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Licensebox offers assistance at every single stage of the company incorporation process in Dubai. From preparing your documents to obtaining all the necessary approvals, we’ll ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience for company incorporation.
Process of Business Setup in Dubai Mainland
Mainland company Formation in Dubai
Dubai is a land filled with endless business opportunities. The city offers world-class infrastructure, business-friendly legislation, tax benefits and a stable economy. Due to its strategic location, Dubai provides easy access to European, Asian and African markets. Therefore, it is a great idea to start a mainland company in Dubai.
A mainland company in Dubai is a company registered with/licensed by the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) to operate legally in Dubai. Mainland companies generally tend to participate in several activities like industrial, commercial, trading, tourism-related or professional activities.
By choosing mainland company formation in Dubai, you can conduct business freely across UAE and beyond without any geographical limitations. Also, you can get access to lucrative government tenders and contracts which are typically unavailable to free zone companies in Dubai. So, what’s stopping you? Reach out to Licensebox and we’ll make sure your Dubai mainland company setup is done in the smoothest and easiest way possible!
Requirements for Dubai Mainland Company Formation
The following is the Eligibility Criteria for Dubai Mainland Company Formation:
- Previously, at least 51% ownership of the mainland company was required to be with a local sponsor/shareholder with UAE nationality. This is no longer required.
- Obtaining a mainland license is necessary for a mainland company.
- Physical office space for a mainland company is a must.
- The company must meet the minimum capital requirement for specific business activity.
- Valid UAE Visa is mandatory to be eligible for mainland company formation
- NOC from the local sponsor.
- Corporate Bank must be opened in Dubai.
- Authorization from government authorities based on the type of business activity.
The following list of documents is required for opening a Dubai company in a free zone:
- Certified Passport Copy and UAE Visa/UAE entry stamp
- Proof of Address.
- Bank or Professional Reference Letter.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) which provides a summary of professional history
- Company Application Form.
- Shareholder details.
- Business card.
- Business plan outlay.
- Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Articles of Association (AoA)
There are multiple key steps involved in the process of mainland company formation in Dubai, UAE. Completion of each and every step is essential, and taking help of a professional can make the entire process easier for you. Here is each step in detail.
Step 1: Choose the Legal Entity Type
Identify the nature of your business. Based on this, you must choose the legal entity type. If you want to know which legal entity type would be appropriate for the business activities you plan to undertake, you can speak with Licensebox consultants. Your chosen business activities will decide the licenses and any other necessary permits that’ll be required. So choose carefully and wisely.
Step 2: Get your Trade Name Registered
Once you have decided on the business activities and legal entity type for your company, it’s now time to reserve your trade name. This is an essential requirement. Make sure that your business’s chosen activity is reflected in the trade name of your company and ensure its approval from the concerned authority before using it officially.
To obtain approval, make sure that the trade name doesn’t already exist and that it hasn’t been registered previously. Also, the trade name must not be offensive in nature.
Step 3: Choose Your Business Location
You need a physical office space to run a mainland company in Dubai. Make sure it is in compliance with the DED, local municipalities, regulations and policies. Depending on your business requirements and budget, you can decide on the size of your office.
Step 4: Apply for Additional Government Approvals
The UAE government mandates additional approvals for certain business activities from relevant authorities. These activities include educational services, travel and tourism activities, health care activities and RTA activities.
Before commencing operations for any of these operations, the mainland companies are required to seek and obtain the required approval from the concerned authorities. Also, if your business name is in English, you are required to submit a certain amount of fees. In contrast, if the business name is in Arabic, it is free of charge and you can save up on Dubai mainland company formation cost.
Step 5: Pay Fees and Collect License
Now, it’s time to pay fees once all the above-mentioned steps are completed. You must submit all the required paperwork with the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) when you submit all your documents. After receiving the approval of DED, you can collect your mainland license and start with your business journey in Dubai!
Mainland Company Types
There are various types of mainland companies in Dubai. They are as follows:
Sole Proprietorship
This type of business is owned by a sole proprietor who is personally liable for all financial obligations and liabilities incurred by the business.
Civil Company
A civil company is owned by two or more partners practicing a professional activity such as consultancy, training, beauty salons, tailors.
