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Mainland (DET) company formation

Establishment of mainland LLCs and professional licences regulated by the local department of economic development.

A mainland licence is regulated by the local Department of Economy and Tourism in each emirate (Dubai DET, Abu Dhabi DED, etc.). It allows on-shore activity, broader contract eligibility, and direct invoicing to UAE consumers without a local agent.

[TO BE REPLACED — extend to ~250 words: when mainland is the right answer over a free zone, the 100% ownership reform, professional vs commercial licences, and the role of licensed corporate service providers in coordination.]

Who it suits

  • Operators selling goods or services directly to UAE consumers
  • Bidders on UAE government and semi-government tenders
  • Professional services with mandatory MoEC categories
  • Groups consolidating multiple emirate-specific operations
  • [TO BE REPLACED — add additional profiles]

Process

  1. 01

    Licence type and activity

    [TO BE REPLACED] Map the activity to the right DET category (commercial, professional, civil) and confirm any external approvals (MoEC, sector regulators).

  2. 02

    Initial approval and name reservation

    [TO BE REPLACED] Coordinate initial approval, trade name reservation, and any external clearances.

  3. 03

    MOA and tenancy (Ejari)

    [TO BE REPLACED] Prepare MOA, secure a compliant tenancy and Ejari registration.

  4. 04

    Trade licence issuance

    [TO BE REPLACED] Submit final file and oversee licence issuance.

  5. 05

    Establishment Card and immigration file

    [TO BE REPLACED] Set up the company immigration file and Establishment Card to enable visa issuance.

Documents required

  • Passport copies of shareholders and managers
  • Recent passport-style photographs
  • Proposed business activity and any supporting credentials
  • Tenancy contract and Ejari
  • Power of Attorney (where applicable)
  • [TO BE REPLACED — add MoEC / sector documents per activity]

Timeline

[TO BE REPLACED — typical kick-off-to-licence range, with notes on activities that require external approvals (e.g. healthcare, education, financial services) and how those affect the timeline.]

Frequently asked

Do I still need a local sponsor for a mainland company?
[TO BE REPLACED] For most activities, 100% foreign ownership is now permitted following the 2021 reforms. A small set of strategic-impact activities still require Emirati participation; we flag this upfront.
Can the same group hold a mainland licence and a free zone licence?
[TO BE REPLACED] Yes — many groups operate a parallel structure for distinct purposes. We help articulate the right operating model.
Is mainland licensing more expensive than free zone?
[TO BE REPLACED] Setup cost is comparable; ongoing costs (Ejari, sector fees, immigration) can differ. We provide a side-by-side at decision time.
How does corporate tax apply to a mainland LLC?
[TO BE REPLACED] Mainland LLCs are within the standard UAE Corporate Tax regime. A registered tax advisor performs the factual analysis; we coordinate the introduction.
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