mainland licence requires a valid office address registered on the Ejari system; without it, the licence cannot be issued or renewed. There are two routes:
Flexi-desk or business centre package. Approved business centres offer Ejari-registered flexi-desk packages that meet DET’s office requirement at minimal cost, suiting professional service firms, consultancies and trading companies that don’t need a consumer-facing space. Many centres in Business Bay, Downtown Dubai, JLT and DAFZA offer this.
Dedicated office lease. For businesses that need a physical retail presence, warehouse, restaurant or professional office. Costs vary significantly by location, with Business Bay, DIFC and Downtown commanding premium rates against more affordable spaces in Al Qusais, Dubai Industrial City and Jebel Ali.
Signing a 12-month lease before the activity and trade name are confirmed is a common and expensive mistake.
Dubai Mainland License Cost
Dubai mainland license cost depends mainly on the licence type, but the full Dubai mainland company formation cost also covers the trade name, the MoA and the office.
Cost Item
Amount (AED)
Notes
Professional Licence
5,000–12,000/year
The most affordable mainland licence type
Commercial Licence
8,000–20,000/year
Depends on the number and category of activities
Tourism Licence
8,000–15,000/year
Joint approval from DET and DTCM
Industrial Licence
10,000–25,000/year
Excludes facility costs
Trade name reservation
620
Via the IID portal
MoA drafting and notarisation
500–2,000
Inclusive of notary fees
Flexi-desk or business centre package
5,000–8,000/year
Meets the Ejari office requirement
Dedicated office lease
25,000–500,000+/year
Varies significantly by location
Banking for Dubai Mainland Companies
Opening a corporate bank account is typically more straightforward for a mainland company than a free zone one, since an Ejari-registered address and a DET-issued trade licence are both strong KYC anchors for UAE banks. Emirates NBD, Mashreq, ADCB, FAB, RAKBANK and Wio Bank all commonly serve mainland LLCs, with approval taking two to six weeks.
For Indian passport holders, approval rates improve with a UAE residential address and Emirates ID, a clear business plan, a bank introduction letter from myHQ and confirmation of FEMA compliance. RAKBANK and Mashreq have historically been more accommodating of new mainland LLCs from Indian founders than Tier-1 banks such as Emirates NBD and FAB, which typically require six months of operating history first.
FEMA and RBI Compliance for Indian Founders
Indian resident founders setting up a Dubai DET mainland company must comply with India’s Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) regulations governing Overseas Direct Investment (ODI):
Form ODI filing: within 30 days of the first investment, the founder or their Authorised Dealer (AD) bank must file Form ODI with the RBI.
Annual Performance Report: filed every year with RBI through the AD bank, reporting the UAE entity’s financial performance, shareholding and any structural changes.
Remittance routes: share capital and subsequent investments must flow through RBI-approved banking channels. Routing funds through unofficial channels is a FEMA violation regardless of the legitimacy of the underlying business.
LRS vs ODI route: individual remittances under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) are capped at USD 250,000 per financial year. Larger amounts, or incorporation through an Indian company, require the corporate ODI route.
Dividend repatriation: profits can be repatriated to India with no UAE withholding tax. India taxes dividends at the applicable slab rate, or 20% plus surcharge and cess for corporate shareholders under Section 115BBD conditions, and the India-UAE DTAA provides partial relief.
myHQ provides a standard FEMA compliance note to every Indian founder client as part of onboarding, before any fees are paid.
Dubai Mainland Licence Renewal
A DET mainland licence must be renewed annually through the IID portal, which sends reminders 90 days before expiry. The office lease must be re-registered on Ejari first, since expired Ejari is the most common cause of delayed renewals. The DET renewal fee is roughly 60–70% of the initial licence fee, since there are no name-reservation or notarisation costs the second time round, and the MOHRE Establishment Card is renewed alongside it. Visa renewals depend on a valid licence and Establishment Card, so an expired licence blocks the whole chain.
Late renewal incurs fines of AED 250–500 per month for the first three months, escalating to AED 1,000–2,000 per month after that.
Extended FAQ: Dubai DET Mainland Business Setup
What is the minimum share capital for a Dubai LLC?
There is no statutory minimum for most formations. The 2021 Companies Law removed the previous AED 300,000 minimum that applied to LLCs in most sectors, and for most activities a Dubai LLC can be incorporated with nominal share capital of AED 1,000 or more. Regulated sectors, including banking, insurance, healthcare and some financial services, have their own sector-specific requirements.
Can a Dubai mainland company have a foreign corporate shareholder?
Yes. If the corporate shareholder is an Indian entity, its board resolution, MoA and Certificate of Incorporation must be notarised and apostilled before submission to DET, and the involvement is subject to FEMA ODI compliance on the Indian side.
What is an Establishment Card, and how many visas can a mainland company sponsor?
The Establishment Card is issued by MOHRE after the trade licence and registers the company with MOHRE. Without it, the company exists but cannot legally employ staff or process residency visas. Visa entitlement has no hard quota: it is determined mainly by office space, at roughly one visa per 80–100 square feet of registered office, with a typical flexi-desk package carrying two to four visa slots.
Do Dubai mainland companies need an annual audit?
Yes. Dubai LLCs must maintain proper books of accounts and submit audited financial statements annually, prepared by a UAE-registered auditing firm. With UAE Corporate Tax now in effect, IFRS-compliant books are a regulatory necessity for all mainland entities with taxable income.
How does a Dubai mainland company compare to a DIFC company?
DIFC is a financial free zone with its own legal system, courts and authority, designed for financial services and regulated by the DFSA. Most commercial and professional businesses don’t need a DIFC entity: a DET mainland company can instead elect DIFC Courts jurisdiction for commercial disputes, giving it access to common law contract enforcement without being a DIFC entity itself.
Full access
Dubai Mainland From AED 18,000 per year 
Mainland companies CAN be 100% foreign-owned.The 51% sponsor rule only applies for a short list of 'strategic' activities like defense, oil & gas, etc. — most businesses are exempt.
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Dubai Free Zone From AED 12,900 per year 
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