Mainland Company Setup With Brightlink

Start Your Business with Mainland Company Formation in UAE:

Mainland company formation in the UAE is more than just a legal process—it’s your gateway to long-term growth in one of the world’s most dynamic business hubs. So, why are smart entrepreneurs choosing the UAE mainland? Get ready for a journey through the powerful perks of setting up your business in Dubai’s thriving economic landscape!

Why Go Mainland?

Mainland registration gives you unrestricted access to local and international markets, flexible office locations, and the ability to trade freely across all emirates—without the limitations often found in free zones. And that’s just the beginning!

Step 1: Select Your Business Activity

Whether you’re launching a consultancy, e-commerce store, or trading company, we help you identify and register the right activity with the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED).

Popular License Types We Offer:

• Commercial Trading License
• Professional Services License
• E-commerce License
• Real Estate License
• Manufacturing & Industrial License

We offer tailored startup packages that include everything from licensing to visa support—anywhere in the UAE.

Step 2: Choose the Right Company Structure

Dubai’s business ecosystem offers flexibility and multiple structure options to suit your goals. The most common choice is the Limited Liability Company (LLC), but it’s not your only path.

Available Mainland Structures:

• LLC (Limited Liability Company)
• Sole Establishment
• Civil Company
• Branch of a Foreign Company
• Representative Office

Our experts will help you select the optimal structure based on your activity, budget, and long-term vision.

Step 3: Securing A Trade Name For Your Dubai Mainland Business

Choosing and registering a trade name is a crucial first step in establishing your business identity in Dubai. It not only reflects your brand but also ensures legal protection and compliance with UAE regulations.

What is a Trade Name?

A trade name is the official name under which your business will operate. It appears on all legal documents, licenses, and marketing materials, helping customers recognize and remember your brand.

Why It Matters:

• It gives your business a professional identity.
• It’s legally required for company registration.
• It distinguishes you from competitors.
• It is needed to move forward with licensing and visa processes.

How Brightlink Helps You Secure a Trade Name

Our expert consultants handle the entire trade name registration process, including:

1. Name Availability Check
   • We ensure your preferred name is unique and not already in use.
2. Compliance with DED Guidelines
   • Trade names must follow specific rules set by the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED), such as:
     • No offensive or religious language
     • Must reflect the business activity (if applicable)
     • No abbreviations of personal names (e.g., M.A. Trading not allowed)
     • Certain words like “International” or “Middle East” may require additional approvals
3. Name Reservation
   • Once approved, we reserve your trade name with the DED, valid for 6 months.
4. Document Preparation & Submission
   • We help prepare all necessary documents for trade name registration and ensure smooth submission.
5. Ongoing Support
   • Need to modify your name later? We assist with trade name amendments and renewals too.

💡 Pro Tip:

Choose a name that’s not only legally compliant but also memorable, brandable, and relevant to your services or products.

Step 4: Obtaining Initial Approval from DED (Department of Economic Development)

What Is It?
Initial approval is a no-objection certificate (NOC) issued by the DED that allows you to proceed with setting up your business in Dubai. It means the government has no objection to you starting a business under the proposed activity and structure.

Why Is It Important?
This is one of the mandatory early steps in the company formation process. Without it, you cannot move forward with tasks like drafting the Memorandum of Association (MOA), signing lease agreements, or finalizing licensing.

Documents Required:

The exact requirements may vary slightly depending on the business activity and legal structure, but generally, you’ll need:

• Proposed Trade Name Reservation Certificate
• Selected Business Activities List
• Passport copies of all shareholders/partners
• UAE visa copies or entry stamp (if applicable)
• Emirates ID copy (if available)
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from current sponsor (if any shareholder holds a UAE residence visa)
• Initial approval application form (can be filled online or through a service provider)

Application Process:

1. Submit Trade Name & Business Activity Selection:
   • You must have a reserved and approved trade name, along with the selected business activities that fall under DED’s approved list.
2. Prepare & Submit Required Documents:
   • Submit the required documents to DED online (through their portal) or via a registered business consultant like Brightlink
3. DED Review:
   • The DED will review the proposed business activity, trade name, ownership structure, and documents.
4. Receive Initial Approval Certificate:
   • Once approved, you will receive an official certificate of initial approval. This is valid for 6 months, during which you must complete the remaining steps of company formation.

