1. Overview
2. Business Activities
3. Mainland Benefits
4. Registration Process

OVERVIEW OF MAINLAND COMPANY FORMATION

Why Choose mainland for establishing a Business

If you're looking to trade within the UAE, or prefer not to be within a free zone, establishing a mainland company is the path for you. Incorporating a business in mainland provides limitless market access, allowing trade operations throughout the UAE and internationally. Also, mainland companies can bid for lucrative government contracts, improving corporate growth opportunities

MAINLAND BUSINESS ACTIVITIES

Our specialist will guide you to select the most suitable business Activity for your Mainland Company.

The most important decision required in the beginning of company formation is to select the most suitable business activity. Infinity expert provide with free consultation in selecting multiple business activities suitable for your trade license.

Most popular business activities are categorized as bellow.

• Trade
• Management consulting
• Manufacturing
• Construction
• Tourism
• Health care
• Real estate
• Agriculture
• Digital Marketing
• E-Commerce
• Financial Services
• Legal Assistance
• Retail
• Technology
• Professional Services

MAINLAND LICENSE

Dubai is the hub of world class tourism, luxurious life style, a free and secure business environment. If you are planning to start a new business in UAE, Dubai mainland license will be the best choice from years

Benefits of Mainland Business Setup

• Mainland business allows 100% repatriation of profits and capital. You can transfer your earnings back to your home country without any restrictions
• Incorporating a business in mainland allows trade operations throughout the UAE and Internationally.
• Mainland companies can obtain an unrestricted number of visas, depending on available office space.
• Mainland company formation grants entrepreneurs the unique advantage of complete ownership control
• Mainland company offers a wide range of permissible business activities, catering to various industries and sections.
• Mainland companies are not subject to currency exchange controls, providing flexibility in financial transactions.
• Mainland business can choose their office location anywhere in the UAE.
• While freezone companies require annual audits, mainland business are not subject to this mandatory requirement.
• As per new company law implemented from first June 2021, there is no more requirement of UAE national to hold 51% of share of the LLC Company. Now investor can own 100% share of a mainland trading company in UAE.

We focus on Free zone and Mainland company formation in Dubai, we handle everything, from registering your business setup in mainland to helping it grow. Infinity professional services make sure your business succeeds, so you can have peace of mind.

Registration Process

Identify the Nature of Your Business Activity

The UAE offers 4 main types of economic Licenses

Commercial License : Ideal for business involved in trading activities, a Commercial License grants permission for a wide range of operations in Dubai, including:

• Communications & Broadcasting 
• Video & Audio Recordings
• Passenger Transportation & Car Rentals
• Brokerage Services
• Trading & Distribution of Various Products
• Theaters & Cinemas
• Facility Management
• Rental Services (including office spaces & electronic equipment)
• Postal Services
• Livestock Trading
• Investment Activities
• Insurance Services
• Perfumery & Packaging Services
• Property Investment
• Motor Vehicle & Motorcycle Trading
• Cleaning & Surveillance Services
• Supermarkets & Stores

Professional License : A Professional DED License is required for individuals or companies providing professional services. This license permits activities such as:

• Accounting & Finance Consultancy
• Agriculture & Soil Consultancy
• Animal Welfare Societies
• Business Forums & Advisory Councils
• Management Consultancy
• Marketing & Information Services
• Hospitals & Rehabilitation Facilities
• Insurance Consultancy
• Beauty Salons
• Legal Assistance
• Translation & Typing Services
• Representative Offices
• Social Clubs & Social Work Activities

Industrial License : This license suits to businesses engaged in manufacturing activities within Dubai. Here's a glimpse into the permissible activities under an Industrial DED License:

• Manufacturing (general)
• Machines & Appliances
• Food Processing
• Woodworking & Wood Products
• Steel Fabrication
• Electricity Generation & Transmission
• Textile & Product Fabrication
• Petroleum Products Production
• Motorcycles & Replacement Parts
• Chemical Manufacturing
• Gold & Precious Stone Cutting
• Garment & Rug Production
• Ship Construction
• Waste Collection & Disposal
• Plastics Manufacturing
• Glass Repair & Lens Cutting
• Eyeglasses Production
• Leather Products Manufacturing
• Paper Products Manufacturing

Tourism License : this license suits to the businesses engaged in Tourism activities with in Dubai. The license permits activities such as

• Travel Agencies
• Hotels
• Resorts
• Restaurants catering to Tourists
• Car Rental Firms

How to choose the appropriate DED License Business Activity?

• Identify your core business activity
• Match your activity to the license category
• Check for specific Activity listings
• Consider related activities
• Seek professional Advice

1. Determine Your Company’s Legal Structure

A business structure is primarily based on the needs of the business and will determine the laws and regulations the company must adhere to.

