How Can I Get a Mainland License in the UAE?

Get a Mainland License in the UAE

Are you looking for an area to start your business in the UAE? We recommend you start your company in the Mainland because it is the appropriate location for beginning any kind of venture. However, you need a Mainland License in the UAE to start your company in this area. Are you wondering how I can get a Mainland License in the UAE? Stop wondering and read this article! Here, we will try to tell you how to obtain a Mainland license in this country. Moreover, we will share some essential information about this license in this article.

What Is a Mainland License in the UAE?

A UAE Mainland license is a trade license permitted by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) permitting a business to function anywhere within the mainland of the emirate without location limitations. It is a legal need for companies who want to conduct commercial or industrial activities under local regulations. It provides the widest possible business scope of any UAE license type and permitting trade along with professional services and other commercial activities all within the UAE and internationally.

After the recent UAE reforms, foreign investors can now have full ownership of most mainland businesses thus eliminating the need for a local service agent in most of the cases and providing you with full control over your company.

Types of Mainland Trade Licenses in the UAE

The type of Mainland license you require relies on your business activity. The DET classifies these into three major categories:

• Commercial License: for businesses trading in goods, including import, export, wholesale, retail, and general trading.
• Professional License: for individuals and companies offering professional services or expertise, such as consulting, engineering, IT services, legal advisory, and creative design.
• Industrial License: for businesses involved in manufacturing, processing, assembling, or packaging goods within the UAE.

Beyond these three core categories, the DED also issues specialised licenses for specific sectors, including tourism, real estate, education, healthcare, logistics and transport, and contracting.

Benefits of Obtaining the UAE Mainland license

The Mainland license in the UAE allows you to conduct any permissible business activity everywhere in the country. Apart from this, you can enjoy the following benefits with the help of Mainland license in this country:  

1. Opportunity to trade with other UAE mainland businesses

You can trade with other companies in the mainland area with the help of a UAE Mainland license. On the other hand, you might face some limitations for trading with other businesses if you are located in the free zone. On top of that, you can have access to the UAE market with no restrictions.  

2. Access to the broader market

Whether it is local markets or government entities, you are free to conduct business anywhere in the United Arab Emirates. If your company is involved in any government Contract or partnership, you can enjoy more benefits because this access is valuable for numerous industries. Moreover, this fact will increase the presence of your company country-wise.  

3. Endless visa grant

With the help of a mainland license, you can apply for endless visa grants. However, you must fulfil the requirement of basic office space of 50 sq. feet per visa. This benefit might be helpful for your business if you plan to have a sizable workforce. With the endless growing scope, you will get more alternatives to use human capital.  

Documents Required to Obtain the Mainland License in the UAE

Before getting the Mainland license in the UAE, you must gather a few documents because the Department of Economic Development (DED) or any other relevant authority asks for these documents to verify your identity. Therefore; you need the following documents to get A Mainland License In UAE:

• The Memorandum of Association (MOA).
• The tenancy contract and EJARI.
• Copies of the entry stamp or the visa page of all the company shareholders.
• Passport-sized photos of all the shareholders of the company.
• Passports copies of all the shareholders.

 Depending on different factors like business types, location, and more, you might need to gather other documents. We recommend you consult Flyingcolour Business Setup to get the complete list of documents you need to obtain the Mainland license in this country.  

The Process to Obtain the Mainland License in the UAE

1. Decide business activities

Initially, you should decide the appropriate business activities that you want to conduct in the United Arab Emirates. We recommend you attempt to comprehend the business activities’ feasibility and ensure you can perform the preferred business activity on the Mainland.  

2. Choose a legal sponsor or partner.

You might be delighted to learn that most business activities are currently allowed full ownership in the United Arab Emirates. However, based on your selected legal structure and business activities, you might require a UAE national as a local service agent. Therefore, you should partner with the appropriate local sponsor for your business. We recommend you seek guidance from Flyingcolour Business Setup Services.  

3. Choose the legal structure. 

Next, you should select a reliable legal structure because having a legal structure is essential for all types of businesses in the United Arab Emirates. Remember, you should choose a legal structure that aligns with your business needs or requirements.  

