Mainland Companies

Expert Setup & Registration Services

What is a Mainland Company in the UAE?

A Mainland Company in the UAE is an onshore business entity licensed and regulated by the Department of Economic Development (DED) or its equivalent authority (such as the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai) in the respective emirate. This setup grants the company the legal ability to conduct business anywhere across the UAE, without geographic restrictions, enabling trading within local and global markets and participation in government tenders and contracts.

Why Us?

Expert Legal & Regulatory Team

Your mainland company formation will be handled by experienced corporate lawyers and business consultants authorized to practice in the UAE, with deep expertise in UAE federal law, emirate-specific regulations, and DED/DET licensing procedures. Our team specializes in mainland company structures, ownership regulations, corporate tax compliance, and cross-border business setup, ensuring your company is established correctly from day one with full regulatory compliance.

Direct Government Relationships & Fast Results

As authorized partners working directly with Department of Economic Development (DED), Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), MOHRE, and all UAE mainland licensing authorities, we eliminate intermediaries and associated delays. Our extensive network of relationships enables exceptional efficiency – we can secure initial approvals within 3-5 days, complete standard mainland setups in 3-4 weeks, and open corporate bank accounts in 5-10 days, while solving complex regulatory challenges others cannot.

End-to-End Support & Long-Term Partnership

We don't just set up your company and disappear. From initial consultation through license issuance to post-setup compliance, visa processing, and ongoing corporate administration, the same dedicated team manages your project from start to finish. Our round-the-clock support and proactive compliance management ensure your mainland company remains in good standing as your business grows, making us your reliable long-term partner in the UAE.

Tailored Solutions Without Unnecessary Costs

We focus exclusively on services where we have proven expertise – mainland company formation, corporate structuring, licensing, and compliance. Our consultants take time to understand your specific business model and objectives, recommending only the company structure, activities, and services you actually need. No upselling, no unnecessary expenditures – just professional, efficient mainland company setup at transparent mid-premium pricing that reflects the quality and comprehensive support you receive.

Key Features of Mainland Companies

Criterion	Mainland Company	Free Zone Company
Ownership	100% foreign ownership for most business activities (some require approval)	100% foreign ownership without restrictions
Geography of Operations	Free trade throughout the UAE territory, work with local clients	Limited to free zone or requires mainland distributor/agent
Government Contracts	Right to participate in government and semi-government tenders	Cannot participate in most government contracts
Office Requirements	Flexible location choice within the emirate	Office must be located within the free zone
Licensing	Wide coverage, possibility of multiple business activities under one license	Activity-specific licenses, limited to free zone permitted activities
Visa Quota	Depends on office size (typically 1 visa per 80-100 sq. ft.)	Depends on specific free zone rules

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Free Zone Companies

Main Corporate Services & Private Clients Corporate Setup Company Setup Mainland Companies

Registration of a local company in mainland is a strategic step for entrepreneurs and investors aimed at a long-term presence in the UAE and the full use of the advantages and potential of the domestic market.

Setup of a mainland company provides universal business opportunities, unlimited by geography, which allows you to carry out operations in the UAE, work with local clients, sign government contracts and grow your business. 

Step	Action Required	Key Details	Timeline
Choose Business Activity	Select your commercial activities and obtain initial approval	• Determine ISIC code classification; • Ensure activities comply with DED regulations; • List primary and secondary activities;	1-2 days
Select Trade Name	Reserve your company name with the Department of Economic Development (DED)	• Name must comply with UAE naming conventions; • Check availability through DED portal; • Avoid religious or offensive terms.	1-2 days
Obtain Initial Approval	Submit application for initial business approval	• Provide business plan outline; • Submit shareholder details; • Specify proposed activities.	3-5 days
Draft Legal Documents	Prepare Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA)	• Notarize documents at notary public; • Include shareholding structure; • Define management rights.	2-3 days
Secure Office Space	Lease commercial office space and obtain Ejari	• Physical office required for mainland license; • Register tenancy contract (Ejari); • Obtain NOC from landlord.	3-7 days
Submit License Application	File complete application with DED	• Submit all required documents; • Pay applicable fees; • Await DED review.	5-7 days
Receive Initial Approval	Obtain preliminary license approval	• Review approval conditions; • Address any additional requirements; • Prepare for next steps.	2-3 days
Open Corporate Bank Account	Establish business bank account	• Submit company documents to bank; • Deposit share capital if required; • Obtain bank certificate.	5-10 days
Obtain External Approvals	Secure necessary regulatory approvals (if applicable)	• Industry-specific licenses (health, education, etc.); • Municipality approvals; • Professional licenses.	7-14 days
Receive Trade License	Collect final trade license	• Final payment of license fees; • License valid for 1 year; • Renewable annually.	1-2 days
Register for VAT	Register with Federal Tax Authority (if turnover exceeds AED 375,000)	• Mandatory for turnover >AED 375,000; • Voluntary for AED 187,500-375,000; • Obtain Tax Registration Number (TRN).	3-5 days
Immigration and Visas	Apply for employee and investor visas	• Sponsor visas for shareholders; • Process employee work permits; • Obtain Emirates ID.	7-14 days

