Mainland Company Setup in the UAE
Licensed through the Department of Economic Development, a mainland company can trade UAE-wide and internationally, without the activity restrictions some free zones carry.
Mainland company setup is the route most businesses take when they need to trade directly with the local UAE market, bid on government tenders, or operate under a wide range of activities on a single licence. It's issued by the Department of Economic Development (DED) in the relevant emirate rather than a free zone authority, and it's the only structure with no restriction on where within the UAE you can do business.
Who mainland setup suits
- Businesses that need to invoice and deal directly with UAE mainland customers
- Retail, F&B, healthcare, construction and other physically-located activities
- Companies bidding for government or semi-government contracts
- Businesses whose activity list is broader than a single free zone's permitted activities
Ownership rules
Under current UAE Commercial Companies Law, 100% foreign ownership is available for the large majority of mainland commercial and industrial activities. A short list of activities considered strategically sensitive (defence-related, certain security services) still requires UAE national participation or a local service agent arrangement - we confirm this against your specific activity code before you commit to anything.
Mainland entity types
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
The standard structure for trading, services, and industrial activities. Supports 100% foreign ownership for most activities and up to 50 shareholders.
Sole Establishment
A single-owner structure for professional or individual-licence activities, with the owner personally liable for the business's obligations.
Civil Company
Used for professional partnerships - law firms, accounting practices, medical practices - between qualified professionals.
Branch of a Foreign Company
An extension of an existing overseas company, licensed to operate in the UAE without incorporating a fresh subsidiary.
Mainland vs. free zone, in short
The trade-off is straightforward: mainland gives you unrestricted UAE-wide trading access at the cost of typically requiring physical office space and a slightly longer setup process. If your business model is built around free zone-based activity - consulting, media, holding, or import/export routed through the zone - free zone company setup is usually the faster and cheaper path instead. Unsure which fits? See the full mainland vs. free zone vs. offshore comparison.
Setup process
Activity & DED authority assessment
We confirm which emirate's DED and which specific activity codes apply to your business.
Trade name reservation & initial approval
Reserved with the relevant DED, alongside initial approval to proceed.
Memorandum of Association
Drafted and signed, reflecting shareholders, activity, and share capital where applicable.
Office lease / Ejari registration
Physical premises confirmed and registered, required before licence issuance for most mainland activities.
Licence issuance
The DED trade licence is issued once all approvals and fees are finalised.
Visa quota & Establishment Card
Immigration file opened and visa quota allocated based on office size and activity.
Mainland setup questions, answered.
For the large majority of mainland activities, no - 100% foreign ownership is available under current UAE Commercial Companies Law. A local service agent (with no ownership stake) applies to a small number of professional licence types, and a local partner only to the narrow list of strategically sensitive activities.
Yes - a mainland licence allows trading across all seven Emirates and internationally, without the activity or geographic restrictions that apply to some free zone companies.
Yes, for most mainland activities a registered office (with an Ejari tenancy contract) is a licensing requirement, unlike many free zone flexi-desk options.
Start your mainland company setup.
Tell us your activity and target emirate and we'll confirm the right DED authority, licence type and cost.