Dubai · Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) · all zones
Dubai mainland
Dubai mainland jurisdiction under DET, allowing companies to operate commercially throughout the UAE without geographic restrictions, suitable for trading within the UAE and direct local market access. dubai.ae investindubai.gov.ae arnifi.com
visit needed
reseller prices only
tier 1
LLCJSC
Licence-only total
total not yet confirmed
the one total model is not live, so each proven price is shown on its own
One-visa total
total not yet confirmed
the one total model is not live, so each proven price is shown on its own
Minimum share capital
not yet confirmed
No
Typical days to licence
not yet confirmed
unproven or unpublished
Packages, as published
Official rows come from the authority's own list. A row marked agent comes from a reseller because the authority does not publish that package, and it can contain a margin.
| Package | Licence | Visas | Workspace | Setup | Renewal | Kind | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instant LicenseFrom amount not yet confirmed all-in, 2026 planning figures, no office required in year one | professional/commercial | n/a | virtual | not yet confirmed | not yet confirmed | agent | dubaimainlandcompanysetup.com |
| Professional/Commercial License with Serviced Desk and 1 Investor VisaFrom amount not yet confirmed - 22,000 all-in, 2026 planning figures | professional/commercial | n/a | serviced desk | not yet confirmed | not yet confirmed | agent | dubaimainlandcompanysetup.com |
| 1 Visa PackageFrom amount not yet confirmed, 1-year licence, flexi-desk/office options | mainland | n/a | flexi-desk | not yet confirmed | not yet confirmed | agent | goldenkeybcs.com |
| 2 Visa PackageFrom amount not yet confirmed, 1-year licence | mainland | n/a | flexi-desk | not yet confirmed | not yet confirmed | agent | goldenkeybcs.com |
| 3 Visa PackageFrom amount not yet confirmed, 1-year licence | mainland | n/a | flexi-desk | not yet confirmed | not yet confirmed | agent | goldenkeybcs.com |
| 5 Visa PackageFrom amount not yet confirmed, 1-year licence | mainland | n/a | flexi-desk | not yet confirmed | not yet confirmed | agent | goldenkeybcs.com |
| Professional License with 1 Investor VisaStarts from amount not yet confirmed* | professional | n/a | not specified | not yet confirmed | not yet confirmed | agent | dubiz.co |
| Commercial License with 1 Investor VisaStarts from amount not yet confirmed* | commercial | n/a | not specified | not yet confirmed | not yet confirmed | agent | dubiz.co |
| Mainland LLCamount not yet confirmed to amount not yet confirmed first year | commercial | n/a | physical office with Ejari | not yet confirmed | not yet confirmed | agent | breeobusiness.com |
Fees, line by line
The figures our sum is built from. Only a proven fee is shown; the rest read not yet confirmed, and a reseller-only figure says so on its line.
Registrationnot yet confirmeddubai.ae
Licencenot yet confirmeddubai.ae
Establishment cardnot yet confirmeddubai.ae
Immigration cardnot yet confirmeddubai.ae
Residence visa, per personnot yet confirmeddubai.ae
Medical and Emirates ID, per personnot yet confirmeddubai.ae
Minimum share capitalnot yet confirmednot paid updubai.ae
Trade name reservationnot yet confirmedduqe.ae
Initial approvalnot yet confirmedzetup.ae
MOA notarisationnot yet confirmeduppersetup.com
Market fee (5% of annual rent)not yet confirmeduppersetup.com
Ejari registrationnot yet confirmeduppersetup.com
Chamber of Commerce membershipnot yet confirmedduqe.ae
Office rent (flexi-desk/serviced desk, lowest)not yet confirmeddubaimainlandcompanysetup.com
DET licence issuance fee (base)not yet confirmedduqe.ae
Workspace
Serviced Desknot yet confirmedDubai (not specified) · counts for the visa quota · source
What a missing number means
The line stays visible and reads not yet confirmed. A figure the research records but the verification pass has not proven is never shown, and never becomes a zero.
