Establish Your Company in Dubai

Dubai is a premier global business hub that attracts investors and entrepreneurs from around the world with its modern infrastructure, strategic location, and vibrant economy.

The city offers an ideal environment for both startups and established companies, featuring a streamlined regulatory framework and world-class facilities.

With a diverse community representing over 200 nationalities, Dubai fosters a rich, inclusive business atmosphere.

It is a top destination for multinational and international companies, providing a robust platform for global expansion and long-term success.

Dubai Department of Economic Development is the primary authority responsible for issuing trade licenses and regulating businesses in Dubai mainland.

Licenses Categories

Commercial License

Allows a company to do business activities under public trading, hospitals, clinics, construction, real estate, and other related activities.

Industrial License

Issued to companies that plan to open a manufacturing company in Abu Dhabi.

Professional License

This license is issued to companies with employees who are providing service for a particular craft. This includes carpentry, steelwork, and other artisanal-related activities.

Tourism License

This license is given to entrepreneurs who wish to operate in the travel and tourism sector of the UAE including hotels and travel agencies. The Abu Dhabi Tourism and Cultural Authority issues this license.

Types of Legal Structures in Dubai Mainland

General partnership

This involves two or more partners who are jointly and separately liable for the company’s obligations using their personal funds.

Sole Proprietorship

A business owned by one person, who is personally liable for all financial obligations and liabilities incurred by the business.

Limited Liability Company

A business entity in which partners' liability is limited to their capital share. A Limited Liability Company can be established and owned by a UAE national or any other individual or company, regardless of nationality, and can have multiple partners, up to 50.

Civil Company

This is a company owned by two or more partners practising a professional activity such as tailors, beauty salons, consultancy or training, etc.

Limited Partnership

A company formed of one or more general partners who have joint and separate liability, or one or more limited partners who have limited liability proportional to their capital shares.

Private Joint Stock Company

A company of this type has up to 200 shareholders with an equal division of capital into nominal value shares. It can be established and owned by one legal person (company), and its shares cannot be publicly offered.

Public Joint Stock Company

A company with capital divided into equal negotiable shares, where the founders subscribe to a portion of such shares, while the remainder is offered to the public through a public offering.

Branch office

A branch office is an extension of a foreign or local company, allowing it to operate in the UAE under its existing name and structure. The parent company is fully responsible for the branch’s liabilities

Represnetative office

Similar to a branch, but focused on promoting the parent company’s products and services rather than conducting direct commercial activities.

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License Type	Description	Office or Facility
Standard	Covers all types of business structures and activities	Required
Dual Licence	Enables businesses based in UAE Free Zones to open a branch in Abu Dhabi	May be required based on the activity
E-Trader License	License for specific commercial activities that does not require physical premises to start.	-

Steps for Setting Up Your Company in Dubai Mainland

1. Initial approval

The Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism reviews your trade licence application and documents, and gives initial approval for your business to be established in the jurisdiction. Initial approval allows you to proceed with the next step, such as securing business premises.

2. Reserve your trade name

You must now register your trade name, business activity and company structure; you can also reserve your trade name before the initial approval is granted. Dubai has specific rules to follow for selected a trade name.

3. Receive your business licence

After initial approval, you must:

Submit the initial approval receipt
Submit a duly attested memorandum of association (MoA)
- If the company is an LLC, one-person company or a civil company, the DET will issue the MoA
- For all other legal forms of company, a Notary can issue the MoA
Apply for and receive approval from other government entities, if required
Submit a duly attested service agent contract (for civil establishments and companies 100% owned by non-GCC nationals) if it involves a local service agent

After completing this process, you will receive your business licence – learn more about this process in the Al Wajeez guide.