Mainland Business Setup in UAE: A Comprehensive Guide

From trade name to license: Mainland business setup in UAE decoded. Costs, steps, benefits—no sponsor needed. Ready to thrive?

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to attract entrepreneurs and global investors due to its strategic location, modern infrastructure, and business-friendly regulations, including zero personal income tax. A mainland business setup in the UAE allows companies to operate freely across all emirates, trade directly with the local market, and participate in government tenders—advantages not available to free zone entities. Registered through authorities such as Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) or Abu Dhabi’s Department of Economic Development (ADDED), mainland companies benefit from nationwide operational rights, branch expansion flexibility, and—following recent reforms—100% foreign ownership across most professional and service activities. With the UAE reaching over 1.3 million active businesses by mid-2025 and Dubai issuing nearly 19,000 new licenses in Q1 2025 alone, mainland company formation continues to gain strong momentum.

The mainland business setup process is largely digital and typically completed within 2–4 weeks, with estimated costs ranging from AED 25,000 to 40,000 depending on the emirate, business activity, and office requirements. Entrepreneurs must select the appropriate license (commercial, professional, or industrial), reserve a trade name, obtain initial approval, notarize the Memorandum of Association (MOA), and lease a physical office space. Compared to free zones, mainland businesses enjoy higher credibility, unrestricted UAE-wide operations, and eligibility for lucrative government contracts, making this setup ideal for service agencies, consultants, and companies focused on long-term domestic growth in a market projected to exceed 5% GDP growth in 2026.