Document Category	Required Documents	Purpose
Application Forms	• Trade license application form; • Company establishment form; • Shareholder and manager declaration forms; • Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) declaration.	Core registration with DED/DET.
Trade Name	• Trade name application (2-3 preferred names); • NOC from current sponsor/employer (if applicable); • Trade name availability confirmation.	Business name registration.
Initial Approval	• Approved trade name certificate; • Business activity and classification codes; • Shareholder and manager details; • Proposed company structure and share distribution.	Preliminary government approval.

Document	Details
Tenancy Contract	Lease agreement for office, flexi-desk, or serviced office space.
Ejari/Tawtheeq Certificate	Official tenancy registration (Ejari in Dubai, Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi).
NOC from Landlord	Permission for commercial use of premises (if applicable).
Title Deed Copy	Property ownership document (provided by landlord/agent).

Office Type	Annual Cost	Visa Quota
Flexi-desk/Co-working	AED 5,000-12,000	1-2 visas
Serviced Office	AED 15,000-40,000	2-5 visas
Dedicated Office	AED 30,000-100,000+	Custom (1 visa per 80-100 sq. ft.)

MOA Component	Required Information
Company Identity	• Legal name (Arabic and English); • Legal form (LLC, Professional Company, etc.); • Registered office address.
Business Details	• Business objectives and permitted activities; • Duration of the company (typically unlimited).
Ownership Structure	• Total share capital and division among shareholders; • Shareholder names, nationalities, and ownership percentages; • Profit distribution mechanism.
Management	• Management structure; • Authority to sign and bind the company.
Legal Provisions	• Liquidation procedures; • Dispute resolution procedures.

Mainland Companies

What is a Mainland Company in the UAE?

Why Us?

Key Features of Mainland Companies

Steps to Company Formation

Types of Mainland Company Structures

Required Documents for Mainland Company Formation

Core Documentation (Required for All Company Types)

Why Choose Mainland Company Setup?

Success Stories from Our Clients

FAQ

Other Expertise

Business Sector	Required Approvals & Documents
Healthcare & Medical	• Professional licenses (medical degrees, board certifications); • DHA or DOH approval; • Medical malpractice insurance; • Facility inspection certificates; • Health authority registration.
Educational & Training	• KHDA approval (Dubai); • Educational accreditation certificates; • Curriculum details and course structure; • Teaching staff qualifications; • Facility compliance certificates.
Food & Beverage	• Food Safety Department approval; • Municipality health and safety clearance; • Civil Defense NOC; • Food handling trade license; • Import permits (if applicable).
Construction & Contracting	• Dubai Municipality contractor registration; • Technical qualifications of engineers; • Civil Defense approval; • Professional liability insurance.
Financial Services	• Central Bank approval (for regulated activities); • SCA registration (investment advisory); • Economic Substance Regulations compliance; • Professional indemnity insurance.
Import/Export & Customs	• Customs registration code; • Import/export permits (for regulated goods); • Chamber of Commerce membership; • Origin certificates (for certain products).

Document Category	Required Documents
Standard Banking Documents	• Trade license copy; • Memorandum of Association (MOA); • Certificate of Incorporation / Commercial Registration; • Ejari / tenancy contract; • Passport and Emirates ID copies of signatories; • Board resolution for account opening; • Signature specimen card; • UBO declaration.
Business Information	• Business plan or company profile (2-5 pages); • Projected financials (revenue projections, transaction volumes); • Proof of source of funds (for initial capital); • Professional reference letters.
Additional Documents	• Introduction letter from White Circle Group; • CV/resume of key management; • Contracts with suppliers/clients; • Banking references from previous banks (if applicable).

Document	Details
Employment Documentation	• Employment contract (MOHRE standard format); • Labour contract approval from MOHRE.
Employee Personal Documents	• Passport copy (minimum 6 months validity); • Educational certificates (attested if required); • Professional certifications (if applicable); • Passport-sized photographs.
UAE-Specific Requirements	• Previous employer NOC (if already in UAE); • Medical fitness certificate (from approved UAE centers).

Step	Process	Authority
Step 1	Notarization	Notary in country of origin
Step 2	Home country attestation	Ministry of Foreign Affairs (origin country)
Step 3	UAE Embassy attestation	UAE Embassy/Consulate (origin country)
Step 4	Final UAE attestation	UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Attestation Details	Information
Timeline	2-6 weeks depending on country
Cost	USD 200-800 per document depending on country and service speed