Setting up a mainland business in DUBAI UAE.

Our business is to help you do your business, there are many steps that need to be taken to setup your mainland license business in Dubai UAE. A mainland business is a legal entity registered under the DED (Dubai Economic Department). Mainland registered businesses are permitted to trade freely in the UAE and GCC which gives it the added advantage in terms of growth and opportunities in comparison to a freezone entity. 

Having to set up your own business can be a time-consuming and frustrating experience for someone doing this for the first time. That's the reason why some things are best left to the professionals. Keep your mind clear and focused on your business, and leave the rest to us. Below are the steps needed to set up a mainland license in the UAE;

• Finding a local sponsor to act as the service agent for your business in the UAE.  
• Decide on a business license activity that best suits your business.
• Trade name registration. 
• Acquiring any initial and any special approvals if needed depending on the license and business activity. 
• Getting an office space and acquiring inspection approval from the municipality. 
• Getting a memorandum of association (MOA) notarized by the public notary (only for LLC company). 
• Acquiring initial approval for trade license.   
• Processing all documents and obtaining a payment voucher to pay for a trade license. 
• Paying the trade license fee. 
• Applying for and obtaining an establishment card.  
• Visa processing for partners and employees. 

We can ensure a smooth and stress-free process. All the processing and arrangements will be done by our experts. 

A sole establishment is owned by a single owner (sole proprietor) who is the owner of 100% of the establishment. A non-UAE national or non-GCC national can appoint a UAE national to be a local service agent for the establishment. The local agent will be paid an annual fee (sponsorship fee) for representing the establishment in liaising with government entities in the areas of licenses and labor approvals. 

The Sole establishment LLC is very similar in nature to the Sole Establishment license. The main difference would be that a Sole Establishment LLC’s owner’s liability is limited to the amount invested in the business and he/she is legally distinct from that establishment. 

A civil company is basically a business partnership for professionals, and the share holders of the civil company can be of any nationality. A local service agent is needed in the case that none of the shareholders are UAE nationals or GCC nationals. The local service agent is paid a yearly sponsorship fee for his involvement with the company and assists with acquiring the needed documents and approvals from governments entities in regards to labor, immigration and business licensing. A civil company is 100 percent owned by its shareholders and does not require a minimum capital to set up.  

A limited liability company license is the most popular type of license acquired by investors as it has a wider scope. A limited liability company can practice in industrial, commercial, tourism or professional activities, provided their commerce is related to that activity and they have the necessary approvals.

A limited liability company can have 2 to 50 partners, a local sponsor (sleeping partner) would be mandatory if none of the partners are UAE or GCC nationals. The local sponsor must be a 51 percent shareholder in the company as per UAE customary law; the local sponsor does not usually have any involvement in the business nor any shares of profits or loss in general. A yearly sponsorship fee is paid to the local sponsor for his/her involvement and assistance.