Setup Your Business inside UAE
Unlock the Entire UAE Market with a Mainland Business
✔ Trade freely across all 7 emirates, GCC, and internationally
✔ Bid for government contracts
✔ Access 100% ownership in key sectors
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When a Mainland License Beats Free Zones
- Full Market Access – No restrictions on local clients
- Government Tenders – Eligible for lucrative public projects
- Unlimited Visas – Scale your team without quotas
- Prime Locations – Set up anywhere in the UAE
- Flexible Visas – Investor + employee quotas
- Ownership Flexibility – 100% foreign ownership in 2,400+ activities
Strategic Mainland Locations Across the UAE
Find Your Perfect Business Hub
Dubai Mainland (DED)
〉Best for: Global trade, tourism, tech startups
〉Key perk: 100% ownership in 1,000+ activities - Access to government tenders & local supply chains - Unlimited employee visas
Abu Dhabi Mainland (DED)
〉Best for: Energy, healthcare
〉Key perk: Fast-track licensing for priority sectors - Lower office space requirements vs. Dubai
Sharjah Mainland (SEDD)
〉Best for: Industrial manufacturing, logistics
〉Key perk: 50% lower operational costs than Dubai - Special incentives for factories
Ajman Mainland (ADED)
〉Best for: SMEs, low-budget startups
〉Key perk: Cheapest mainland licenses (from AED 7,000) - No NOC needed for most activities - Fast approvals (3-5 days)
Ras Al Khaimah Mainland (RAK DED)
〉Best for: Industrial, agriculture, tourism
〉Key perk: 0% income tax guarantee until 2045 - Lowest electricity/utility costs in UAE
Fujairah Mainland (FED)
〉Best for: Trading, shipping, bunkering
〉Key perk: No corporate tax for offshore trading - Strategic port access - Minimal office requirements
Local Sponsor Solutions
Your Hassle-Free Local Partner Options
In the UAE, a local sponsor is an Emirati national who assists foreign investors in establishing their businesses. Traditionally, this involved the sponsor holding 51% ownership, but recent legal reforms now allow for 100% foreign ownership in most business sectors. Sponsorship arrangements generally fall into two categories:
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) – which may have single or multiple foreign shareholders without a local partner, depending on the business activity and legal requirements.
- Sole establishments for professional activities – which require a local service agent who holds no ownership, unless the entity is formed as an LLC.
Since 2021, the requirement for a local sponsor has been removed for most sectors, with a few strategic exceptions. Today, the sponsor’s role is typically limited to legal and administrative representation, usually in exchange for a fixed annual fee.
Business Registration Process
From Application to Operation – Done in Days
Day 1
Activity Approval
Day 3
Trade Name Reservation
Day 5
Initial Approval
Day 7
License Issuance
Day 10
Visa Processing
Visa & Immigration Support
Investor visas
Employee visas + family sponsorship
Medical checks & Emirates ID processing
Frequently Asked Questions
Under UAE’s updated Commercial Companies Law, 100% foreign ownership is permitted for most mainland activities, except for a few reserved sectors (e.g., oil/gas, security). Always verify your activity’s eligibility.
Costs vary:
Service Agent (no profit share): AED 10K–15K/year.
Yes! You can re-register as a mainland entity, but the process involves license cancellation, new approvals, and potential fees.
Not always. While mainland licenses may have higher initial costs, they offer unrestricted market access, avoiding free zone limitations.
Yes, Ejari-registered office space is mandatory, but flexible options (e.g., coworking spaces) are available.
No—mainland companies can sponsor unlimited visas for employees/dependents, similar to free zones.
Yes! Mainland businesses can trade locally and internationally without intermediaries.
No. The UAE’s 9% corporate tax (above AED 375K profit) applies uniformly, with exemptions for free zones under certain conditions.
No. With a Service Agent, they only fulfill legal requirements—no operational control. Profit-sharing partners require clear MOU terms.
Typically 3–14 days, depending on activity and document processing.
Ready to start a conversation?
Our expert team is here to answer your questions and guide you toward the right license for your needs. Get in touch today and discuss how Seen can help you turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality.
