LLC Company Formation
Message us on Telegram or WhatsApp for fast assistance!
LLC company formation in the UAE gives you a 100% foreign-owned mainland company that can trade anywhere in the Emirates, win government contracts, and sponsor residence visas — no local partner needed for most activities since the 2021 ownership reform. Legarithm handles it end to end: activity and trade-name approval, the DED / DET licence, your office lease and Ejari, immigration and establishment cards, and corporate-tax and VAT registration, so you get a licence that is ready to operate, not just issued. Export-focused or holding assets instead? A free zone company or a UAE offshore company may suit better — or weigh every route in our wider company formation in the UAE, with ongoing corporate-tax and accounting support.
Why choose Legarithm for your mainland LLC
LLC company formation in the UAE looks simple until the details bite: the wrong activity code caps the visas you can get, an office too small blocks your quota, and a licence issued without corporate-tax and VAT registration leaves you non-compliant from day one. The licence is the easy part — making it actually operate is the work.
We start from what your business needs to do — trade, hire, bid for contracts, or open a corporate bank account — and build the LLC around it: the right activity, an office that matches your visa plan, and clean corporate-tax and VAT registration. You work with one accountable team from the first call to your first invoice, with a fixed, transparent scope, so you always know what you are paying for and what happens next.
LLC company formation in the UAE: key benefits
These are the outcomes owners actually open one for.
LLC company formation in the UAE: who it’s for
LLC company formation in the UAE suits owners who want to trade inside the local market, hire teams, or work with government — not just hold assets offshore.
Retail & trading businesses
Companies importing, distributing, or selling goods directly to UAE customers and shops.
Restaurants, F&B & services
Consumer-facing businesses that need a physical location and local licensing.
Professional & consultancy firms
Advisers, agencies, and service firms billing UAE clients and hiring locally.
Contracting & construction
Firms that need a mainland licence to bid for and deliver UAE projects.
Government-tender bidders
Businesses that require a mainland entity to qualify for public and semi-government contracts.
Teams needing many visas
Employers whose growth depends on sponsoring a larger number of residence visas.
LLC company formation in the UAE: what’s included
LLC company formation in the UAE with Legarithm is delivered as a complete, ready-to-operate package, not just a DED licence.
Activity & structuring
The right activity codes and ownership mapped to your business, visas, and banking plan.
Trade name & initial approval
Trade-name reservation and DED / DET initial approval.
MOA & licence issuance
Memorandum of association and issuance of your commercial or professional licence.
Office & Ejari
A compliant office or flexi-desk and the registered Ejari tenancy your licence requires.
Immigration file
Establishment card and e-channel / immigration registration to sponsor visas.
Residence visas
Investor and staff visa processing, medical, Emirates ID, and stamping.
Corporate-tax & VAT
FTA / EmaraTax corporate-tax registration and VAT registration where you cross the threshold.
Bank account & renewals
A bank-ready application plus annual licence renewal and compliance reminders.
Not sure if a mainland LLC is the right vehicle?
Get a consultation — a 30-minute call maps your structure, total cost, and timeline.
Mainland LLC vs free zone vs offshore: which UAE structure fits
LLC company formation in the UAE is the right call when you need to trade locally or hire — here is how a mainland LLC compares with a free zone and an offshore company.
| Feature | Mainland LLC | Free zone | Offshore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Trading in the UAE & government work | Export & regional HQ | Holding & asset protection |
| Trade inside the UAE | Yes, directly | Via a distributor only | No |
| 100% foreign ownership | Yes (most activities) | Yes | Yes |
| Corporate tax | 0% to AED 375k, then 9% | 0% on qualifying income | 0% on foreign income |
| Residence visas | Yes (office-linked) | Yes (package-linked) | No |
| Government contracts | Yes | No | No |
| Physical office | Required | Flexi-desk options | Not allowed |
Export-focused or holding assets rather than trading locally? A free zone company or a UAE offshore company may be the better route.
