Dubai Mainland, DET
Dubai Mainland company setup, licensed by DET.
DET, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, licenses Mainland companies that can trade across the UAE and bid for government work. With 100% ownership now open on most activities, one advisor handles your trade name, initial approval, office and license.
- 100% ownership on most activities
- Trade anywhere in the UAE
- Government contracts allowed
- Visas that scale with your office
Why Dubai Mainland
The whole UAE market, and full ownership.
A Dubai Mainland license from DET lets you trade across the whole UAE, take on government contracts and scale your team, with full ownership on most activities.
100% ownership
Own most Mainland activities outright since 2021, with no local sponsor.
Trade anywhere
Sell across the whole UAE and to the public, with no zone restriction.
Government contracts
Bid for Dubai and federal government tenders that Free Zones cannot.
Visas that scale
Your visa quota grows with your office space, with no fixed cap.
2,000+ activities
One of the widest activity lists in the UAE, across every sector.
Instant License option
DET issues a fast, one-step license for many eligible activities.
What DET issues
A license for every kind of business.
DET issues a license for almost any activity, from trading and consultancy to industry, tourism and E-commerce. We match the right one to your business.
Commercial license
Trading, import, export and general commerce.
Professional license
Consultancy and professional services, 100% owned.
Industrial license
Manufacturing, assembly, processing and packaging.
Tourism license
Travel, tour operators and tourism, regulated by DET.
Instant License
A one-step license for a fast start on eligible activities.
E-trader and E-commerce
Home-based and online selling permits for Dubai residents.
DET, formerly the Department of Economic Development (DED), is the Dubai Mainland authority. Not sure which license fits? An advisor will match it to your activity.
What it costs
The cost of a Dubai Mainland license.
Mainland costs more than a flexi-desk Free Zone because an office is required, but it buys full UAE market access. The total depends on your activity, office, visas and any approvals. These are the parts that make up the figure, and a quote based on your exact needs is more accurate than a single advertised price.
License and registration
Initial approval, trade name and the DET trade-license fee.
Office and Ejari
Mainland needs a physical office with a registered Ejari tenancy.
Visas and immigration
Establishment card and each residence visa, scaling with office size.
Activity and approvals
Some activities need external approvals that add to the total.
How we help
From activity to open for business.
- 01
Receive a Consultation
Share your activity, visa needs and budget in a quick call.
- 02
We Choose theactivity
We match your business to the right DET activity and license.
- 03
We file with DET
Trade name, initial approval, MoA, Ejari and the license, handled.
- 04
Visas and bank
We arrange your residence visas and a corporate bank intro.
Why FZM
A Dubai team who knows DET inside out.
We file with DET every week and work across every UAE Free Zone too, so our advice is built around your business, not a single license type. After 15 years and 1,500+ companies formed, we know when Dubai Mainland is the right call.
- Instant
- License option
- 1,500+
- Companies formed
- 15+
- Years in the UAE
- Dubai
- DET Mainland
Keep exploring
More on setting up in Dubai.
Good to know
Dubai Mainland questions, answered.
- What is DET, and how is it different from DED?
- DET is the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the authority that issues Mainland trade licenses in Dubai. It is the same body that was previously known as the Department of Economic Development (DED), so a DED license and a DET license are the same thing. We file your Mainland company directly with DET through the Invest in Dubai system.
- Can I own a Dubai Mainland company 100%?
- For most activities, yes. Since June 2021 the UAE has allowed 100% foreign ownership of Mainland companies across the large majority of commercial and industrial activities, with no Emirati partner. A small number of activities of strategic impact still require a local partner or agent, and we confirm where your specific activity falls before you commit.
- What is the difference between a Mainland and a Free Zone company?
- A Mainland company licensed by DET can trade anywhere in the UAE and bid for government contracts, but it needs a physical office with an Ejari tenancy. A Free Zone company is usually cheaper, can start on a flexi-desk and is great for international or in-zone trade, but selling directly to the local UAE market normally needs a distributor or a Mainland branch. We help you compare the two.
- How much does a Dubai Mainland license cost?
- It depends on your activity, your office, how many visas you need and any external approvals. The main costs are the DET license and registration, the office and Ejari, and visas and immigration. Mainland generally costs more than a flexi-desk Free Zone because an office is required, but it buys full market access. We confirm a fixed, all-in quote before you commit.
- Do I need an office for a Dubai Mainland company?
- Yes. A DET Mainland license requires a physical office or commercial space with a registered Ejari tenancy contract, and your visa quota is linked to that space. This is a key difference from Free Zones, where a flexi-desk is often enough. We can help you find a cost-effective office that meets the requirement.
- What license types does DET issue?
- DET issues commercial licenses for trading, professional licenses for services and consultancy, industrial licenses for manufacturing, and tourism licenses for travel and tour businesses. It also offers the one-step Instant License for eligible activities and e-trader permits for home-based and online sellers. We match the right license to your activity.
- How many visas can I get on a Dubai Mainland license?
- There is no fixed cap. The number of visas is tied to the size of your office space, so a larger premises supports more visas. For most small businesses that means a comfortable number from the start, with room to grow as you take on more space. We map your visa needs to the right office up front.
- What is the DET Instant License?
- The Instant License is a DET product that issues a trade license in a single step for many eligible activities, without waiting for a tenancy contract at the licensing stage. It is a fast way to get started and is ideal for new businesses that want to launch quickly. We confirm whether your activity qualifies and handle the application.
- What legal structure should a Dubai Mainland company take?
- DET licenses a range of Mainland structures. The most common is a Limited Liability Company (LLC) for trading and commercial activity, while a sole establishment or civil company suits many professional services. A Mainland company is registered directly with the government and operates under the same UAE laws as any domestic business, with no zone restriction. We recommend the structure that fits your activity, ownership and liability before filing.
- What documents do I need for a Dubai Mainland company?
- A typical DET application needs a completed application form, passport and visa copies for the shareholders, the Memorandum of Association (MoA), your tenancy contract registered as Ejari, and, for the few activities that still require it, a local service agent agreement. We prepare and check the full file for you, submit it through the Invest in Dubai system and pay the official fees on your behalf.
Maha BadrHighly recommended. A professional team, prompt on every detailed query and seamless on every requirement, trade license, corporate tax, bank account, residence ID, medical.
Largo HomeSimply impeccable. They didn't just meet deadlines, they anticipated them, with quick and effective solutions even in complex situations.
Maciej KolodziejczykVery efficient. Company formation, employment contract, residency visa, and all the prerequisites handled. Friendly and professional throughout.
Ready to incorporate
One advisor.From company formation to corporate banking.
A 30-minute consultation is all it takes to receive a tailored proposal, a transparent quotation, and a written roadmap delivered the same day. You will deal directly with an experienced advisor throughout the process.
- Response instantly
- Five languages spoken
- Independent. Not a license reseller.