Processing Time:

Typically, this takes 1–3 business days, provided all documents are in order.

Important Notes:

• This approval does not yet allow you to operate or conduct business—it only allows you to proceed with formalizing the company.
• If your business activity is considered “special,” such as legal, medical, education, or engineering, you may need additional approvals from relevant authorities (e.g., Dubai Health Authority, KHDA, etc.).

Step 5: Draft & Notarize the Memorandum of Association (MOA)

The Memorandum of Association (MOA) is one of the most crucial legal documents required for mainland company formation in the UAE. It defines your company’s legal structure, ownership, operational scope, and responsibilities of shareholders.

What is the MOA?

The MOA outlines the framework of your business, including:

• Business activities and objectives
• Shareholding structure
• Capital contribution of each shareholder
• Profit and loss distribution
• Roles and responsibilities of partners
• Decision-making and dispute resolution procedures

This document is legally binding and must comply with UAE Commercial Companies Law.

Step-by-Step Process:

1: Determine Company Structure and Shareholding

Decide on:

• The total number of shareholders (can be individuals or corporate entities)
• The capital contribution of each shareholder
• The legal structure (e.g., LLC, Civil Company, etc.)

📌 For LLCs, the typical shareholding ratio is 51% UAE national and 49% foreign investor unless the activity allows 100% foreign ownership.

2: Draft the MOA

• A legal draft is prepared in Arabic (with optional English translation).
• Content is customized based on your business activity and agreed shareholding terms.
• You may work with a legal consultant or business setup advisor like Brightlink to ensure full legal compliance and accuracy.

3: Review by All Shareholders

• Each shareholder must review and approve the contents of the MOA.
• Any clauses regarding capital, management rights, profit sharing, or dispute resolution should be mutually agreed upon.

4: Notarization at UAE Public Notary

• All partners (or their authorized representatives) must appear in person or through Power of Attorney.
• The notarization is done at a Dubai court or authorized notary office.
• Valid identification documents (e.g., passport, Emirates ID, POA if applicable) are required.
• Once signed, the MOA is legally stamped and becomes part of your company’s public record.

🕒 Processing Time:

Typically, 1–2 business days, depending on notary scheduling and documentation readiness.

🔒 Post-Notarization Use:

After notarization, the MOA is submitted along with other documents to the Department of Economic Development (DED) for final license issuance.

Step 6: Choose a Business Location

Selecting the right business location is a vital step in establishing your mainland company in Dubai. Your physical address must meet specific regulatory requirements and play a strategic role in your business operations.

Why Business Location Matters in Dubai Mainland Setup:

• It determines your company’s legal jurisdiction.
• A valid Ejari (tenancy contract) is required to obtain and renew your trade license.
• Location can impact your target market reach, staff accessibility, and even banking and visa eligibility.

Types of Business Locations You Can Choose:

1. Office Space
   • Required for most commercial and professional licenses
   • Minimum size requirements typically start from 200 sq. ft.
   • Must be registered under the Ejari system (Dubai’s online rental registration system)
2. Business Centers / Flexi-Desks
   • Suitable for startups or low-budget operations
   • Provides a legal address with shared desk facilities
   • Acceptable for visa quota in many cases
3. Retail or Industrial Premises
   • For companies involved in trading, manufacturing, or warehousing
   • Must be zoned according to activity and meet DED and Dubai Municipality standards

Documents Required for Location Approval:

• Ejari-registered Tenancy Contract
• Title Deed copy of the premises
• Location map or premises layout (if needed)

How Brightlink Can Help:

• Recommend strategic locations based on your business type
• Coordinate viewings and negotiate lease agreements
• Ensure your space is DED-compliant and eligible for license issuance
• Assist in obtaining and registering your Ejari contract
• Advise on space requirements based on visa quota and activity

💡 Pro Tip:

Choosing a centrally located and easily accessible office can enhance your brand credibility and customer trust—especially in sectors like consulting, finance, legal, and retail.

Step 7: Submit Documents & Pay Fees

This step finalizes your company registration with the Department of Economic Development (DED). Once your trade name is approved, your MOA is notarized, and your business location is secured, you’re ready to officially submit your documents and pay the required government fees.

