Mainland Company Setup in UAE
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UAE mainland company setup gives you a DET-licensed company that can trade anywhere in the UAE, sell directly to the local market, win government tenders and sponsor visas — with 100% foreign ownership now available across 1,000+ activities. Compare it with a free zone or offshore structure before you decide.
From licence and office to visas and corporate tax, Legarithm handles the full mainland formation and keeps you compliant afterwards.
Why run your UAE mainland company setup with Legarithm
The mainland gives you the widest reach in the UAE — but it also carries the most moving parts: activity approvals, an Ejari office, MOHRE work-permit quotas, corporate tax and VAT all interact. Get the activity and structure right at the start and the licence is fast and clean; get them wrong and you pay for amendments, extra approvals and lost time.
As a licensed UAE corporate services provider, we choose the right activities and legal form, secure the DET licence and Ejari office, process visas and set up corporate-tax and VAT registration — one team, one clear quote. We’ll also tell you honestly when a free zone such as IFZA or RAKEZ, or an offshore holding, fits you better — and add legal and accounting & tax under one roof.
UAE mainland company setup: key benefits
UAE mainland company setup combines 100% ownership with unrestricted access to the domestic market.
Who mainland suits
UAE mainland company setup suits businesses that sell inside the UAE and want no territorial limits.
Retail, F&B & showrooms
Businesses serving UAE customers directly from shops, restaurants or showrooms.
Contractors & trades
Construction, fit-out and technical firms working across the emirates.
Professional & consulting firms
Advisers and agencies billing UAE clients without a distributor.
Government suppliers
Companies bidding for public-sector and government tenders.
UAE-wide distributors
Traders that need to sell across the local market, not just export.
Mainland licence types
Your UAE mainland company setup is built around one of these DET licence types, matched to your activities.
Commercial licence
Trading, retail, distribution and general commerce.
Professional licence
Consultancy, services and skilled professions (sole establishment or LLC).
Industrial licence
Manufacturing, production and assembly.
Tourism licence
Travel, hospitality and tourism activities regulated by DET Tourism.
General Trading licence
Trade a broad range of goods across sectors under one licence.
Not sure which licence or activities fit?
Tell us what you do and we’ll map it to the right DET licence.
Mainland vs Free zone vs Offshore
See where UAE mainland company setup sits against a free zone and an offshore structure.
| Feature | Mainland | Free zone | Offshore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Selling across the UAE | Export & regional business | Holding & asset protection |
| Foreign ownership | 100% (most activities) | 100% | 100% |
| UAE market trade | Direct | Via distributor | No |
| Government tenders | Yes | Generally no | No |
| Residence visas | Yes (office-gated) | Yes | No |
| Physical office | Required (Ejari) | Flexi-desk options | Not required |
| Corporate tax | 0% to AED 375k, then 9% | 0% qualifying, else 9% | Exempt if no UAE income |
| Setup time | 3–5 working days | A few days | 1–2 weeks |
Start your UAE mainland company setup with a licensed local partner.
We manage the DET licence, Ejari office, visas and corporate-tax registration end to end.
Mainland eligibility & documents
What individuals and corporate shareholders need, plus activity and compliance rules.
- Valid passport copy (all shareholders and managers)
- UAE entry stamp or visa page (if applicable)
- Recent passport-size photograph on a white background
- Proof of residential address
- No-objection certificate (NOC) from a current UAE employer, where applicable
How UAE mainland company setup works
Here is how UAE mainland company setup runs — five steps with realistic timelines.
UAE mainland company setup cost
UAE mainland company setup cost depends on activity, office and visas; the table shows official DET/government fees only.
| Item | Official fee (2026) |
|---|---|
| Trade name & initial approval | Official fee |
| DET trade licence (annual) | From AED 15,000 |
| Ejari office tenancy registration | Official fee |
| Market fee (2.5%–5% of annual office rent) | % of rent |
| Establishment (immigration) card | Official fee |
* Official DET/government fees only. They exclude office rent, per-visa medical/Emirates ID costs and Legarithm’s service fee. The real first-year total for a commercial licence typically runs AED 25,000–50,000+ depending on activity, office and number of visas; renewal is usually AED 8,000–15,000. Legarithm provides a transparent all-in quote on request.
UAE mainland company setup: FAQ
Still have questions?
How long does UAE mainland company setup take?
Initial approval is often issued within 24 hours and the full DET licence in about 3 to 5 working days; visas and bank-account opening add two to six weeks and run in parallel.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a mainland company?
Yes — 100% foreign ownership applies to 1,000+ commercial, professional and industrial activities. Only a small number of strategic activities still require a UAE-national partner.
Do I need a local sponsor?
Not for most activities. Certain professional or branch set-ups use a local service agent who holds no equity and takes an annual fee; we confirm this per activity.
Do I need a physical office?
Yes. A mainland company needs a physical office with a registered Ejari tenancy — flexi-desks are not accepted for visas.
How many visas can a mainland company sponsor?
There is no fixed statutory cap; your quota is set by office size and the MOHRE work-permit approval for your activity.
What corporate tax and VAT apply?
Corporate tax is 0% up to AED 375,000 of taxable income and 9% above; VAT of 5% applies once turnover passes the threshold. See accounting & tax.
Can a mainland company win government tenders?
Yes — mainland companies can bid for public-sector and government contracts that free-zone companies generally cannot.
Mainland or free zone — which should I choose?
Choose mainland to sell across the UAE and to government; choose a free zone for export-focused business or lower cost. We advise per case.
Can I move a free-zone company to the mainland?
Often yes — you can convert or add a mainland licence (a dual-licence route via DAFZA is one option). We review your current structure first.
Can you handle licence, office, visas and legal together?
Yes — we deliver the licence, Ejari office, visas, corporate tax and legal support as one team.
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.
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