4. Select the company name 

Once choosing the appropriate legal structure for your business, you must pick a reliable company name that will be the identity of your business. After selecting the business name, you should reserve your name as per the DED or other authority’s guidelines and follow the process as per their disclosure.  

5. Obtain initial approvals

After choosing the appropriate company name, you should apply for the initial approvals from the relevant authority. This step will not only let you start your business in the UAE but also boost the application for other necessary permits.

6. Apply for other approvals.

Based on a few factors, you might also want to obtain a few other approvals from the relevant authority. You are required to get these approvals to get your business certified in the United Arab Emirates.  

7. Collect required documents. 

At this stage; you are required to gather a few documents to attain the UAE Mainland License.  While preparing your documents, you should ensure your paperwork or documents are in order.  

8. Establish a location. 

After gathering your documents, you should secure an office space for your new business in the UAE. While options like flexi desk are available for your business, some companies require a dedicated office space to get the Mainland Business. We recommend you contact Flyingcolour Business Setup to ensure you want an office space.  

9. Obtain Ejari

Once finding the location, you should obtain Ejari (My Rent) because it is crucial in the regulation of leasing and renting activities in the UAE. Once getting this document, you must submit it to the relevant authority to move toward the final step.  

10. Pay the fees and get the license

Lastly, you should pay the required fee to the relevant authority. After paying the fees, you will get the Mainland license. With Flyingcolour Business Setup, you can obtain this license as soon as you think.  

How Much Does a Mainland License Cost in the UAE?

A Mainland license in Dubai typically starts from around AED 18,500*, though the final cost depends on several factors:

• Type of license: Commercial, Professional, and Industrial licenses carry different base fees.
• Business activity: some specific activities carry additional licensing fees.
• Legal structure: a sole establishment is generally cheaper than an LLC.
• Local service agent: where one is required, this adds to overall cost.
• Additional approvals: certain activities require sign-off from other authorities, which can carry their own fees.

These figures are estimates only, and actual costs vary by business profile. Speak to our consultants for an accurate, activity-specific quote.

How can Flyingcolour Business Setup help you?

You might be assuming that you can get a Mainland License in the UAE easily by performing the steps mentioned above. However, following these steps will not let you obtain this license because several aspects can hurdles in your path. Flyingcolour Business Setup can help you pass these hurdles efficiently. In addition, our experts will guide you to the easiest path to obtain this license.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a UAE Mainland Licence?

A UAE Mainland Licence allows a company to conduct permitted business activities across the UAE mainland and access a broader local market, including opportunities to work with mainland businesses and government entities.

What documents are required to obtain a Mainland Licence in the UAE?

Common documents include the Memorandum of Association (MOA), tenancy contract and Ejari, passport copies, visa or entry-stamp copies, and passport-sized photographs of shareholders. Additional documents may be required depending on the business activity and structure.

What are the steps to obtain a Mainland Licence in the UAE?

The process generally involves selecting a business activity, choosing a legal structure, reserving a company name, obtaining initial and additional approvals, preparing documents, securing a business location, obtaining Ejari, paying the applicable fees and receiving the licence.

Do I need a local sponsor or partner for a UAE Mainland company?

Most business activities can currently be established with full foreign ownership, but requirements can vary depending on the activity and legal structure. Certain businesses may still require a UAE national service agent or other specific arrangements.

Do I need an office to obtain a UAE Mainland Licence?

A business location is generally part of the mainland licensing process. The specific premises requirements can vary by business activity, while some businesses may have options such as flexible office arrangements. An Ejari is required where applicable.

What are the benefits of having a Mainland Licence in the UAE?

A Mainland Licence can provide access to the wider UAE market, allow businesses to trade with other mainland companies and create opportunities to work with government entities. It can also support visa applications subject to applicable office-space and immigration requirements.

How long does it take to get a Mainland Licence in the UAE?

The timeframe depends on the business activity, required approvals, legal structure, documentation and premises. Businesses requiring additional regulatory approvals may take longer, so the exact timeline should be confirmed based on the specific licence application.

To learn more about get a Mainland License in the UAE, book a free consultation with one of the Flyingcolour team advisors. Please note that this article was published on  20/05/2024 by the federal policies and updates at the time of writing. For the latest info please talk to our consultant.