Build in Dubai.
Built on clear decisions.
Explore the practical licensing considerations for launching a mainland business in Dubai.
← Back to overviewWhat matters when setting up in Dubai?
Explore the practical licensing considerations for launching a mainland business in Dubai.
Match the planned business activity with the applicable licensing rules.
What comes into focus.
Match the planned business activity with the applicable licensing rules.
Activity and licence
Match the planned business activity with the applicable licensing rules.
Approvals and premises
Establish any extra approvals, tenancy or address requirements.
Shareholders and documents
Confirm incorporation documents and ownership requirements.
People and renewal
Review work permits, immigration processing and ongoing obligations.
More on Dubai.
Review your activities, workspace and registration requirements in Dubai.
Can a foreign owner own 100% of a Dubai mainland company?
Many UAE mainland activities permit full foreign ownership, subject to specific exceptions and authority rules. The exact activity and legal form must be confirmed.
Is Dubai the best place for my licence?
That depends on where you will operate, the activity and any facility or approval requirements. Compare Dubai with alternative emirates and free-zone arrangements using the same assumptions.
What should I consider before proceeding?
Consider a commercial or professional service directed at customers within Dubai. A business that serves clients across several emirates may still have activity-specific licensing, branch, premises or regulatory obligations that should be checked before signing contracts.
Work through the approval sequence. Identify the proposed activity, choose an eligible legal form, reserve a compliant trade name and obtain the necessary approvals from Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. Formation documents, tenancy and sector permissions may also be requested.
Prepare the operating budget. Review whether your activity, premises and planned contract delivery all fit the selected DET licence. Compare licence issuance with the actual requirements of visas, staff, banking, compliance, renewals and expansion so that year two is not an unpleasant surprise.