Company and licence types
Company types
- Limited Liability Company
1-50 shareholders, individuals or corporates; 100% foreign ownership allowed for many activities. [mirdxbpro.com](https://mirdxbpro.com/guides/dubai-mainland-licence-types/) - Sole Establishment
Single individual owner; foreign professionals can hold for professional activities. [mirdxbpro.com](https://mirdxbpro.com/guides/dubai-mainland-licence-types/) - Civil Company
Partnership of professionals (e.g., doctors, lawyers); 100% foreign ownership allowed for certain professions. [mirdxbpro.com](https://mirdxbpro.com/guides/dubai-mainland-licence-types/) - Branch of a Foreign Company
100% owned by parent foreign company. [mirdxbpro.com](https://mirdxbpro.com/guides/dubai-mainland-licence-types/) - Joint Stock Company
Public or private; minimum shareholders as per UAE Commercial Companies Law. [mirdxbpro.com](https://mirdxbpro.com/guides/dubai-mainland-licence-types/)
Licence types
- Commercial licence
Buying and selling of goods and services, including import and export, logistics, retail, software trading, construction and real estate. mirdxbpro.com - Professional licence
Service-based businesses offering expertise and specialised services, such as consulting, administrative services, educational institutions. mirdxbpro.com - Industrial licence
Manufacturing, production, packaging, segregation, or collection of goods. mirdxbpro.com - Tourism permits
Hotels, holiday homes, timeshares, tour companies, safaris and desert camps. mirdxbpro.com - e-Trader licence
Home-based business selling products or services online, issued under Sole Proprietorship. mirdxbpro.com - Intelaq licence
Home-based business licence for UAE or GCC nationals residing in Dubai. mirdxbpro.com - Instant Licence
Licence issued within five minutes for activities needing no external approval beyond DET, with a virtual site for the first year. mirdxbpro.com - SME licence
Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment licence with reduced or exempted fees for UAE and GCC national entrepreneurs. mirdxbpro.com - Dual licence
Allows a Dubai free zone company to operate in the emirate through a branch or under a six-month permit. mirdxbpro.com
How the authority processes it
Each step names who holds it. Days are the authority's published figure or a gap.
- step 1 · days gapChoose business activity and legal structureApplicant
- step 2 · days gapReserve trade nameApplicant via DET portal
- step 3 · days gapApply for initial approvalApplicant submits to DET
- step 4 · days gapDraft and notarise Memorandum of AssociationApplicant with notary public
- step 5 · days gapSecure office and register EjariApplicant
- step 6 · days gapSubmit final application and pay feesApplicant
- step 7 · days gapObtain trade licenseDET issues
- step 8 · days gapPost-license: register for corporate tax, open bank account, apply for visasApplicant
The authority's portal
NameDET eServices Portalhttps://www.dubaidet.gov.ae/en/licences-and-permits
Who filespublic
Fully onlineYes
E-signaturenot stated
API or integrationnot stated
Partner programmenot stated
Selling to the UAE mainland
Yes, mainland companies can trade directly within the UAE without restrictions. investindubai.gov.ae
Corporate tax
Mainland companies are subject to standard UAE corporate tax (9% on taxable income exceeding amount not yet confirmed). They are not eligible for the 0% qualifying free zone person regime. agrawalkhandelwal.com mentions mandatory corporate tax registration.
Documents the authority asks for
Individual shareholder
- Passport copy dubaieconomycenter.ae
- Emirates ID (if UAE resident) dubaieconomycenter.ae
- Passport-sized photographs dubaieconomycenter.ae
- Trade name reservation certificate dubaieconomycenter.ae
- Memorandum of Association (for LLCs) dubaieconomycenter.ae
- Office lease agreement (Ejari) dubaieconomycenter.ae
- NOC from current sponsor (if applicable) dubaieconomycenter.ae
- Professional qualifications (if applicable) dubaieconomycenter.ae
- Residence permit/visa copy (if applicable) dubai.ae
Corporate shareholder
- Board resolution agrawalkhandelwal.com
- Certificate of incorporation agrawalkhandelwal.com
- Memorandum and Articles of Association agrawalkhandelwal.com
- Passport copies of authorized signatories agrawalkhandelwal.com
- Emirates ID of authorized signatories (if resident) agrawalkhandelwal.com
- Office lease agreement (Ejari) dubaieconomycenter.ae
After the licence
Financial year, audit, corporate tax, VAT, UBO and renewal, as the authority states them.
