Dubai mainland company formation under DET.
You need a mainland license if you plan to invoice UAE customers directly, open a retail storefront, or take government contracts. We handle the full DET filing, Ejari, and the shareholder structure for 100% foreign ownership where your activity allows.
What you get
100% foreign ownership where allowed
We check your specific activity code against the post-2021 list so you know whether Emirati participation is required before you commit.
Full DET handling
Name reservation, initial approval, MoA, Ejari, establishment card, and trade license — in roughly 2–4 weeks once documents are in hand.
Retail and government-ready
Mainland is the only UAE license that supports a physical retail storefront or direct invoicing to the UAE federal and Emirates governments.
Check if mainland is the right call for your activity.
We'll model year-one and three-year cost of mainland vs the closest free zone and show you where each wins.
Frequently asked
Do I need a local sponsor for a Dubai mainland company?
For most commercial and professional activities, no — 100% foreign ownership is allowed since the 2021 reform. A small list of strategic activities still requires Emirati participation.
How long does a mainland company take to set up?
Name reservation and initial approval run in parallel with MoA drafting — typically 2–4 weeks total, longer if you need Ejari on a commercial premise.
Is Dubai mainland more expensive than a free zone?
Year-one cost is higher than most free zones (license plus Ejari drive the number). Over three years the gap narrows. If you need to invoice UAE customers, mainland is cheaper in total than a free zone plus a distributor.