SETUP YOUR DREAM BUISNESS IN DUBAI AND GROW YOUR FUTURE
Business setup packages in Dubai. Choose only what you need licensing, visas, and offices, guided by expert business setup consultants in Dubai.
Begin Your UAE Journey with Range business consultant
Establishing your company in the UAE requires understanding diverse jurisdictions. With Range business consultant, unlock your company full potential. Our expert consultants provide tailored guidance, ensuring alignment with your business goals. Trust Range business consultant to simplify the process to your business forward in the UAE’s dynamic landscape.
Business Setup types
• Mainland
• Freezone
• Offshore
Mainland Company Formation in Dubai
What exactly is a UAE mainland company and why is it so important to have one? A mainland company is a company licensed by the Department of economic development (DED) in the relevant Emirate of the United Arab Emirates. Here’s a summary of the benefits of company registration on the UAE mainland, plus a guide to business setup on the Dubai mainland.
Benefits of mainland company formation in Dubai
Setting up a mainland company in Dubai comes with many advantages. Here are some key benefits:
• Wider Business Opportunities: Mainland companies can trade anywhere in Dubai and across the UAE, giving you access to a larger market.
• Full Ownership: You can have 100% ownership of your business, providing you with full control and flexibility.
• Flexible Locations: Choose from various locations to set up your business, allowing you to find the best spot for your needs.
These benefits make mainland company formation an attractive option for entrepreneurs looking to grow and success.
Location flexibility and zero trade restrictions
With a Dubai mainland company, you can trade freely with other businesses and have unlimited location options. These companies can also offer services to the government and sell directly to consumers anywhere in the UAE. Plus, setting up a mainland company allows you to open multiple branches, establishing a strong presence throughout the Emirates.
Mainland businesses can take on a wide range of work. If you want to diversify your services within the mainland, simply re-register the new business activity with the DED, and you can start trading freely.
100% ownership control of mainland business entities
In recent years,HH Sheikh mohammed bin Rasid has allowed 100% foreign ownership of mainland companies in the UAE. This has been a welcome change for prospective overseas investors looking to conduct business in the Emirates. This is great news for international investors new to the Emirates. business owners can get straight down to business, without the need to canvass for an Emirati company or individual to act as a partner. 100% foreign ownership of mainland UAE business provides incredible potential for the UAE’s growth-machine economy to foreign investors.Certain sectors, such as oil and gas, still require a local partner.
Mainland Business Activities in Dubai
Professional Activities:
• Consultancy (legal, business, IT, etc.)
• Education and Training
• Healthcare (clinics, physiotherapy)
• Marketing and Advertising
• Creative Services (graphic design, content writing)
• Financial Services (banking, insurance)
• Event Planning
• Translation Services
Commercial Activities:
• General Trading (import/export, wholesale, retail)
• Retail (shops, malls)
• Food and Beverage (restaurants, cafes, bars)
• Transport and Logistics
• Real Estate and Property Management
Industrial Activities:
• Manufacturing and Production
• Factories and Assembly Plants
• Food Processing
Other Activities:
• IT and Software Development
• Accounting and Auditing
• Engineering
• Tourism Activities (hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions)
• Gyms and Fitness Centers
• Freelancing
• Virtual Assets and Related Activities (VARASA)
Choose your business activity
The first thing to decide before you set up a company in the UAE mainland is the industry in which you will trade. There are thousands of permitted will listed by the Department of Economic Development (DED). Some of these include trading, agriculture, hospitality and manufacturing. Unlike many free zone businesses that are restricted from certain activities based on their location, mainland businesses are free to trade in any of the 2000+ DED-listed activities.
Find the ideal location for your business in the UAE
Once you’ve decided your business activity, the next step is to decide where you wish to operate. Businesses on the UAE mainland incur no restrictions on where they can set up. The right location will depend on many factors such as budgeting and your chosen business activity. Should your company rely on imports and exports, then setting up near one of the UAE’s busy ports – Jebel Ali, Mina Zayed or Mina Khalid – makes perfect business sense. Another advantage of mainland business setup in Dubai is the ease of opening branch offices. This means businesses are not limited to one location and can build a large local presence over time.
Determine your business legal structure
From a legal standpoint, there are several types of businesses that can be set up by foreign entrepreneurs on the UAE mainland. The most common mainland business structure is a Limited Liability Company (LLC). An LLC is an independent legal entity owned by two or more shareholders. A business wishing to trade under a commercial or industrial licence (including industrial and manufacturing activities) must form an LLC to set up a company in the UAE mainland. This would require a local sponsor. By contrast, setting up a professional service company does not require a foreign sponsor and can be 100% foreign-owned. More on this next!
A local sponsor or local service agent
Previously, foreign entrepreneurs could only manage mainland business setup in Dubai by partnering with either a sponsor or local service agent. If trading under a commercial or industrial licence as an LLC then a local sponsor is required. Your local sponsor can either be a UAE national or a UAE-based company. In some cases, the local sponsor will own 51% of the business.
Range business consultant can provide you with a Corporate Nominee to act as your Local Partner. This allows you to retain 100% operational and financial control of the business and protects you against any risk. When setting up a professional company in the mainland, only a local service agent (LSA) is required. The LSA will not own any share of the business and will only act as a representative in all administrative dealings and with the government.
