Masar Al Ameen Business Setup

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Mainland Company Setup

Set up your Mainland Company in UAE with a click

Is the Mainland company the right choice for you? Choose from over 3,000 business activities and enjoy the freedom to trade anywhere in the UAE and overseas.
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Establishing a mainland company in the UAE offers numerous benefits, including extensive trade opportunities, 100% ownership, and location flexibility. These advantages make it a popular choice for entrepreneurs.
  • Allows for 100% foreign ownership
  • Ability to conduct business anywhere in the UAE
  • Own and rent office spaces within Dubai mainland
  • Do business with government entities
  • Fewer nationality restrictions for obtaining a trade license
  • Easier to open bank accounts, especially with traditional banks
  • Scalability of a business is much easier by adding more visas to the trade license
To register a company in Dubai, having a physical office space is not a mandatory. Masar Al Ameen Business Setup's co-working DED package is an ideal solution to help you get started.
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Advantages of a
Dubai Mainland License

Freedom to Operate Anywhere

One of the key advantages of obtaining a Dubai Mainland License is the freedom to conduct business anywhere. UAE mainland companies can operate across the entire country, including free zones, and internationally.

Stronger Market Presence

A DED Mainland License allows you to establish your physical company anywhere in the UAE, enhancing your presence and offering the flexibility to expand branches throughout the country.

Ability to Work with Government Bodies

Companies with Mainland Licenses are eligible to secure government contracts. The UAE government often requires specialized contractors for high-value projects, providing you the chance to bid on lucrative and challenging opportunities.

No Currency Restrictions

The Dubai Mainland License imposes no currency restrictions, allowing companies to fully repatriate funds from both offshore and onshore bank accounts in the UAE.

No Visa Limitations

UAE mainland companies face no restrictions on expanding their visa quotas under a business license. While additional physical space may be needed as the business grows, scaling up is generally straightforward.

Financial Viability

Companies with a Dubai Mainland License enjoy the same benefits as Free Zone license holders, including tax exemptions. Additionally, there is no minimum capital requirement for setting up a company under a Dubai Mainland License.

Business Activities
Under Dubai Mainland License

Dubai is one of the world’s most coveted business destinations, attracting investors and entrepreneurs
due to its ease of setting up a business and the array of lucrative benefits offered.

With a wide range of activities to select from, Masar Al Ameen Business Setup will assist you in choosing the most suitable options for your company.

Industrial License

The Industrial License for a Mainland Company permits a business to engage in industrial activities such as production, separation, accumulation, and packaging.

This license is primarily issued to businesses that convert natural materials or resources into finished products.

Commercial License

The Commercial License is designed for companies involved in buying and selling goods, commodities, and various trade activities within the UAE. It is also issued to general and specialized traders, as well as businesses operating in retail, construction, and real estate.

Professional License

A Professional License is granted to individuals or corporations that offer services based on skills, talent, and expertise. This includes professions such as accounting, design, tourism, and other services that depend on natural ability, skill, or experience.

Tourism License

In the travel and tourism industry, there are three types of licenses:

