Mainland Company

A Mainland Company lets you operate anywhere in the UAE and bid for on-shore contracts. Typical government + basic setup costs start from a mid four-figure AED range depending on activity and emirate. Expect ~1–3 working days for initial approvals and ~2–5 working days to issue the license after documents are complete. A physical office (Ejari) is usually required; visa quotas depend on office size/category. For trading or client-facing services across UAE, Mainland is the default choice.

Key Facts

Widest operating scope across the UAE (no geographic restriction).
Eligible for on-shore tenders and government/private contracts.
Physical office/lease typically required (Ejari).
Range of legal forms (LLC, Sole Establishment, Civil Company, etc.).
Visas available subject to office size/category.

Steps to Set Up

Choose activity & legal form (LLC, Sole Establishment, etc.).
Reserve trade name & obtain initial approval.
Secure office lease (Ejari) and external approvals (if any).
Draft MOA/LSA (where applicable) and notarize.
Submit documents to obtain license; apply for establishment card.
Open corporate bank account; process visas as needed.

Documents Required

Passport & visa/entry permit of shareholders & manager.
Passport photos, Emirates ID (if resident).
Trade name reservation & initial approval.
Lease/Ejari & location plan.
MOA/LSA and related legal docs (as applicable).

Timeline

Name approval & initial approval: ~1–3 working days.
Lease & approvals (if needed): varies by activity.
License issuance: ~2–5 working days after docs complete.

Compliance Notes

Maintain lease/Ejari and renew license annually.
Bookkeeping, VAT (if applicable), and UBO reporting.
Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) if applicable.
Annual audits for certain activities/legal forms.

Banking Guidance

Prepare KYC pack (business model, invoices, contracts).
Prefer reputed banks; timeline ~1–3 weeks post-license.
Maintain average balance per bank policy to avoid fees.

FAQs

Can a Mainland Company trade across all emirates?

Yes. Mainland licenses allow on-shore operations across the UAE, subject to activity approvals.

Do I need a local partner?

For many LLC activities foreign ownership can be 100% (per current rules); some activities may still need a UAE national agent/partner—check your category.

Are visas available?

Yes. Visa quotas depend on office size/category and local rules.