Name your company
Deciding on a company trade name that conveys your brand and professional values is one of the most important business decisions an entrepreneur can make. In the UAE, there are several considerations to keep in mind. Offensive language, religious references or inferences to other organisations are all forbidden. Only full personal names can be included in your company trade name. When it comes to your company trade name in different languages, all names must be written as they are sounded out, rather than translated. To know all the guidelines on naming your company, check our Choosing a Company Name will be UAE guide.
Apply for a mainland trade license
Now it’s time to apply for a mainland trade license from the Department of Economic Development. Several documents are required as part of a trade license application. These include a license application; memorandum of sponsor arrangements; and ownership percentage among all partners and shareholder visas, just to name a few.
Secure your office space
Once you’ve obtained a business trading licence, it’s time to secure an office space. In the UAE mainland, serviced offices are usually owned and maintained by a third party and contain everything you need to move in immediately. Desks, phone and internet access and reception services are some usual inclusions. Your lease payment would usually cover rent, use of office equipment and utility bills. The other end of the spectrum is a ‘shell and core’ type of office space. This usually requires a full fit-out and decoration, with bills on top of rent costs. A middle ground exists too, with office spaces pre-fitted, where the business owner simply provides their own equipment and pays bills separately.
Apply for relevant visas
There’s no limit with mainland visa apply for business owners in the UAE mainland. But the number of visas applied for should correspond with the amount of office space required. Usually, 100 sq. ft. of office or warehouse space per visa is the rule. There are circumstances where this may not be applicable. For example, if the business is a domestic cleaning company with 500+ employees working remotely, the office space needs would be decidedly smaller compared to manufacturing company. As the owner of a UAE mainland company, you will also be able to sponsor dependents such as family members and domestic staff (maids or drivers, for example) for their visas as well. Foreign entrepreneurs who establish business on the UAE mainland are also entitled to an investment visa which gives them and their families the right to live and work in the UAE for up to three years.
Partner with a Company Setup Consultant
Setting up a mainland company in the UAE requires a deep understanding of the legal and company formation process. Working with UAE-based business setup Range business consultant help take the stress out of setting up a company for overseas entrepreneurs. A Range business consultant can collaborate with you and understand your business goals. This will help you feel confident in starting a successful business on the Duabi mainland.
FREE ZONE COMPANY SETUP
With over 50 free zones in the UAE, how do you know which one is best for you? Setting up in the right free zone will position your business for success.
Range business consultant assists with company incorporation across more than 50 UAE free zones. There’s no doubt a lot of information to review and when making the decision on which free zone is best suited to your specific business requirements, including location, price, business type, flexi-desk or office space options, auditing and bookkeeping and share capital requirements, and much more.
The Range consultant team comes in, walking you through it step-by-step, steering you in the right direction, saving you money, and ultimately making the entire experience a stress-free one.
Advantages of Setting up in a Free Zone
• What are the main benefits to starting your company in a free zone
Retain Ownership
The main advantage offered by the UAE free zones is that foreign investors can retain 100% ownership of their businesses without the need for a local partner.
Business License
Some business categories require prior approvals from certain authorities. Contact us today for a free consultant. One of our experts will guide you through the necessary requirements to start your business
.
Financial Incentives
Other financial incentives of free zones includes a 0% income tax rate, no customs duties levied on imports and exports, and the option to repatriate 100% of the profits from the business.
Sector-Specific
Another factor that can present fantastic opportunities to free zone companies is that many of the UAE free zones are sector specific. This gives its entrepreneurs ready access to a hub of knowledge and expertise from others within their field.
Steps to Set Up a Company in a UAE Free Zone
Starting a business in Dubai is simple with Range buisness setup. We can help you set up in a free zone, on mainland or offshore.
You will be guided through the process step-by-step in a very transparent manner that gives you
a full overview of exactly where you are at any given time of the setup journey.
We do all the heavy lifting for you so that you don’t have to give anything a second thought, but we make sure you are well-informed along the way.
While the entire process can take as little as seven working days, Range business consultant is doing a lot behind the scenes to ensure your UAE free zone company setup is a complete success.
MAINLAND LICENCE PRICE
Package
• 100% business ownership
• Investor Visa Options Available
• All-inclusive licenses
• Corporate Banking Assistance
• FREE VAT Consultation
• License Approval in 24hrs
• Dedicated Account Manager
• AED 12,000
FREE ZONES LICENCES
IFZA Free Zone
• Package start
• Flexible license categories
• 100% ownership & repatriation
• No paid-up capital required
• Quick & digital setup process
• Strategically located in Dubai
• AED 12,900
Ajman Free Zone
• Package Includes
• Affordable licensing solutions
• 100% foreign ownership
• Easy office & warehouse leasing
• Quick business license issuance
• Investor-friendly environment
• Starting price
• AED 5,555
Ras Al Khaimah
• Package Includes
• Ideal for startups & SMEs
• Affordable setup with flexible packages
• Warehouses & offices available
• Easy access to seaports & airports
• Starting price
• AED 6,000*
DWTC Free Zone
(Dubai World Trade Centre)
• Package Includes
• Premium business location in Dubai
• Fast-track license approvals
• Trade license in one day
• Ideal for tech, media & MNCs
• 100% ownership + repatriation benefits
• AED 23,000*
Offshore
Package
• UAE Offshore Company Formation
• Starting @ AED 18,000* only
• Flexible Banking Assistance
• Registered Agent Services
• 100% ownership
• Remote Licensing
• Dedicated Account Manager
• Starting price
• AED 18,000*