Financial year
Audit and financial statements
Audited accounts requiredYessource
Who mustLLCs and joint-stock companiessource
Submission deadlinenot yet confirmedsource
Approved auditor listYessource
Fee or penalty (AED)not yet confirmedsource
NotesDET does not usually require audit report at renewal, but may request for high-risk activities. Corporate tax requires audited accounts if revenue > amount not yet confirmed or for QFZPs.source
VAT
Corporate tax
Registration deadlinenot yet confirmedsource
QFZP conditionsQFZPs must meet substance requirements, maintain audited accounts, and comply with other conditions to qualify for 0% CT rate.source
Return deadline9 months after end of tax period9 months after end of tax periodsource
Late registration penalty (AED)not yet confirmedsource
UBO, ESR and AML
Licence renewal
Banking
Accounting records
Annual obligations
How we file it
Internal view of the authority's channels and screens. It is what a filing integration has to work against, not a promise that the filing is live. integration source
Application channels
Invest in Dubai portal (Digital Window)https://invest.dubai.aewho can use: Investors with UAE Pass; for instant license, foreign shareholders need UAE residence visa and Emirates ID; non-residents must use service centreslogin: UAE PassUnified platform for licence applications, renewals, amendments, cancellations. Instant licence available for certain activities. Online process requires no document uploads. [dubaitourism.getbynder.com] [emirabiz.com]source
DET Service Centres (e.g., Happiness Lounge in Deira)no URLwho can use: All applicants, especially those without UAE residency or needing in-person assistancelogin: NonePhysical presence required; bring passport copies, visa copies. [dubaitourism.getbynder.com]source
Outsourced Service Centresno URLwho can use: All applicantslogin: NoneSimilar to DET service centres; partners must be present. [dubaitourism.getbynder.com]source
SMS auto renewal (6969)no URLwho can use: Existing licence holders for renewallogin: NoneOnly for renewal, not initial setup. [dubaitourism.getbynder.com]source
Agent or partner programme
Existsno
Namenot named
Feesnot yet confirmed
Commission or discountnot stated
How to applynot stated
Contactnot stated
Requirementsnot stated
Screens inside the portal
- step 1Log in to Invest in Dubai portalInvestor (or representative with UAE Pass)inputs: UAE Pass credentials
- step 2Select legal form and business activitiesInvestorinputs: Legal form (LLC, One Person LLC, Sole Establishment, Civil Company), Business activities from approved list
- step 3Add shareholder and manager detailsInvestorinputs: Shareholder details (name, passport, Emirates ID if resident), Manager details
- step 4Sign electronic Memorandum of Association (MOA) via UAE PassAll shareholders/managers via their UAE Passinputs: Electronic signature via UAE Pass
- step 5Pay government feesInvestorinputs: Payment method (online)
- step 6Receive digital trade licence and Chamber certificate by emailSystem
Formats, signatures, payment
Document formatsnot stated
Signatures and identityUAE Pass is used for identity verification and electronic signatures. The electronic MOA is signed through UAE Pass. Executive Council Resolution No. (5) of 2024 mandates adoption of electronic signatures without requiring in-person attendance. [dhcc.ae] [emirabiz.com]
PaymentFees can be paid online through the Invest in Dubai portal (one-step fee payment integrated) or at outsourced banks. [dhcc.ae] [dubaitourism.getbynder.com]
Status trackingnot stated
API or bulk filingnot stated
After the licence, onlineLicence renewal (via portal or SMS auto renewal); Licence amendment; Licence cancellation; Trade name reservation/modification; Issuance of permits and approvals (through Digital Window)
Automation risks
- UAE Pass authentication requires user interaction and biometric verification, hindering full automation.
- Instant license online requires UAE residency visa and Emirates ID for foreign shareholders; non-residents must apply in person, blocking remote automation.
- Electronic MOA signing requires each shareholder/manager to sign via their own UAE Pass, making it difficult to automate for multiple parties.
