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Dubai Mainland Company Formation — DET Licence, Cost & Steps (2026)

Dubai mainland companies are licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DED). A DET licence lets you trade anywhere in Dubai and the wider UAE, serve consumers directly and bid for government work — with up to 100% foreign ownership for most activities.

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Licensing authorityDubai Economy & Tourism (DET, formerly DED)
Foreign ownershipUp to 100% for most activities
Market accessWhole UAE, including government tenders
Setup timeAbout 1–3 weeks once documents are ready
OfficePhysical premises with Ejari registration
PortalInvest in Dubai / DET unified licence

Dubai Mainland cost (2026)

ItemCost
Trade licence (government)≈ AED 11,500–13,500, plus name approval, initial approval, Tasheel and MoA
All-in, zero visa (government)from ≈ AED 13,900
All-in, one visa (government)≈ AED 18,750
Establishment / immigration card≈ AED 750–2,000 one-off
Investor or partner visa≈ AED 3,500–6,000 each
Employee visa (incl. labour card)≈ AED 5,000–8,000 each
Office / deskRent extra — from a flexi arrangement to a private office

Dubai figures are government costs published as at July 2026. Where a row says “quote required” there is no reliable public price, so we do not publish a number.

Benefits

  • Trade with customers across the UAE without a distributor
  • Eligible for government and semi-government tenders
  • Wide choice of commercial, professional and industrial activities
  • Local business address with direct customer access
  • Scalable visa quota tied to your office space

Requirements and documents

  • Passport copies of all shareholders and managers
  • Approved trade name and initial approval
  • Memorandum of Association
  • Tenancy contract for premises
  • Approvals from other authorities for regulated activities

Who is it best for?

  • Businesses that sell to local customers
  • Companies wanting government contracts
  • Businesses that need a storefront or showroom

What to watch out for

  • Physical premises are typically required
  • Fees vary by activity, legal form and premises — confirm the live figure
  • Emiratisation and labour rules apply as you hire

Step-by-step: how to set up

  1. Choose the emirate, activity and legal formDecide the licence type (commercial, professional, industrial) and legal form (LLC, sole establishment, civil company or branch).
  2. Reserve the trade name and get initial approvalSubmit the name and activity for approval to the economic department.
  3. Lease premisesSign a tenancy contract for a physical office or shop — the office size affects your visa quota. Dubai requires Ejari registration.
  4. Draft and sign the Memorandum of AssociationThe MoA sets out shareholders, capital and management; it is signed before a notary where required.
  5. Obtain external approvalsRegulated activities need approval from other authorities (health, education, food, finance, etc.).
  6. Pay fees and receive the trade licencePay the government fees to receive your licence and commercial registration.
  7. Establishment card, visas, bank account and taxGet the immigration card, residence visas and Emirates ID, open the bank account and register for corporate tax and VAT.

FAQs: Dubai Mainland

How much does a Dubai mainland licence cost?

Published government costs start at about AED 11,500–13,500 for the licence and about AED 13,900 all-in for a zero-visa company; one visa brings it to roughly AED 18,750. Office rent, professional fees and external approvals are additional.

What is the difference between DED and DET?

DED (Department of Economic Development) was restructured as the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). People still search for “DED licence”, but licences are now issued by DET.

Do I need an office for a Dubai mainland licence?

Yes — a physical premises lease with Ejari registration is generally required. The office size also influences how many visas you can hold.

Can I get a Dubai mainland licence without a UAE partner?

For most activities, yes. Since the 2021 reforms, most activities allow 100% foreign ownership without a local sponsor.

What types of Dubai mainland licence are there?

Commercial (trading), professional (services), industrial, tourism and craftsmen licences, plus the legal form you choose — LLC, sole establishment, civil company or branch.

What documents are needed for a mainland licence?

Typically passport copies for shareholders and managers, an approved trade name, a Memorandum of Association, a premises lease and approvals for regulated activities. Foreign corporate shareholders need attested incorporation documents.

Do mainland companies pay corporate tax and VAT?

The UAE applies 9% corporate tax above AED 375,000 of taxable income, and 5% VAT with mandatory registration above AED 375,000 of taxable turnover. Small Business Relief may apply for eligible businesses — check current Federal Tax Authority guidance.

How long does a mainland licence last and how is it renewed?

Mainland trade licences are issued for one year and renewed annually with the licensing department, together with the office lease, establishment card and any external approvals. Renewal fees are broadly comparable to the first-year licence fee, and late renewal attracts fines.

How many visas can a mainland company have?

The visa quota depends mainly on the size of your registered office space, plus the activity and shareholder count. Larger premises support more visas, which is why the office lease is the key sizing decision.

Can a mainland company also operate from a free zone?

Yes — many groups keep a mainland entity for UAE sales and a free zone entity for international work or holding. Each is a separate licence with its own costs and compliance.

Can ZoneWise help me choose between mainland and free zone?

Yes — send us your activity, customer location and visa needs and we will recommend the most cost-effective route, with a written quote.

Get a written quote for Dubai Mainland

Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We reply on WhatsApp or email, with government fees shown separately from our fee.

  • Free, no obligation
  • Honest advice — including when a cheaper zone fits better
  • Remote setup available for most zones

By submitting you agree to be contacted about your enquiry.

Figures are indicative and were last reviewed in July 2026 (published fees) / September 2026 (page content). They are set by the relevant authorities and change; they exclude professional-service fees, office rent beyond a bundled desk, and external approvals. This page is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice — confirm the live position with the licensing department before paying.

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