Dubai Mainland Company Formation

Dubai is a global business hub, and company formation in the mainland is a great way to access the market and grow your business. Dubai Mainland companies have the freedom to trade within and outside the UAE, and they are exempt from corporate taxes.

Step By Step Process For Business Setup in Dubai Mainland:

Identify your business activity: The first step is to identify the type of business you want to set up. You will need to choose a legal structure, such as a limited liability company (LLC) or a joint stock company (JSC).

Register your trade name: You will need to register your trade name with the Department of Economic Development (DED).

Apply for initial approval: You will need to apply for initial approval from the DED. This process typically takes about 10 days.

Create a Memorandum of Association (MOA) and a Local Service Agent (LSA) agreement: The MOA is a document that sets out the terms and conditions of your company. The LSA agreement is a contract between your company and a local service agent who will provide administrative and compliance services.

Choose a business location: You will need to choose a business location in Dubai. You will need to obtain a lease agreement for your premises.

Apply for additional government approvals: Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to obtain additional government approvals, such as a health and safety permit or a food and beverage license.

Submit documents and pay fees: Once you have completed all of the necessary steps, you will need to submit your documents to the DED and pay the relevant fees.

There are many advantages to obtaining a business license in Dubai mainland, including:

100% repatriation of capital and profits: You can repatriate all of your profits and capital back to your home country.

Exemption from corporate taxes: Mainland companies are exempt from corporate taxes.

Freedom to trade within and outside the UAE: Mainland companies can trade freely within and outside the UAE.

No restrictions on the number of visas: You can sponsor as many employees as you need.

More freedom in conducting your business: Mainland companies have more freedom in conducting their business than free zone companies.

Ability to take government work: Mainland companies can bid on and win government contracts.

Access to a large and growing market: Dubai is a major business hub, and the mainland market is growing rapidly.

Favorable business environment: Dubai has a favourable business environment, with a low tax rate, a well-developed infrastructure, and a skilled workforce.

Here are some of the specific benefits of setting up a mainland company in Dubai:

100% ownership: Mainland companies can be 100% owned by foreign investors, which gives you complete control over your business.

No corporate taxes: Mainland companies are exempt from corporate taxes, which can save you a significant amount of money.

Freedom to trade: Mainland companies have the freedom to trade with any other company in the world, which gives you access to a much larger market.

No restrictions on visas: Mainland companies can sponsor as many employees as they need, which gives you the flexibility to hire the best talent.

Government contracts: Mainland companies are eligible to bid on and win government contracts, which can be a lucrative source of revenue.

 Benefits:

Permits complete foreign ownership

Enables business operations throughout the UAE

Allows ownership and rental of office spaces in Dubai mainland

Facilitates business transactions with government entities

Imposes fewer restrictions on nationalities for obtaining a trade license

Simplifies the process of opening bank accounts, particularly with traditional banks

Facilitates business scalability by easily adding more visas to the trade license.

Required Documents:

The necessary documents for business setup in Dubai Mainland can vary based on the business’s legal structure and its specific activities. Generally, the following documents are required:

Passport Copies.

Residency / Visit visa.

 Business Plan / CV.

Company Application Form.

 Proof of financial capability.

 Trade Name (minimum 5 tarde name).

Prerequisites for Establishing a Mainland Company:

1. Business Activity Selection:

Clearly define your business activities as they determine your company’s legal structure and licensing requirements. Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (DED) provides a comprehensive list of permitted activities for selection.

2. Legal Structure:

Choose an appropriate legal structure for your business, such as Sole Establishment, Limited Liability Company (LLC), or Public/Private Joint Stock Company. Each structure comes with distinct ownership and liability regulations.

3. Local Sponsorship:

For most business activities, having a local Emirati sponsor or partner is mandatory. They will hold a minority share (51%) in the company to ensure compliance with UAE law.

4. Trade Name Approval:

Selecting a unique and relevant trade name is crucial. The proposed name must align with your business activity and receive approval from the DED.

5. Business Plan:

Develop a comprehensive business plan outlining your company’s objectives, target market, financial projections, and growth strategies. This plan is essential for obtaining approvals and financial support.

6. Physical Address:

Secure a physical address for your business operations, such as a commercial office space or a flexi-desk arrangement in an authorized business center.

7. Initial Capital:

Depending on your business activity and structure, demonstrate a certain level of capital investment. The capital requirement varies across different sectors.