Q: How much does Dubai mainland company formation cost?

The Dubai mainland company formation cost can vary widely depending on your business requirements. Key cost factors include the license type and government fees, the size and location of your office (rent), visa fees per employee or partner, and any additional approvals needed for special activities. As a ballpark, a simple mainland company setup can start from around AED 15,000–20,000 in government fees and basic expenses, but it differs case by case . For example, if you need a larger office or multiple visas, your costs will be higher. The good news is Dubai mainland allows you to start small and scale up as needed. To get an accurate estimate, you can consult with us directly. We’ll provide a transparent quote so you know exactly what to budget for your mainland company formation.

Question 1

What is a Dubai mainland license and why do I need it?

Accepted Answer

A Dubai mainland license is the official trade license issued by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) that allows your company to operate legally in Dubai and across the UAE.

Often referred to as a mainland license in Dubai, this document is essentially your business permit. Every company in Dubai mainland must have a valid license corresponding to its activity (e.g. commercial, professional, industrial).

In short, without a business license in Dubai, you cannot open a bank account for your company, sponsor visas, or conduct any business in Dubai. Obtaining this license is a core part of the company formation process, and we make sure our clients get their Dubai trade license quickly and smoothly.

Question 2

How much does Dubai mainland company formation cost?

Accepted Answer

The Dubai mainland company formation cost can vary widely depending on your business requirements.
Key cost factors include the license type and government fees, the size and location of your office (rent), visa fees per employee or partner, and any additional approvals needed for special activities.

As a ballpark, a simple mainland company setup can start from around AED 15,000–20,000 in government fees and basic expenses, but it differs case by case. For example, if you need a larger office or multiple visas, your costs will be higher.

The good news is Dubai mainland allows you to start small and scale up as needed. To get an accurate estimate, you can consult with us directly. We’ll provide a transparent quote so you know exactly what to budget for your mainland company formation.

Question 3

Free Zone vs Mainland Dubai – which is better for my business?

Accepted Answer

This is a common question, and the answer depends on your business goals. Both free zones and mainland have their advantages.

Free zones in Dubai offer 100% foreign ownership as well, and they often come with benefits like zero corporate tax for a certain period, simplified customs for import/export within the zone, and no need for an onshore office (some offer flexi-desk packages).

However, free zone companies are generally restricted from doing business in the mainland UAE market unless they work through local distributors or agents.

In contrast, a Dubai mainland company allows you to trade anywhere in the UAE freely and even globally, without restrictions on where you can offer your services or products.
Mainland companies can also take on government projects and have the flexibility to expand branches across Dubai and other Emirates.

If your business will primarily cater to the local UAE market or you plan to scale broadly, a mainland setup is usually the better choice.
On the other hand, if you aim to focus on export or a specific zone-based activity, a free zone might suffice.

We at CBS help clients weigh the pros and cons of free zone vs mainland Dubai based on their specific business model, ensuring you make the best decision for your situation.

Question 4

How many visas can I get with a Dubai mainland company?

Accepted Answer

One big advantage of a mainland company is the ability to obtain UAE residency visas for you and your employees.
There isn’t a fixed cap on the number of visas for Dubai mainland companies – it largely depends on the size of your office space and the nature of your business.

Typically, Dubai authorities allow a certain number of visas per square foot of office space (for example, about 100 square feet per visa is a common guideline).

So the larger your office (or the more desks you have), the more visas you can sponsor. In practice, this means a mainland company can grow its team without the strict visa limits that some free zones impose (free zones often have set packages like 2 visas, 5 visas, etc., unless you upgrade your facility).

With a mainland license, you can sponsor investor visas for owners, employment visas for staff, and even family visas for dependents under the right conditions.

CBS will advise you on the visa process and help you handle all the paperwork to obtain Dubai mainland visas for your team once your company is established.

Question 5

Do I need a local sponsor to start a company in Dubai mainland?

Accepted Answer

In the past, mainland companies required a UAE national sponsor or partner to hold 51% ownership for many types of businesses. However, this changed with amendments to the UAE Commercial Companies Law.

As of now, most business activities in Dubai mainland allow 100% foreign ownership, which means you do not need a local Emirati partner and can own the business entirely yourself.

There are only a few strategic sectors (like oil & gas, telecom, etc.) or regulated professions where some local involvement might still be needed. For the vast majority of normal trading or service businesses, no local sponsor is required – you’ll simply need a Local Service Agent for administrative purposes if you set up a professional sole establishment (which is an agent with no ownership stake, just helps with licensing paperwork).

CBS will inform you upfront if your chosen activity requires any local stakeholder or if it’s fully open to 100% foreign ownership. In most cases, you can enjoy full control of your mainland company while we handle the local liaising requirements as your agent.

Ready to begin your Dubai mainland company setup? Our team at Corporate Business Services is here to help. Get in touch with us for personalized support and make your Dubai business setup journey seamless and successful.

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