Start your UAE LLC company formation the right way
One consultation tells you whether a mainland LLC fits, the total cost, and the timeline for your business.
What we need from you
Setup starts the moment we have your identity, activity, and office preferences.
- Valid passport copy for every shareholder and the manager
- A recent photograph (white background)
- UAE entry stamp or visa page, if already in the country
- Proof of address issued within the last 3 months
- A short summary of your business activity and experience
How LLC company formation in the UAE works
LLC company formation in the UAE with Legarithm is a five-step process most clients complete in one to two weeks.
LLC company formation in the UAE: cost and fees
LLC company formation in the UAE has two cost layers — official government fees (licence, office, and immigration), which vary by activity and emirate, and Legarithm’s own fee, which we quote after a free consultation rather than as a fixed package price.
| Cost item | Mainland (indicative 2026) |
|---|---|
| Trade name + initial approval (government) | from AED 1,500 |
| DED / DET commercial licence (annual) | from AED 12,000–15,000 |
| Office / flexi-desk + Ejari (annual) | from AED 15,000 (varies by emirate) |
| Establishment card + immigration | from AED 2,000–5,000 |
| Residence visa (per person) | from AED 3,000–5,000 |
| Legarithm service fee | Individual · after a free consultation |
Figures are indicative for 2026 and vary by activity, emirate, and number of visas; official DED / DET fees are confirmed at quotation. Ongoing bookkeeping, corporate-tax and VAT filing run through our UAE accounting services.
LLC company formation in the UAE: FAQ
Still have questions?
Can a foreigner own 100% of a UAE mainland LLC?
Yes, for most activities. Since the 2021 reform, over a hundred commercial and industrial activities allow full foreign ownership; a short list of strategic-impact activities (such as banking, defence, and oil) still has restrictions.
Does a mainland LLC pay the 9% corporate tax?
Taxable profit up to AED 375,000 is taxed at 0%, and profit above that at 9%. You register with the FTA via EmaraTax; our UAE tax services team handles it.
Is there a minimum share capital?
No fixed statutory minimum for most standard LLCs. You declare a capital figure in the MOA — typically AED 100,000–300,000 — but are usually not required to deposit it.
Do I need a physical office?
Yes. A mainland LLC needs a real office or flexi-desk with a registered Ejari tenancy, and your visa quota is linked to that space.
Can a mainland LLC sponsor residence visas?
Yes. A mainland LLC can sponsor investor and staff visas, with the number tied to your office size — one of the main reasons owners choose mainland over offshore.
Mainland LLC or free zone — which is better?
A mainland LLC can trade across the UAE and bid for government contracts; a free zone company offers 0% on qualifying income but sells to the local market only through a distributor. It depends on where your customers are.
When do I have to register for VAT?
VAT registration becomes mandatory once your taxable turnover exceeds AED 375,000 in a 12-month period; voluntary registration is available from AED 187,500.
How long does it take?
Most mainland LLCs are licensed within one to two weeks; visas and banking follow over the next few weeks depending on the authority and bank.
We Are Always Available
Our team ensures your business setup is smooth, efficient, and compliant with local laws. Contact us today to discuss your project.
Cyprus, Nicosia
Arch. Makarios Av. III, No. 1-7, Mitsis Building 3, 3rd floor, Office 302, 1065 Nicosia
Estonia, Tallinn
Tallinn, Harju maakond, Lasnamäe linnaosa, Ruunaoja tn 3, 11415
UAE, Dubai
Building A1, Dubai Digital Park, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai, UAE
Ukraine, Kyiv
Kyiv, Mykhailo Boychuk Street, Office 3011, 01103, Ukraine
United States, New York
228 Park Ave S, New York City, New York, 10003, USA
Get in Touch
Leave your inquiry, and our legal team will get back to you as soon as possible. Initial consultation is free of charge and confidential.
Or contact us directly on:
