Mainland UAE company formation,
DED-licensed in 5–7 days.
Dubai DED or Abu Dhabi DED licence — 100% foreign ownership for most activities since 2021. Itemised AED pricing. Online application. We focus on Dubai and Abu Dhabi only — service depth over geographic spread.
- Standard timeline
- 5–7 d
- Ownership
- 100%
- Min capital
- AED 1
- From
- AED 22k
Trade anywhere in the UAE.
A UAE mainland company is licensed by an emirate's Department of Economic Development (Dubai DED, Abu Dhabi DED) to operate without zone restrictions. It can serve UAE customers directly, bid on government tenders, and open in any commercial premises. Free zone companies cannot do these things on the mainland without a distributor — that's the core distinction.
Dubai mainland
from AED 22,000Dubai DED licence — the most common mainland route. 1,000+ activity codes.
Abu Dhabi mainland
from AED 24,000Abu Dhabi DED licence with ADIO incentives for strategic activities.
LLC structure
Limited Liability Company — the workhorse mainland structure. 1–50 shareholders.
Sole establishment
Single-owner professional licence. 100% liability, lower setup cost.
Civil company
Partnership for licensed professionals (consultants, doctors, lawyers).
100% foreign ownership
Post-2021 reform under Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021. Whitelist + restricted activities.
Mainland vs free zone
Side-by-side comparison: cost, ownership, market access, visa quota, taxation.
Local sponsor vs LSA
When you still need a UAE national. Service agent (LSA) vs partner.
Setup cost
Itemised cost calculator — DED + name + notary + Ejari + visa quota + YABS fee.
Pre-built mainland packages.
Each package bundles the DED licence with the ministry approvals and ancillary permits your specific industry needs. Activity codes, itemised costs, realistic timelines, document checklists.
Frequently asked questions
What is a UAE mainland company?
A UAE mainland company is a business licensed by an emirate's Department of Economic Development (Dubai DED, Abu Dhabi DED, etc.) to operate anywhere in the UAE without zone restrictions. It can serve UAE customers directly, bid on government tenders, and open offices in any commercial premises.
Which emirate's DED should I register with?
Choose Dubai DED if you'll operate primarily in Dubai or want maximum prestige and activity range (1,000+ codes). Choose Abu Dhabi DED if you'll target government contracts in the capital or use ADIO incentives. Setup cost is similar; activity availability varies. YABS handles both.
How long does mainland company formation take?
Standard activities: 5–7 working days from initial DED application to trade licence issuance. Regulated activities (healthcare via DHA/MOHAP, education via KHDA/ADEK, financial services via SCA, real estate via RERA) extend the timeline to 15–30 working days due to ministry pre-approval.
Can I own a mainland company 100% as a foreigner?
Yes, for most activities. The UAE Commercial Companies Law amendment (Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021) removed the mandatory UAE national partner requirement for the majority of mainland activities. A small negative list — oil, gas, certain strategic sectors — still requires Emirati ownership.
What's the difference between mainland and free zone?
Mainland companies can trade directly with UAE customers and bid on government tenders. Free zone companies cannot trade in the UAE market without a distributor and are limited to their zone or international markets. Both allow 100% foreign ownership since 2021. Mainland fits B2C and UAE-targeted B2B; free zone fits export and holding structures.
What does a mainland trade licence cost in 2026?
Dubai DED government fees for a standard mainland LLC range AED 9,000–18,000 depending on activity, approvals, and visa quota. Add YABS service fee plus 5% VAT on the service fee. Total typical cost AED 22,000–45,000 fully delivered. Industry packages with ministry approvals (restaurant, medical, education) cost more.
Can I run a mainland company from a virtual office?
Some activities yes, others no. Post-2023 Dubai DED policy requires dedicated physical office for trading, food service, retail, and most regulated activities. Professional and consultancy licences typically still accept flexi-desk or virtual office with Ejari registration. Check with your specific activity.
Do mainland companies pay corporate tax in the UAE?
Yes. UAE mainland companies registered with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) pay 9% corporate tax on taxable income exceeding AED 375,000 per financial year, effective for periods starting on or after June 1, 2023. Small business relief is available under AED 3 million annual revenue. Filing is via EmaraTax.
What documents do I need for mainland company formation?
Passport copies of all shareholders, completed DED application, proposed trade name, NOC if any shareholder is an existing UAE resident employee, tenancy agreement registered through Ejari, and Memorandum of Association attested by a Dubai Notary Public. Regulated activities require additional ministry approvals.
How many visas can I sponsor with a mainland licence?
Visa quota depends on office space — Dubai DED applies a square-footage-to-visa ratio. A typical 200 sqft office supports 3–5 visas; larger offices support more. Flexi-desk arrangements have lower quotas (typically 1–3). Quota is allocated by MOHRE in tiers and can be increased by adding office space.
Ready to start?
Apply online in 4 steps. Itemised AED quote, no sales-call gate.
This page was last reviewed by the YABS compliance team in Q2 2026 and reflects current Dubai DED, Dubai Municipality, DHA, MOHRE, FTA, and DLD requirements.