Mainland Company Formation
Establish a mainland company in Dubai or the UAE and trade freely across the entire market without the restrictions of a free zone licence.
Overview
Setting Up on the UAE Mainland
A UAE mainland company, registered with the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), allows you to trade directly with the local UAE market and hold government contracts — without the geographical or activity restrictions that apply to free zone companies.
Prism 7 Corporate handles the full mainland formation process, from selecting your licence type and business activity through to trade name reservation, MOA preparation, and final licence issuance.
What's Included
Our Mainland Company Formation Services
DED Licence Processing
Full management of your Dubai DED trade licence application — activity selection, trade name reservation, and MOA preparation.
Full UAE Market Access
Mainland companies can trade directly with the UAE domestic market and bid for government contracts without free zone restrictions.
100% Foreign Ownership
Most sectors permit 100% foreign ownership on the UAE mainland under the 2021 Commercial Companies Law amendments.
PRO Services Included
All government liaison, typing, and authority submissions handled by our in-house PRO team as part of your formation package.
Ejari & Office Assistance
We assist with mandatory Ejari office registration and connect you with commercial property providers across Dubai.
Visa Quota Management
Mainland licence holders receive an initial visa quota. We advise on the appropriate office size to maximise your allocation.
How It Works
Simple, Transparent Process
Activity & Licence Selection
We confirm the correct DED licence category, permitted activities, and trade name for your UAE mainland company.
MOA Preparation
Memorandum of Association prepared by our team and trade name reserved with the Department of Economic Development.
DED Licence Application
Licence application submitted to the DED. We manage all approvals, authority correspondence, and follow-ups.
Ejari & Office Registration
Mandatory commercial office Ejari registration completed. We can assist with commercial property introductions across Dubai.
Visa Quota & Employee Visas
We advise on your initial visa allocation and process all investor and employment visa applications for your team.
Bank Account & Launch
Banking introductions and post-incorporation filings completed — your mainland company is ready to operate.
Our clients rate us 5 stars for expertise, responsiveness and professionalism across company formation, visa services and PRO services in the UAE.
Read our reviews on GoogleCommon Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
For most commercial activities, no. The 2021 Commercial Companies Law amendments allow 100% foreign ownership across the majority of sectors. A small number of strategically sensitive activities — including certain security, oil and gas, and transport sectors — retain local shareholding requirements. We confirm the position for your specific activity.
Standard DED trade licences are typically issued within 5–10 working days of a complete application. Activities requiring approval from a government body (healthcare, education, food) may take longer. We provide accurate timelines for your activity at the outset.
Yes. This is one of the key advantages of mainland over free zone. Mainland licence holders can trade freely across the UAE domestic market and bid for federal and emirate-level government contracts without restriction.
A valid commercial tenancy agreement registered with Ejari is mandatory. Office size affects your visa allocation — a larger space allows a higher employee visa quota. We advise on the appropriate office arrangement for your team size and budget.
Have a question not covered here? Our team is happy to help.
Ask Us AnythingWhat Will It Cost?
Get a fully itemised formation cost estimate tailored to your specific activity, visa requirements, and preferred jurisdiction. No obligation — returned within one business day.
Get Started
Ready to Set Up on the UAE Mainland?
Get in touch today for a free consultation. Our team will outline your options and handle the full registration process.