UAE Mainland Company Setup: Complete Support from Licence to Bank Account
UAE mainland company setup gives your business full access to the local market. The UAE has a stable economy, investor-friendly rules and a strong position between Europe, Asia and Africa. As a result, a mainland company can trade anywhere in the country, work with government entities and grow without the limits of a free zone. At TGS Innovised, our UAE team guides you from the first plan to your licence, visas and bank account.
Benefits of a UAE mainland company setup
A mainland licence covers the widest range of business activities. In addition, it opens the door to the whole UAE market and to customers beyond it.
100% foreign ownership
Since 2021, most commercial and industrial activities no longer need a local partner.
Access to the whole UAE market
Sell directly to customers in every emirate, without a distributor.
Wider business scope
Combine several related activities under one trade licence.
Government contracts
Bid for public-sector projects that are often closed to free zone companies.
Visas that grow with you
There is no fixed cap: your visa quota grows with the size of your office.
No currency restrictions
Move capital and profits in and out of the UAE freely.
Strong banking options
Work with the full range of UAE banks and financial services.
Strategic location
Reach the Gulf, Africa and South Asia from one base.
Because of these benefits, the mainland suits companies that plan long-term, scalable growth in the Middle East. Not sure yet? Then compare mainland, free zone and offshore options first, or look at the free zones we work with.
Choose your mainland legal structure
The legal structure decides who owns the company, how liability works and which activities you can carry out. For most UAE mainland company setup projects, we choose between four common forms.
Limited Liability Company
The most used form, for commercial, industrial and service activities. It allows 1 to 50 shareholders.
Sole Establishment
One owner, for example an individual who offers professional or consultancy services.
Civil Company
A partnership for professionals such as consultants, engineers, doctors and lawyers.
Branch of a foreign company
Your existing company operates in the UAE under its own name.
We look at your goals, your ownership wishes and the rules for your activity. Then we recommend the structure that fits best.
Documents you need to start
The documents depend on who the shareholders are. Therefore, we first check whether each shareholder is a person or a company, and then we send you a clear list.
Individual shareholders
- Passport copy, valid for at least 6 months
- Passport photo with a white background
- Emirates ID and residence visa, if you live in the UAE
- Entry visa or entry stamp page, if you live abroad
Corporate shareholders
- Certificate of incorporation
- Board resolution that approves the UAE company
- Memorandum and articles of association
- Power of attorney for the authorised signatory
- Passport copies of the ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs)
UAE mainland company setup process, step by step
Each emirate has its own economic department, for example the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) in Dubai. The steps, however, are much the same everywhere.
- Consultation and planningWe define your business activity, legal structure and the approvals you need.
- Trade name reservationWe reserve your company name with the economic department of the emirate.
- Initial approvalThe authorities give a first approval for your activity and structure.
- Office spaceYou choose a physical office, because every mainland company needs a registered tenancy contract (Ejari in Dubai).
- Document preparationWe draft the memorandum of association (MoA) and prepare the tenancy contract and other papers for signing.
- Licence applicationWe submit the final file, and the department issues your trade licence.
- Immigration and visasWe open your immigration and labour files and then apply for investor and employee visas.
- Bank accountFinally, we help you open a corporate account with a reliable UAE bank.
For the visa and banking steps, see our PRO services and our guide to opening a UAE business bank account.
Tax and compliance after your licence
Your work does not stop at the licence. A mainland company must register for corporate tax with the Federal Tax Authority. Corporate tax is 9% on profits above AED 375,000, and VAT is 5%. Also, VAT registration is mandatory once your taxable supplies pass AED 375,000 a year. That is why we plan tax as part of every UAE mainland company setup, and we can handle your VAT and corporate tax registration for you.
Why choose TGS Innovised
No two businesses are the same. So we first take time to understand your goals, and then we recommend the right structure, activity and emirate for your UAE mainland company setup.
Global reach, local expertise
We set up companies in the UAE, the Netherlands and Thailand, and in the UK and Hong Kong through our partner network.
Strong partner network
Legal, tax and government relations partners keep you compliant in every jurisdiction.
Cross-border solutions
Beyond the setup, we offer international tax structuring, expansion plans and financial advice.
End-to-end support
From licence and documents to visas and banking, we manage every step for you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need a local Emirati partner?
Do I need a physical office on the mainland?
How long does a mainland setup take?
Is a mainland company better than a free zone company?
Start your UAE mainland company setup
Tell us about your plans, and our UAE team will advise on the best structure and the next steps. We usually reply within 24 hours. Contact us for a first conversation.