How to Set Up Business in the Mainland of Dubai?

Dubai's attractive opportunities induce foreign investors to establish their business in different jurisdictions like the mainland and free zones. Mainland business offerings like high traffic of consumers, ease in exports, and cost-effective options of establishments are some of the benefits that every entrepreneur strives for. This blog explains the mainland business and setting up a company in the mainland of Dubai.

What is Mainland Business? 

A mainland business is registered under the DED (Department of Economic Development) of the concerned Emirate, which allows companies to sell their products or offer their services in the mainland of Dubai and export them outside Dubai without restrictions. Mainland incorporated companies get 100% ownership of the business. Below are the rules and regulations that investors need to follow:

• Companies should get approvals from various government bodies like DED, Dubai Municipality, Ministry of Labor, etc.
• Financial Audit is mandatory for establishing a business in the Mainland of Dubai.
• There is an obligatory requirement of physical premises, that is, sq. ft of minimum office space.

Steps to Set-up a Business in the Mainland of Dubai 

Select the Type of Business:  The type of business operation is the basis of obtaining a license. You need to mention the kind of activity you will engage in. 6 different licenses are available for various business activities, such as industrial, commercial, professional, tourism, agricultural and occupational.

Select the Legal Form of an Entity: 

Whether you want to open a partnership firm, an LLC, or a civil company, you should decide in this step. There are many legal forms to apply to register your business.

Register the Trade Name:

Your business must align with the business activity mentioned in the license application, and it should not violate the cultural or moral values of the residents. The trade name must include the acronym of the business structure like PJSC, LLC, etc.

Obtain approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners' Affairs:

Before getting initial approval from the government, particular business activities like financial commodities, financial securities, legal and security affairs require the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners’ Affairs to start these businesses.

Obtain ‘No Objection’ from the UAE Government: 

Before obtaining a trading license from the authorities, you must obtain "no objection" approval from the UAE government to initiate the further process.

Other Government Approvals: 

Some government permissions are required to start a certain kind of business, like approval from the ministry of justice to establish a legal consultancy business.

Receipt of the Trading License: 

You can apply for a trading license according to your jurisdiction. The local economic authorities will issue the permit after submitting mandatory documents such as initial approval receipts and the lease contract duly attested with the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) in Dubai. You should pay the prescribed fees for obtaining a license within 30 days of receiving payment receipts.

Conclusion

It is advisable to consult a company registration expert to submit an error-free application and ensure you have understood various other options as well. At Flyingcolour, you can get the right consultations for all your company registration requirements. Our qualified professionals can help you prepare your application documents and apply for your license to the concerned authorities hassle-free. We can also assist you in accounting, taxation, financial modeling, company registration, and PRO requirements. Register your free consultation with us to know more about the comprehensive services.