  1. This license authorizes a company to manage travel within the city.

  2. This license permits a company to sell tourist packages outside the borders of Dubai.

  3. This license allows a company to organize global meetings, conferences, and exhibitions.

Setting Up Your UAE Company Starts with
Masar Al Ameen

There are many benefits to establishing a mainland company. This company structure ensures a prosperous future in your professional ventures. Mainland companies offer a broad scope of trade, 100% ownership and location flexibility. These are some of the reasons why entrepreneurs look to establish a mainland company in the UAE.
A UAE mainland company has no restrictions on trade between other businesses and has no limits on location. Mainland companies can also offer services to the government, or trade directly with consumers from anywhere in the UAE. Forming a mainland company also allows businesses to open multiple branches, building a strong presence throughout the Emirates.
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Choose your business activity
The first thing to decide before you set up a company in the UAE mainland is the industry in which you will trade. There are thousands of permitted business activities as listed by the Department of Economic Development (DED). Some of these include trading, agriculture, hospitality and manufacturing. Unlike many free zone businesses that are restricted from certain activities based on their location, mainland businesses are free to trade in any of the 2000+ DED-listed activities.
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Find your ideal location
After choosing your business activity, the next step is selecting a location. In the UAE mainland, businesses have no location restrictions. Consider factors like budget and activity type; for import/export, proximity to major ports like Jebel Ali, Mina Zayed, or Mina Khalid is ideal. Mainland businesses in Dubai also benefit from the ease of opening branch offices, allowing for expansion and a larger local presence.
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Determine your business legal structure
Foreign entrepreneurs can set up various business structures on the UAE mainland. The most common is a Limited Liability Company (LLC), which requires a local sponsor and is needed for commercial or industrial activities. In contrast, a professional service company can be 100% foreign-owned without a local sponsor.
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Obtain a local sponsor or local service agent
Previously, foreign entrepreneurs needed a local sponsor or service agent to set up a mainland company in Dubai. For LLCs with a commercial or industrial license, a UAE national or company must hold 51% of the business. Masar Al Ameen Business Setup can provide a Corporate Nominee to act as your Local Partner, allowing you to retain full control. For professional companies, only a Local Service Agent (LSA) is needed, who does not own any part of the business but handles administrative and government dealings.
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Apply for relevant visas
In the UAE mainland, there's no limit on business visas, but the number of visas should match the office space, typically 100 sq. ft. per visa. Exceptions exist, such as for businesses with remote employees needing less office space. As a mainland business owner, you can also sponsor dependents and domestic staff. Foreign entrepreneurs can obtain an investment visa, allowing them and their families to live and work in the UAE for up to three years.
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Partner with a Company Setup Consultant
Setting up a mainland company in the UAE requires a deep understanding of the legal and company formation process. Working with a UAE-based consultant helps take the stress out of setting up a company for overseas entrepreneurs. A business consultant can collaborate with you and understand your business goals. This will help you feel confident in starting a successful business in the UAE mainland.
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Steps in Setting Up Your Business Under a Dubai Mainland License

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1

Choose Your Business Activity and Structure

Before starting a company in Dubai, the crucial first step is to select the correct category and nature of your business activity from over 1,500 options. The Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) is the regulatory authority overseeing all legal business activities in the city.
2

Register Your Company’s Name with DED

Select a unique name for your company that doesn’t duplicate any existing names in Dubai. After choosing and getting approval for the name, register it with the DED. The registration process usually takes about three days.
3

Apply for Mainland Trade License

Once your company name is registered, you can move forward with applying for your mainland trade license. Be aware that certain commercial activities are restricted under DED regulations. The DED is responsible for the classification, regulation, and licensing of all economic activities. You’ll need to provide various documents for your trade license application, and Masar Al Ameen Business Setup can assist you throughout this process.
4

Get an Office Space or Coworking Space

In the UAE, office spaces are usually owned by third parties and can be tailored to meet your requirements. To obtain DED’s initial approval, it’s essential to provide the tenancy agreement, Real Estate Regulation Authority (RERA) documents, and EJARI. While having a dedicated office space is not always mandatory, Masar Al Ameen Business Setup offers affordable coworking space options as an alternative.
5

Prepare the Necessary Documents Like Memorandum of Association (MoA) and Article of Association (AoA)

The Memorandum of Association (MoA) is an essential document for setting up a company in Dubai. It specifies the share limitations and rights of each partner in the business. This document must be meticulously prepared, and Masar Al Ameen Business Setup’s legal experts can help you with its drafting.
6

Pay Fees and Collect the License

Once you have completed the necessary documentation and approvals, pay the required fees and collect your business license. This will mark your official recognition and enable legal operation in Dubai mainland.
7

Open Your Business Bank Account

After securing your trade license, the next step is to open a corporate bank account. Thanks to advancements in digital banking, this process is usually completed within a few days. Our banking experts will guide you through every step.

Testimonials

Leo

Great Support! Fantastic support throughout the setup process. The team was knowledgeable and made everything straightforward. Ideal for anyone starting a business!

Leo

George

Efficient and Professional! An excellent experience with this service. They provided fast, tailored solutions and handled everything with professionalism. Perfect for a hassle-free setup!

George

Haris

Outstanding Service! The team made the business setup process smooth and stress-free. Their expert guidance and efficient handling of paperwork were invaluable. Highly recommended!

Haris

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