Mainland company formation across the UAE.
A mainland licence gives you the widest commercial reach in the country: sell to UAE customers, bid for government work, open unlimited activities and scale your team — now with full foreign ownership on most activities.
When mainland is the right structure
A mainland company is licensed by the emirate's Department of Economic Development (DED) and can operate anywhere in the UAE without the geographic limits that apply to free zones. If you plan to open a shop or restaurant, sell directly to UAE consumers and businesses, take on government and semi-government contracts, or build a larger local team, mainland is almost always the right call.
The biggest change in recent years is ownership: most commercial and industrial activities now permit 100% foreign ownership, removing the old requirement for a 51% Emirati partner. A limited list of strategic activities still requires a local partner or service agent — where that applies, we arrange a trustworthy, properly documented relationship.
Mainland setups involve more moving parts than a free zone — DED registration, activity-specific external approvals, and an office tenancy registered through Ejari — but they unlock the full UAE market. Ambizent manages the entire process across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman and the northern emirates.
Why choose a mainland company
The advantages that a free zone simply can't offer.
Trade anywhere
Sell to customers across all seven emirates with no zone boundary, and open branches wherever you grow.
Government contracts
Only mainland companies can bid for and win UAE government and semi-government tenders — a major market.
Unlimited activities & visas
Combine multiple activities under one licence and scale your visa quota with your office space.
Full ownership
100% foreign ownership on most activities, with no local partner required.
Banking-friendly
Banks generally view mainland companies favourably, which can make opening a corporate account smoother.
Credibility
A DED licence and a physical UAE presence build trust with clients, suppliers and partners.
What your mainland setup covers
From trade name to an open bank account.
We confirm your activities, whether 100% ownership applies, and arrange a compliant local agent only where the law requires it.
Reserving a compliant name and securing DED initial approval to proceed.
Drafting your Memorandum of Association and arranging a compliant office tenancy registered through Ejari.
Securing any activity-specific approvals — municipality, civil defence, RERA, health authorities and others.
DED issues your mainland licence and establishment card so you can operate and sponsor visas.
Investor visa and Emirates ID, corporate bank account matching, and Corporate Tax and VAT registration.
What you'll need for a mainland licence
We provide an exact checklist once we confirm your activity and emirate.
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- Passport-size photographs
- Proposed trade name options and chosen business activities
- Tenancy contract / Ejari for your office (we can arrange this)
- NOC from your current sponsor if you already hold a UAE visa
- Any activity-specific qualifications or approvals (for regulated activities)
The mainland setup process
Name & approval
Choose activities, reserve your trade name and obtain DED initial approval.
MOA & office
Sign the MOA and put a compliant office tenancy (Ejari) in place.
Approvals & licence
Secure any external approvals; DED issues your trade licence and establishment card.
Visa & bank
Process your investor visa and Emirates ID, then open your corporate bank account.
Frequently asked questions
Yes — most mainland commercial and industrial activities now allow full foreign ownership with no Emirati partner. A short list of strategic activities still requires a local partner or service agent, which we arrange and document properly.
Most mainland licences require a real office tenancy registered through Ejari, and your office size influences how many visas you can sponsor. We offer compliant office and flexi-desk options to match your needs and budget.
Mainland setups typically start higher than free zones because of registration and office requirements, and the exact figure depends on your activities, emirate and office. Use the cost calculator for an indicative number, then we confirm a fixed quote.
All seven — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain. We advise on which emirate suits your activity and cost expectations.
Straightforward activities can be licensed within about a week once documents and the office are in place. Activities needing external approvals (for example from the municipality or a sector regulator) take longer; we manage those approvals for you.
Your visa quota is tied to your office space rather than being truly unlimited, but mainland companies can scale far more freely than most free-zone packages. We size your office to the team you plan to hire.
Banks often view mainland companies favourably because of their local substance and ability to trade domestically, which can make account opening smoother. We assess your specific profile and match you to the right bank either way.
Ready to start your UAE company?
Book a free consultation and get a fixed, all-in quote for your licence, visas and bank account — usually within one business day.