Business Set-Up - Dubai Mainland

Business-focused legal support for business set-up in the UAE, helping companies reduce risk and move forward with confidence.

Company Incorporation & Formation in UAE (Mainland)

We guide businesses in choosing and establishing the right structure; covering liability, tax, and regulatory requirements to build a strong legal foundation.

In-depth description

Incorporation and Formation service offers expert guidance on choosing and establishing the right business structure. We provide insights into each structure’s liability, tax implications, and regulatory requirements, helping businesses make informed decisions for a strong legal foundation.

Scope of work

  • Prepare all required application forms for the chosen jurisdiction (mainland or free zone).
  • Draft the company’s constitutional documents (e.g., Memorandum of Association).
  • Manage the submission of the entire application file to the relevant authority.
  • Liaise with the authority until the trade license and corporate documents are issued.

Price range

AED 15,000 – AED 250,000
Cumulative assessment – billed Lump Sum.

Primary Determinants of Pricing
Existing structure, number of shareholders and stakeholders.
Private or public company.
Class of shares.

Deliverables

  • The company’s official Trade License.
  • The registered Memorandum of Association.
  • The Establishment Card and other ancillary corporate registration documents.

Do you need to trade freely across the UAE?

Do you need to work directly with UAE government entities?

Mainland companies can bid on government contracts and operate across all UAE emirates without free zone restrictions.

Are you in retail, hospitality, or consumer services?

Most consumer-facing businesses require a mainland licence to operate physical premises across the UAE legally.

Do you need a UAE bank account with strong local ties?

Mainland companies typically have an easier time opening corporate bank accounts with UAE-based banks than free zone entities.

Do you want to operate in any location across the UAE?

Free zone companies are restricted to their zone. A mainland licence lets your business operate anywhere without limitations.

Frequently asked questions

A Dubai mainland LLC is licensed by the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED). It can trade freely across the UAE and internationally, take on government and corporate contracts that exclude free zone entities, and operate from any commercial location in Dubai, making it the strongest option for B2C and broad B2B activity.
Yes, for most activities. The 2021 Commercial Companies Law reform removed the 51% UAE national ownership requirement for the majority of commercial sectors. A narrow list of strategic activities still requires local ownership or participation. Activity-by-activity confirmation should be done before applying.
 
DED licensing categories include commercial, professional, industrial and tourism licenses. Each covers a specific scope of activities. Combining activities under a single license is possible within the same category but cross-category combinations may require multiple licenses or affiliated structures.
Yes. A valid tenancy contract (Ejari) is required as part of the licensing process. Some flexible workspace arrangements meet the requirement for smaller operations. Physical office is also relevant to substance requirements under UAE corporate tax and to employee visa quota allocation.

Mainland offers full UAE market access, eligibility for government tenders and broader activity scope. Free zones offer simplified setup, sector clusters and historically more flexible tax positioning. Many businesses operate with both, using mainland for trading and a free zone entity for holding or specialist activity.

Key contacts:

Romain Astruc

Managing Partner – Generalist, Advisory & Litigation

Gabriel Elmarzouki

Associate – Corporate, Commercial & Litigation

Robin Cordeiro

Associate – Corporate and Regulatory Consultant

Get in touch

Other services you might need

A Dubai Mainland LLC requires immediate action on banking, employment and compliance. These are the most pressing next steps.

HR & Employment Contracts for UAE Businesses

Mainland companies must comply with UAE Labour Law from the first hire. We draft compliant contracts and policies.
Learn more

Bank Account Opening Assistance in the UAE

Your mainland LLC needs a UAE corporate account. We prepare your KYC documentation and manage the bank process.
Learn more

Regulatory Compliance for UAE Businesses

Mainland companies face UBO, ESR, VAT and corporate tax obligations. We keep you compliant as regulations evolve.
Learn more

WHAT SET US APART

Why ASTRUC & Co

A Dubai mainland LLC unlocks full UAE market access. We make sure your setup is structured to support your commercial ambitions.

1.

Business-first advice

Mainland incorporation suits many businesses – but activity lists, ownership rules and licensing vary. We analyse your specific situation carefully before recommending any

2.

