# Dubai Mainland Company Formation

> A Dubai mainland company is licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism and can trade anywhere in the UAE, including with government entities. Since 2021, most commercial and industrial activities allow 100% foreign ownership. The steps are activity selection, trade name reservation, initial approval, memorandum of association, a physical office lease registered with Ejari, the trade licence, and then visas and a bank account.

Practice: UAE Business Services — https://www.industax.com/services/uae-business/

Mainland suits businesses that sell to UAE customers, need local contracts or want a retail presence. Costs depend on the activity, office space and visa quota, so we price the full first-year cost before you commit.

We coordinate formation through partner UAE agents, then register the company for corporate tax and, where required, VAT, and set up the Indian side under the overseas investment rules.

## Key facts

| Item | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| Licensing authority | Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism |
| Ownership | 100% foreign for most activities |
| Office | Physical lease registered with Ejari |
| After licence | Corporate tax registration; VAT if over threshold |

## Who needs this

- Indian businesses selling to UAE customers
- Founders relocating to Dubai
- Companies bidding for local contracts

## What's included

- Activity and cost planning
- Formation via partner agents
- Tax registrations
- Indian ODI reporting

## Documents

- Passports and visa pages
- Business plan and activities
- Parent company documents (for subsidiaries)

## Process

1. **Plan** — Activity, ownership and office chosen.
2. **License** — Approvals and trade licence issued.
3. **Operate** — Visas, bank and tax registrations.

Work that legally requires a licensed local adviser is signed by a partner professional; Indus Tax coordinates it.

## FAQs

### Can an Indian own 100% of a Dubai mainland company?

For most activities, yes. A few strategic activities still need local participation or special approvals.

### Do I need an office in Dubai mainland?

Yes, a physical office lease registered with Ejari is generally required, and its size affects the number of visas you can obtain.

### Does an Indian resident need approval to own a UAE company?

Indian residents invest abroad under the Overseas Investment Rules — usually without prior approval, with reporting through an authorised dealer bank.

## Official sources

- Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism: https://www.dubaidet.gov.ae/
- UAE Federal Tax Authority (EmaraTax): https://tax.gov.ae/

---
Canonical page: https://www.industax.com/services/uae-business/dubai-mainland-company-formation
Publisher: Indus Tax — CA-led tax and compliance firm (https://www.industax.com). Contact: info@industax.com, 9059139258.
This is general information, not advice for your specific facts.