Hey everyone,
Just wanted to share a quick guide based on my experience setting up a business on the mainland in Dubai. If you’re planning to do the same, these steps might save you some time and confusion.
Start by figuring out exactly what kind of business you want to run. Your chosen activity decides the type of license you’ll need—whether it’s commercial, professional, or industrial. Take your time here because getting this right from the beginning avoids issues later.
Next up is choosing a trade name. Make sure the name is meaningful, not too similar to existing companies, and follows UAE’s naming rules. Once you’ve locked that in, apply for the initial approval—this step just confirms that the government has no objection to your business idea.
You’ll also need a physical office space. A mainland license requires a real location, and your tenancy contract (Ejari) will be part of your paperwork. Don’t skip this—it’s a must.
Then comes the MOA (Memorandum of Association). If you’re opening the business with a partner, this document defines how things are split and who does what. It needs to be signed and notarized before submission.
After that, submit all documents and pay the licensing fee. Once approved, you’re ready to
open mainland company in Dubai and legally operate.
Don’t forget the final touches—register for VAT if required, open a corporate bank account, and apply for your visas.
That’s pretty much it. I went through this not long ago, and trust me, having a clear plan makes the whole process a lot smoother. If anyone has questions, feel free to ask!