Limited Liability Company
It is a business entity in which the liability of the partners is limited to their capital share.
General Partnership
A general partnership consists of two or more partners who are jointly and separately liable for the company’s obligations using their personal funds.
Private Shareholding Company
Also known as a private point shareholding company. This type of company is compatible with all kinds of commercial and industrial activities other than professional business.
Public Shareholding Company
A public shareholding company is also known as Public Joint Stock Company (PJSC) in the UAE. In a PJSC, the capital gets divided into shares of equal value, and the liability of each partner is limited to their share in the company’s capital.
Branch of a Foreign Company
A branch of a foreign company is a company’s dedicated outlet in the UAE. Branch offices act as an operational vessel to develop a company’s presence in new locations and improve prospects of revenue and sales.
Joint Venture
Joint venture is a kind of business setup wherein two or more businesses collaborate to form a new business entity. The profits and losses of a joint venture are shared by partners equally.
Benefits of Setup a Company in Dubai Mainland
Here are some of the benefits of mainland company incorporation in Dubai:
- The business owners of mainland companies in Dubai get 100% foreign ownership. They also have full control over their businesses.
- Mainland companies can trade freely in UAE as well as internationally due to which their businesses get greater market access.
- A mainland license has global recognition, so a company with this license has an enhanced reputation and credibility.
- Mainland businesses can choose their office anywhere in Dubai whereas free zone companies can only be registered in free zones. This gives mainland companies an advantage over free zone companies.
Mainland Company Formation in Dubai Made Easy with Licensebox!
Opening a mainland company in Dubai seems like a great business opportunity you do not want to miss on. However, the process to set up a company in Dubai mainland might seem a bit complicated. But worry not! The consultants at Licensebox have got your back. We’ll provide you with our expert guidance and support at each and every stage of company formation in Dubai mainland. We will ensure that the entire process of your mainland company registration in Dubai happens smoothly and that it fulfills all the legal requirements at the same time.
We will help you to obtain the mainland license from Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) so that you can carry out your business operations in Dubai as soon as possible. We will help you with the entire documentation process, and will also file the application on your behalf. We’ll keep you regularly updated regarding the progress of the application filed with DED.
If you want to get business setup in mainland Dubai, getting in touch with Licensebox’s experienced Dubai company registration consultants will save you a lot of time, money and unnecessary stress. Connect with Licensebox now for UAE Mainland Company formation!
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Testimonials
Malavika Sen
Kolkata, India"I approached Licensebox to help me with trademark registration in Canada, and I am beyond satisfied with their service. As an entrepreneur based in India, I was initially overwhelmed by the complicatedness of international trademark laws. However, the team at Licensebox made the entire process straightforward and stress-free for me."
Adya Sharma
New Delhi, India"Seeking assistance from Licensebox for my company’s registration in Singapore has been an absolute gamechanger. I want to thank everyone at Licensebox for helping me in incorporating my company in Singapore. If anyone wants to set up a company in Singapore, I wholeheartedly recommend Licensebox - they’re the best in business!"
Priyanka Sharma,
Bangalore, Karnataka"I contacted Licensebox for help with trademark registration in the UK. They helped me gather all the required documents for trademark registration and also in filing the application with the concerned authority. If you’re looking for assistance in trademark registration, I recommend you to approach Licensebox. You won’t be disappointed."
Anil Rajput
Pune, Maharashtra"I consulted with Licensebox for company incorporation in UAE, and I couldn’t be happier with the service I received. I never thought it’d be so easy to get my company incorporated in a country with rules and regulations I was unfamiliar with but Licensebox made it seem like a cakewalk"
FAQs on UAE Mainland Company Incorporation
A. Dubai mainland company is a company licensed by the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) to do business in the UAE and outside it.
A. Although previously a local sponsor or shareholder with UAE nationality was required for opening a Dubai mainland company with 51% ownership, it is no longer mandatory. You can open a mainland company in Dubai with 100% foreign ownership now.
A. Yes, obtaining a UAE business visa is a mandatory requirement to run a mainland company in Dubai.
A. The mainland company can conduct its business within and outside UAE. However, a free zone company cannot conduct its business outside its jurisdiction.
