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Mainland Company Formation in Dubai

An investor can apply online to start his or her own business on the UAE mainland in as little as 15 minutes. Ordinarily, starting a business necessitates a series of steps, procedures, and approvals from the Economic Department and other government entities. This page describes such steps as well as the investor's journey to establish a business on the UAE mainland.

TYPE OF LICENSE TYPE

Professional License

Is designed for skilled professionals in specific fields, aimed at service-oriented companies like business consultancy, management, IT, lawyers, and healthcare.

PROFESSIONAL LICENSE
Businessmen

Commercial License

The Commercial License, issued in Dubai's Free Zones, regulates and protects businesses involved in commercial activities, offering support structures and trade incentives.

COMMERCIAL LICENSE
Mall

Industrial License

The Industrial License is for businesses producing new products from natural or raw materials, requiring an office address within a Dubai Free Zone.

INDUSTRIAL LICENSE
Industrial Mining

Tourism License

The Tourism License permits businesses to operate in Dubai's tourism industries, including outbound tour operators, inbound tour operators, and travel agencies.

TOURISM LICENSE
Laptop and Phone

Trade licenses in Dubai dictate enterprise activity areas, promoting industry growth. They regulate sectors, direct company procedures, facilitate market relationships, and identify jurisdictions. To determine the most suitable trade license for your business, consult a business formation professional at Corporate 1948. This helps in enhancing transparency and customer service.

Identify business activity

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Business activity is the basis for selecting the legal form and type of license, whether commercial, industrial or professional, etc. There are six types of licenses. They are: industrial, commercial, professional, tourism, agricultural and occupational.

Notes:

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  • An investment/business can have more than one business activity.

  • There are more than 2,000 business activities to choose from in the UAE.

 

Select the legal form

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The legal form depends mainly on the business requirements. Moreover, the legal form is basis for identifying applicable laws and regulations. In the UAE, an investor can select one of these legal forms:​

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Sole Proprietorship

The company is owned by a single individual with 100% stockholders, ensuring the owner is fully accountable for its operations, gains, and liabilities.

Civil Company

Dubai's civil business structure enables international professionals to partner in providing medical, legal, engineering, and consulting services.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

This corporate structure allows 1-50 partners, limited liability, share-based profit and loss, private ownership, profit repatriation, and protection through global double tax treaties.

Representative Office

A limited-function corporate structure enables a foreign company's branch to handle UAE-related business issues, but only for promotional and marketing purposes, requiring a local service representative.

Branch of a Foreign Company

This corporate structure allows a foreign company to establish a Dubai branch as its local headquarters, following Dubai and UAE regulations, with the main firm fully owning the branch.

Note: the legal form of the business must match the business activity.

Mainland Company Setup Procedure

01

Identifying a business activity

02

Selecting an appropriate legal form

03

Registering the trade name

04

Applying for an initial approval

05

Drafting a Memorandum of Association

06

Select a business location

07

Get additional government approvals

08

Submit documents & collect the License 

Required Documents for Individual Shareholders

Passport Copy (Valid for at least 6 months) 

Memorandum of Association 

Visa Page Copy (if applicable) 

Emirates ID (if applicable) 

Passport-sized Photos 

Personal Information Sheet or Application Form 

3 Name Choices

Required Documents for Corporate Shareholder

Company Trade License / Certificate of Incorporation 

Memorandum of Association 

Board of Resolution for Company Setup and Appointment of Authorized Signatory 

3 Name Choices 

Passport copy of Company Manager 

Visa copy of Company Manager 

Emirates ID of Company Manager

Benefits of mainland company formation in Dubai​

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There are several advantages to registering your corporation on the mainland. A mainland firm establishment promises a good future for your business operations and professional interests. Mainland firms provide a wide range of trading opportunities, complete ownership, and location freedom. These are just a some of the reasons why businesses choose to create a mainland firm in the UAE.

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  • Location flexibility and zero trade restrictions

  • Broad working scope

  • Access to lucrative government contracts

  • 100% ownership control of mainland business entities

  • 2000+ Business Activity Options

 

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Integrates Easily with Industry-Leading Software

Corporate 1948 is a well-known business setup service provider in Dubai and the UAE, with more than a decade of experience. We provide a wide range of services to help businesses start and grow in the region. Their services include assisting in the selection of the appropriate business structure, ensuring compliance with ownership objectives, liability exposure, and tax implications, and obtaining all required licenses and permits to operate. Their goal is to help businesses get started quickly and easily, ensuring market success.

Business Meeting of Two Men Walking in the Hall

Contact

Office #417 - 4th Floor,

Al Arif Shipping Building Port Saeed Deira,

Al Garhoud Road – Dubai

(Opposite of Deira City Centre - Beside J5 Hotels)

Landline No. :  0423 6334 8

Mobile No.    :  0553 9194 80

General Inquiries:
info@corporate1948.com

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