Mainland Formation
Mainland Company Formation in the UAE
Thinking about starting your business in the UAE?
Why Choose a Mainland Company?
No Location Limits
Operate anywhere in the UAE and abroad.
Government Access
Bid for contracts and tenders directly.
Unlimited Expansion
Flexible Visa Quota
Broad Activity Scope
Direct Import/Export
High Credibility
Trusted by banks, suppliers, and corporate clients.
Mainland Business Activity Categories
Pick the activity category that aligns with how your mainland company will operate day-to-day.
Best suited for trading and revenue-generating product activities across the UAE.
- Trading & contracting
- Logistics & supply chain
- Real estate brokerage
- Automotive sales
- E-commerce & online stores
- F&B operations
- Gold & jewellery trading
Ideal for individuals and firms offering specialist, knowledge-based services.
- Consultancy & advisory services
- IT services & engineering
- Healthcare & clinical practice
- Education & training providers
- Legal practice
- Marketing & creative agencies
- Training & coaching firms
Tailored for production, processing and manufacturing-led businesses.
- Manufacturing & processing
- Assembly operations
- Packaging & repackaging
- Food production
- Jewellery manufacturing
Regulated Activities & Approvals
Some sectors require approvals from specialist authorities before a DED mainland licence can be issued.
Municipality Food Control, HACCP compliance and RTA permits for delivery kitchens and fleets.
SIRA/police clearance, customs registration and AML compliance (goAML, UBO, KYC).
DHA/DOH licensing and ongoing inspections according to facility type and location.
KHDA (Dubai) or ADEK (Abu Dhabi) approvals for schools, nurseries and training institutes.
DTCM or local tourism authority approvals for hotels, holiday homes and tour operators.
Approvals from the Ministry of Justice and courts for advocacy and legal consultancy.
Municipality classification and Society of Engineers membership for design and contracting firms.
MOHAP licensing and product approvals for manufacturing, import or distribution.
Content and activity approvals from the National Media Council or equivalent authority.
Customs and ministry permits for import, export and trading of restricted goods.
Each Emirate Has Unique Advantages
Your choice of emirate impacts cost, approvals and how you position your brand in the UAE market.
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Global hub for trade, gold, tourism, F&B, real estate and logistics.
Competitive for manufacturing, culture, education and logistics-focused operations.
Affordable, SME-friendly environment for trading and service businesses.
Low-cost niche markets and lean business models.
Strong base for industry, hospitality and property development.
East-coast access for shipping, marine services and logistics.
Common Legal Structures
Your legal structure defines ownership, liability and how banks, partners and regulators view your entity.
Company Formation Process
A practical roadmap from selecting your jurisdiction to becoming fully banked and visa-ready.
Align your jurisdiction and activity list with sector focus, customer base and cost profile.
Decide between LLC, Sole Establishment, Civil Company, Branch or Representative Office.
Submit compliant name options and secure the approved trade name from DED.
Obtain initial “no-objection” confirmation to proceed with your company setup.
For regulated sectors, obtain approvals from DHA, KHDA, SIRA, MOHAP, DTCM or other regulators.
Prepare and notarise documentation according to your ownership structure and activity mix.
Finalise office or flexi-desk lease and register Ejari (or equivalent) with the authorities.
File all approvals, documents and tenancy details for final licence issuance.
Your company is now legally formed and ready to operate in the UAE mainland.
Proceed with corporate banking, investor and staff visas, plus VAT/Corporate Tax registration if applicable.
Conclusion
A mainland company gives you unlimited market access, strong credibility, and room to grow. It’s the go-to choice for investors aiming to operate across all emirates, secure government projects, and expand without restrictions.
At SRP CONSULTING, we handle the process end-to-end — from selecting the best emirate and securing approvals to ensuring a seamless, fully compliant setup tailored to your business goals.