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.
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.
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.
Tourism License
The Tourism License permits businesses to operate in Dubai's tourism industries, including outbound tour operators, inbound tour operators, and travel agencies.
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.
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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
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Selecting an appropriate legal form
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Registering the trade name
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Applying for an initial approval
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Drafting a Memorandum of Association
06
Select a business location
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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
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Broad working scope
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Access to lucrative government contracts
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100% ownership control of mainland business entities
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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.