Department of Economy and Tourism & UAE DED
Mainland Company Formation in UAE
100% Expat Ownership & Unrestricted UAE Trade
Secure premier corporate banking facilities in the UAE for local and foreign offshore holding companies (RAK ICC, JAFZA Offshore, BVI, Cayman Islands, Seychelles). Maintain global multi-currency liquidity, asset protection, and frictionless cross-border settlements with expert compliance representation.
Tailored Licensing Solutions
Mainland Trade License Categories
Under UAE Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021, foreign investors enjoy 100% ownership across over 1,000+ commercial, industrial, and professional commercial activities without needing a local sponsor.
Commercial License
For general trading, retail, wholesale, e-commerce, and import/export of physical goods.
- 100% foreign shareholder ownership
- Import & export directly via UAE customs
- Open physical stores & warehouses anywhere
- General trading activity packages available
Professional License
For IT services, consultancy, marketing agencies, digital media, engineering, and artisans.
- 100% foreign equity and full control
- Deliver services directly to UAE clients
- Low setup costs with flexible office options
- Fast-track bank account eligibility
Industrial License
For manufacturing, assembly, food processing, packaging, and raw material transformation.
- 100% ownership in industrial manufacturing
- Ministry of Industry & Advanced Tech (MoIAT) approval
- Duty-free raw material imports & GCC export
- Custom factory & warehouse zoning support
Tourism & Hospitality
For travel agencies, inbound/outbound tour operators, hotels, restaurants, and event planners.
- Dubai DET tourism department registration
- Issue UAE tourist visas & package tours
- Prime commercial storefront locations in Dubai
- High consumer trust & corporate partnerships
Strategic Jurisdiction Choice
Mainland vs. Free Zone Comparison
Understand why ambitious enterprises choose a UAE Mainland license for maximum operational freedom and direct domestic market penetration.
| Feature / Capability | UAE Mainland (DED / DET) | UAE Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
|
UAE Domestic Market Reach
|
Unrestricted: Trade directly with B2B & B2C consumers across all 7 Emirates without an intermediary. | Restricted: Can only trade within free zone or internationally; requires local distributor/agent for local retail. |
|
Government Tenders & Bidding
|
Eligible: Fully authorized to bid for lucrative UAE federal and municipal government contracts. | Ineligible: Cannot directly bid on mainland UAE government or public sector tenders. |
|
Office & Premise Location
|
Anywhere: Rent commercial offices, showrooms, retail shops, or warehouses anywhere in the UAE. | Confined: Office premises must be physically located within that specific Free Zone's boundaries. |
|
Employee Visa Allocations
|
Unlimited: Scale your team without caps; visa quota is determined flexibly by your office Ejari square footage. | Capped: Subject to strict package limits and specific Free Zone authority visa quotas. |
|
Corporate Bank Account Approval
|
Highest Bank Rating: Preferred by Tier-1 UAE banks due to physical local presence and strict economic substance. | Standard: Requires clear proof of physical operations and business invoices to pass compliance. |
|
Foreign Ownership
|
100% Expat Ownership across 1,000+ commercial, industrial, and service activities. | 100% Expat Ownership across all designated free zone activities. |
Hassle-Free Onboarding
Mainland Formation Process & Documents
FinAssist handles all legal paperwork, DED name approvals, MOA notarization, and Ejari registration for a seamless 3 to 5-day setup.
Activity Selection
Select business activities and verify 100% foreign ownership eligibility.
Name & Initial Approval
Reserve your legal trade name with DED/DET and receive initial clearance.
MOA Notarization
Draft Memorandum of Association (MOA) and execute digital notarization.
Office Lease / Ejari
Secure physical desk, business center suite, or commercial office with Ejari.
License & Visas
Receive official DED Trade License, investor visas, and corporate bank account.
For Individual Shareholders
Minimal documentation for foreign expats & residents
- Clear color copy of Passport (minimum 6 months validity)
- UAE Tourist Visa / Entry Stamp page or Emirates ID copy (if resident)
- Passport size photograph with white background
- 3 Proposed Company Trade Names in order of preference
For Foreign Corporate / Branch Setup
Setting up a subsidiary or branch of an existing company
- Certificate of Incorporation & Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Board Resolution approving UAE Mainland branch setup and appointed Manager
- Power of Attorney (POA) for appointed UAE representative
- Attestation by UAE Embassy in home country & MOFA UAE
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to common questions about foreign ownership, office Ejari requirements, visas, and corporate bank accounts.
No. Following the landmark UAE Commercial Companies Law amendments (Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021), foreign expats and international investors can own 100% of their mainland commercial, industrial, and professional LLC companies without appointing a 51% local UAE national partner. Only a few strategic activities (such as oil & gas extraction and security defense) still require special government authorization.
With FinAssist Advisory’s direct digital integration with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), initial trade name approvals are secured within 24 hours, and your full mainland trade license can be issued within 3 to 5 business days once initial approvals and office lease documents are finalized.
Yes, every UAE mainland license requires a registered physical address documented through an official Ejari tenancy contract. However, for early-stage startups and consulting firms, you do not need an expensive standalone lease; you can utilize cost-effective serviced office suites, dedicated desks, or approved business center spaces through FinAssist Coworking facilities to fulfill all DED compliance requirements.
Yes. Unlike Freezone companies which are restricted from conducting direct retail and commercial transactions within the mainland without an intermediary agent, a UAE Mainland license grants you total freedom to conduct B2B and B2C trade anywhere in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and across all seven Emirates, as well as export globally.
Yes. FinAssist provides an all-inclusive setup package. As soon as your mainland trade license is issued, our dedicated banking team pre-screens your corporate file with Tier-1 UAE banks (including Emirates NBD, Mashreq, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, and Wio) to secure swift corporate banking onboarding, while simultaneously managing your investor and employee residency visas and Emirates IDs.
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