Every step — from business name to your first employment visa — explained simply. No jargon.
Setting up a mainland company in Dubai means trading anywhere in the UAE, dealing directly with government entities, and sponsoring your own visas. The process has clear stages — once you know the sequence, it is straightforward. Here is exactly how it works.
Choose a trade name and reserve it through the DED (Department of Economy and Tourism). The name must comply with UAE naming rules — no offensive words, no references to religion, and no names already taken. You can reserve multiple options in case your first choice is unavailable.
DED portal or through a registered service provider like STJApply for initial approval from DED with the shareholders' passport copies and Emirates IDs (if applicable), the reserved trade name, and the business activity. DED confirms your activity is permitted and issues the initial approval — this is not the licence yet, but it authorises you to proceed.
Documents required vary by activity — some activities need additional approvals from sector regulatorsYou must have a physical office address. Sign a tenancy contract and register it through Ejari (the RERA tenancy registration system). DED will not issue your licence without a valid Ejari certificate. The office size and type must be appropriate for your activity.
Virtual offices are accepted for some activities — STJ can advise on the minimum requirement for your specific licenceThe MOA is the legal founding document of your company. It must be signed by all shareholders. If you are in Dubai, you can sign at a DED service centre or at a court-approved notary. If you are outside the UAE, the MOA can be signed and attested at the UAE embassy in your country — no need to travel.
STJ coordinates remote MOA attestation for clients not yet in the UAEOnce the Ejari is in place and the MOA is signed, DED issues your trade licence. This is your official permission to operate. The licence shows your company name, activity, and expiry date. It is renewed annually.
After the licence is issued, you register the company with GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs). This produces the establishment card — also called the immigration card. You cannot apply for any visa under your licence without this card. It takes 2–3 working days.
Before sponsoring employees, you need an employment quota from MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources). For mainland companies, a MOHRE inspector will visit your physical office to verify it exists and is suitable. Once the inspection passes, your quota is approved — this determines how many visas you can issue.
Inspection is typically scheduled within 1–2 weeks of applicationWith the establishment card and employment quota in place, you can apply for the investor/partner visa (for the shareholders) and employment visas for staff. Both follow the standard UAE residency process: entry permit → status change → Emirates ID → medical → visa stamping.
Investor visa validity: 3 years · Employment visa validity: 2 years| Stage | Authority | Typical Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Business name reservation | DED | 1–2 working days |
| Initial approval | DED | 1–3 working days |
| Ejari registration | RERA | 1 working day |
| MOA signing (in UAE) | DED / Court Notary | Same day |
| MOA signing (outside UAE) | UAE Embassy | 3–7 working days |
| Trade licence issued | DED | 2–5 working days |
| Establishment card | GDRFA | 2–3 working days |
| Employment quota & inspection | MOHRE | 1–2 weeks |
| Investor visa (full process) | GDRFA / ICA | 10–15 working days |
| Total (estimate) | 3–5 weeks |
Most delays happen at two points: the activity approval stage (some activities need additional NOCs from sector regulators that applicants don't anticipate) and the MOHRE inspection (if the office address doesn't match the registered address or the space is unsuitable). Both are avoidable with the right preparation from the start.
We handle the full process — name reservation to employment visa — with no hidden fees. You focus on your business. We handle every government touchpoint.
WhatsApp to Start Ontario Tower, Business Bay, Dubai · +971 54 599 5110Do I need a UAE national partner for a mainland company?
No. Since the 2021 Companies Law amendment, most commercial and professional activities allow 100% foreign ownership on the mainland. A few restricted activities (security, oil trading, certain manufacturing) still require a UAE national shareholder. We confirm this before you proceed.
Can I start the process if I'm not yet in the UAE?
Yes. Name reservation, initial approval, and MOA attestation through the UAE embassy can all be done remotely. You need to be in the UAE for Emirates ID biometrics once your visa is applied for — but that step comes at the end.
What activities can I do on a mainland DED licence?
Thousands of commercial, professional, and industrial activities. DED publishes an approved activity list. Some activities allow multiple activities on a single licence; others require a separate licence per activity. We help you structure this correctly from the start.
Is mainland better than a free zone?
It depends on your business model. Mainland allows you to trade directly with the local UAE market and government entities without restrictions. Free zones offer speed and sometimes lower initial costs but restrict direct local trading. See our comparison guide for a side-by-side breakdown.