- The portal may have anti-bot measures (CAPTCHA, rate limiting) not documented but typical.
- Changes in portal workflow or requirements could break automated scripts.
Open integration gaps
- No official agent or partner program for submitting applications on behalf of clients was found in the provided sources.
- No specific document format requirements (e.g., PDF, JPEG) mentioned; online instant license requires no uploads, in-person requires physical copies.
- No information on application status tracking mechanisms (e.g., dashboard, notifications) was found.
- No mention of an API or bulk submission capability for agents or corporate service providers.
- Specific fee amounts (licence issuance, activity fees, etc.) are not detailed in the sources; only general references to fees exist.
- No explicit terms of service prohibiting automation were found.
What we still do not know about Dubai mainland
The research names its own holes. They stay on the page until a source fills them.
Prices
- Official DET fee schedule not directly sourced from a government website; fees are from agent/legal sites citing Resolution 13/2011.
- Exact visa quota rules (1 visa per 9 sqm or 2 sqm) depend on activity type and are not fully specified.
- Renewal costs for many packages are not provided.
- Whether the DET licence issuance fee (amount not yet confirmed) is included in the licence fee (amount not yet confirmed) or additional is unclear.
- Office rent variability is high; lowest flexi-desk price may not be available for all activities.
- General Trading licence incurs an additional amount not yet confirmed fee, not reflected in the base licence fee.
Structure and process
- Established year of DET not found in sources.
- Activity catalogue count and official URL not provided.
- Detailed shareholder requirements for each company type not fully specified.
- Exact fees not mentioned in sources.
- API or integration details for DET portal not available.
- Partner/agent program details not found.
- eSignature and payment methods not specified.
- Renewal and compliance details are inferred, not explicitly sourced.
- Total typical days of 14 is based on connectgroup.co's '7-14 working days from initial submission to licence issuance' for standard licences; actual timeline may vary.
Compliance
- Corporate tax registration deadline not found
- UBO register requirement and filing location not specified
- AML goAML registration requirement not mentioned
- Specific visa and labour obligations not detailed
- Banking details (common banks, account opening time, minimum balance, pain points) not available
- Licence renewal late penalty not provided
- Audit submission deadline to DET not fixed
- Deregistration cost not given
- Approved auditor list existence confirmed but not detailed
- ESR notification penalty not provided
- Annual obligation costs (audit, licence renewal) not found
Sources
Everything above was read from these pages. The read date is on each line.
Dubai Mainland Company Setup | Breeo Businesshttps://breeobusiness.com/business-setup-in-dubai-mainland/read 2026-10-20
Law No. (13) of 2011 Regulating the Conduct of Economic Activities in the Emirate of Dubaihttps://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2011/Law%20No.%20(13)%20of%202011.pdfread 2026-10-20
Mainland Business Setup in Dubai | Dubiz Business Setuphttps://dubiz.co/dubai-mainland-business-setup/read 2026-10-20
Dubai Mainland Company Formation 2026, Cost from amount not yet confirmedhttps://goldenkeybcs.com/mainland/dubai/read 2026-10-20
Dubai Mainland: DET, Licences, Visa Quotas, Taxes, and the Real Cost in 2026 | UPPERSETUPhttps://uppersetup.com/en/article/dubai-mainland-det-licences-visa-quotas-taxes-and-the-realread 2026-10-20
Business Set-up Options - dda - AEhttps://www.dubai.ae/investing/starting-a-business/business-set-up-optionsread 2026-10-20
Dubai Mainland Setup Quote | Instant Estimate | DMCShttps://www.dubaimainlandcompanysetup.com/get-quote/read 2026-10-20
The Cost of Setting Up a Business in Dubai in 2026 | DUQEhttps://www.duqe.ae/the-cost-of-setting-up-a-business-in-dubai/read 2026-10-20
Dubai Mainland Business Set-up | Register Your Company ...https://www.investindubai.gov.ae/en/business-setup/mainland-companiesread 2026-10-20
Company Formation Dubai Mainland, Setup in Weeks | ZETUP PROhttps://zetup.ae/en/services/company-formationread 2026-10-20