Documents Typically Required:

1. Initial Approval Certificate (from DED)
2. Notarized Memorandum of Association (MOA)
3. Ejari Tenancy Contract & Title Deed Copy
4. Passport copies of all shareholders
5. Visa or entry stamp copies (if applicable)
6. Trade Name Reservation Certificate
7. External approvals (if required for certain activities, e.g., health, legal, education)

Government Fees Include:

• License issuance fee (varies by activity and company type)
• Trade name registration fee
• Market fee (usually a % of annual rent)
• Service agent fees (if applicable)
• Chamber of Commerce registration fee

💡 Estimated cost can range from AED 10,000 to AED 25,000+ depending on business type, number of visas, and location.

Process Overview:

1. Document Compilation
   All finalized and signed documents are gathered and checked for compliance.
2. DED Submission
   Your file is submitted either online or at a DED service center (or via an authorized consultant like Brightlink).
3. Payment of Fees
   Government and administrative fees are paid via DED’s portal or service counter.
4. License Issuance
   Upon successful processing, you receive your official Mainland Trade License, which authorizes you to legally operate your business in Dubai.

Step 8: Receive Your Mainland Trade License

This is the final and most important step in your Dubai mainland company formation journey. Once all documents have been submitted and government fees paid, the Department of Economic Development (DED) will issue your Mainland Trade License, officially registering your business and authorizing it to operate in the UAE.

What Is a Mainland Trade License?

A Mainland Trade License is a legal document issued by the DED that defines:

• Your business name and activity
• Legal structure (e.g., LLC, sole proprietorship)
• License validity period (usually 1 year)
• Details of shareholders and office location

You need this license to:

• Conduct business legally in the UAE
• Open a corporate bank account
• Apply for employee and investor visas
• Sign contracts and issue invoices

What You’ll Receive:

• Trade License Certificate
• DED License Number
• Chamber of Commerce Certificate
• Company Establishment Card (for immigration/visa processing)

Timeline:

Once all previous steps are completed, you can typically receive your trade license within 1–2 business days.

Brightlink’s Assistance Includes:

• Monitoring DED processing and ensuring quick delivery
• Verifying license details and activity codes for accuracy
• Delivering your license electronically and physically (if needed)
• Guiding you on next steps: visa applications, bank account setup, and compliance

What’s Next After Getting the License?

• Apply for UAE residency visas (for investors and employees)
• Open your corporate bank account
• Begin business operations and marketing
• Keep track of license renewal and ongoing compliance

Step 9: Apply for Visas & Open a Bank Account

Once your mainland trade license is issued, you’re ready to complete the final setup process: applying for UAE residence visas and opening a corporate bank account. These steps legally enable you to live, work, and transact through your company in the UAE.

1: Apply for UAE Residence Visas

As a business owner (and for your employees), a valid residence visa is required to legally live and work in the UAE.

Visa Application Process:

1. Establishment Card (Immigration File Opening):
   Required to apply for visas under your company. Issued by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA).
2. Entry Permit (if applicant is outside the UAE):
   A temporary visa to allow entry into the country (valid for 60 days).
3. Status Change:
   Convert the entry permit into a residency visa through an in-country process.
4. Medical Test & Emirates ID Registration:
   Includes blood test and chest x-ray. Also required to apply for a national ID.
5. Visa Stamping on Passport:
   Final step where the residency visa is stamped, valid for 2 or 3 years depending on business type.

💡 As a company owner, you can also sponsor family members after obtaining your visa.

2: Open a Corporate Bank Account

Opening a business bank account is mandatory for financial operations like receiving payments, paying suppliers, and managing expenses.

Documents Required:

• Trade license
• Shareholder Emirates IDs & visas
• MOA (Memorandum of Association)
• Tenancy contract (Ejari)
• Company stamp
• Company profile or business plan
• Passport copies of all shareholders

💡 Some banks may ask for additional documents such as invoices, client contracts, or proof of future business.

Timelines:

• Visa process:
  • 5–7 working days (if all documents are in order)
• Bank account opening:
  • 7–14 working days (depending on the bank and compliance checks)

How Brightlink Helps:

• Ensuring compliance to speed up account approvals
• Full visa application and typing support
• Scheduling and escorting for medical & ID appointments
• Corporate bank account introductions with top UAE banks