1) Legal forms of the company

• Sole Establishment: A UAE business that is owned and operated by one individual with the trade licence that is issued in his or her own nameis known as a 'Sole Establishment' – also often known as a 'Sole Proprietorship' – in the UAE.
• Branch of GCC Company: Dubai has emerged as a prominent commercial center in the Middle East, luring businesses from diverse sectors across the globe. Setting up a branch in Dubai can offer various benefits for companies operating in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, which consist of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. By establishing a presence in Dubai, GCC firms can enhance economic, political, and cultural cooperation within the group. In this article, Choose UAE will delve into the advantages of creating a Dubai branch for your GCC company, the process involved, and how our services can aid you in this pursuit.
• Civil Company: A civil company or a civil establishment is a partnership between two or more individuals to provide professional services. Such as doctors, lawyers, engineers, accountants, and consultants. For a civil company formation in Dubai, the owners of the company can be professional partners of any nationality.
• Branch of Local Company: A Branch of a local company in Dubai will have its own license. Therefore, can also have its own labour and immigration cards, permitting it to hire staff specific to its license. Rather than being dependent on the immigration and labour cards of the parent company.
• Limited Liability Company: The most common type of business in the UAE is a Limited Liability Company (LLC). It comprises a minimum of two and maximum of fifty shareholders, each of whom is only liable for their part of its capital. An LLC can trade anywhere in the UAE and the Gulf Cooperation Council.
• Holding Company: A holding company is a legal entity which owns the shares, holds, and manages investments in other companies.  In other words, a holding company acts as a parent company managing its subsidiary company's legal liabilities. The UAE allows the incorporation of holding companies in all its Emirates.
• Public Joint Stock Company: PJSC is an organization whose capital is divided in to negotiable shares of equal value and a partner therein shall be liable only to the extent of his share in the capital of the company, in accordance with the UAE Federal Commercial Companies Law.

2. Register the Trade Name

The trade name is the name of the company, which must be unique and not be similar to the name of any other registered company. You can apply for a trade name through the chosen emirates either on its website or smart applications.  Certain points need to be considered during the process of registering the trade name.

• The trade name must have an abbreviation of the legal structure of the company as its suffix
• The trade name must not contain inappropriate words, and should not be offensive to the general public
• The trade name must be compatible with the chosen economic activities
• The trade name must not contain the names of rulers, government agencies, or the names and logos of government bodies
• The trade name must not be registered by any other company
• The trade name and trademark must be approved by the Department of Economic Development and the Ministry of Economy
• Trade name certificates are subject to renewal
  
  

3. Apply for Initial Approval

An initial approval is the UAE Government’s 'no objection' towards a particular business being established in the country. This approval also allows the investor to proceed with the next steps to set up a business and for the authorities to issue the license. It does not, however, grant the investor permission to run the business or practice the business activity.

4. Create LSA or MOA

A Memorandum of Association (MOA) is required if the legal form of the company is a civil company, limited liability company, public shareholding company, or private shareholding company. 

5. Choose Your Business Location

All businesses in the UAE must have a physical address to operate from. The company premises and location must comply with requirements specified by the emirate’s Department of Economic Development, as well as zoning policies and regulations of local municipalities or other competent authorities. In Dubai, the tenancy contract for office or warehouse space has to be registered through the Dubai Land Department’s Ejari portal.

6. Apply for Additional Government Approvals

In some cases, additional approvals from government entities governing certain business activities are required.

Economic activities that require additional approvals

• Ministry of Interior: General transport – driving schools, fire equipment, alarm and safety systems, used-car dealers, used auto-parts, car rental.
• Ministry of justice: Legal activities and legal consultancy
• Local Municipal department: Architectural and engineering affairs
• elecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA): Telecommunication activities
• Executive Council: Travel and tourism, general services, charter trading, ship and maritime agencies, car clubs, charter air transport and foreign company branches
• Ministry of Economy: Insurance activities and insurance consultancy
• Local health departments: Health-related activities
• Supreme Petroleum Council: Onshore and offshore gas and oil-field services and onshore and offshore oil drilling operations
  
  

7.Submit Required Documents

• Receipt of initial approval and copies of all previously submitted documents
• Copy of lease contract, duly attested
• Memorandum/s of Association, as required
• Approvals from other government entities, as required

8   Pay Fees and Collect License

Customers can collect the business license from service centres of the economic department or through their website.

9  Register Your Company with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry

• Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce & Industry
• Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Ajman Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• RAK Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• UAQ Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Fujairah Chamber of Commerce and Industry