End-to-end service

DED licence, Ejari, bank account, employment contracts, VAT registration and corporate tax setup – we handle the full process so your company is legally ready to trade from

3.

Cross-border fluency

For European companies expanding into the UAE mainland, we bring knowledge of both the origin jurisdiction and the DED licensing framework – avoiding errors non-specialist

More than legal counsel

With you, all the way

Life in the UAE brings extraordinary opportunities — and equally complex legal realities. Whether you’re relocating your family, navigating a divorce across jurisdictions, or structuring an inheritance that spans continents, you deserve a legal partner who understands both the technicalities and the human side of what you’re going through. At ASTRUC & Co, we treat every client’s situation as if it were our own.

From our offices in Dubai to our network spanning Riyadh, Paris, and Luxembourg, we bring senior-level attention to every matter — personal or financial. We believe the best legal advice is honest, clear, and delivered by someone who genuinely cares about the outcome. That’s why our clients stay with us, and why they come back when life presents its next chapter.

Ready to move forward?

Book a consultation with our team to discuss your situation and explore the right legal and strategic approach for your business.

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Merger and Acquisition
  • Set-up of the Workstreams related to the Transaction
  • Legal Due Diligence
  • Tax Due Diligence
  • Negotiating and Drafting the SPA
  • Assistance related to Conditions Precedents
  • Registration of the Transaction with the Authorities
Private Equity
  • Advisory on PE life cycle from Fund Formation, Capital Deployment, M&A, etc.
  • Advisory on Financing Rounds and Execution
  • Drafting of Prospectus, Investment Case, Risk Warnings and Investment Disclaimers, etc.
  • Drafting of Shareholders Agreements
  • Advisory on Board of Directors Structuring and Execution
  • Drafting of Policies, Charts and other JVAs
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Banking &Finance
  • Banking loan documentation negotiation and review including requested securities
  • Account opening requirements and forms
  • Compliance controls upon onboarding as a bank customer and regular updates to allow flawless funds repatriation
  • Escalation if needed with banking authorities and preparing file for litigation
  • Arabic speaker for immediate translation or intermediation with third parties including local authorities.
Commercial
  • Commercial Agency – Contract Drafting and Litigation
  • Rent-Sales Contract – Contract Drafting, Contract Management and Litigation
  • Logistic Services Contract
  • IT Services Contract
  • Intermediary Contract
  • Other Services Contract
Construction
  • FIDIC Short Form of Contract
  • FIDIC Larger or more complex projects (the Construction Contract)
  • FIDIC Contractor doing the Design (Plant and Design-Build Contract)
  • FIDIC EPC/Turnkey Contract
  • Review of Ad Hoc Contracts
  • Assistance for Management of the Contract
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Employment Relationship
  • Assistance during Recruitment Phase with Executive Search Agents or Recruitment Agency
  • Drafting Offer Letter and Employment Contract
  • Drafting Disciplinary Policy and Documentation
  • Registration of Company with Labour Authorities
  • Registration of Employee with Labour Authorities
  • Assistance During Disciplinary Proceedings
  • Termination Strategy and Execution
  • Litigation Services
HR Strategy – Advisory Services
  • Labour Market Analysis
  • Labour Legislation Memo and Manual
  • Analysis of Remuneration Trends, Structures and Composition
  • Labour Taxation
  • Industry Practice reg. bonus, schedule, overtime, leave, length of service, etc.
Business Set-Up and Maintenance
  • Comparative Study on Options Available
  • Legal Memorandum on Corporate and Tax Laws
  • Set-Up Services (Company, Immigration, Labour, Banking, Tax)
  • Nominee Services (Regulated Activity)
  • Shareholders Agreements
  • Board of Directors Structuring
  • Dissolution, Liquidation, Bankruptcy Proceedings
  • Litigation/Arbitration (Manager or Shareholders Dispute)
  • Redomiciliation
Joint Venture and Investors Relationship
  • Set-up of Joint Venture Company
  • Drafting Joint Venture Agreement
  • Drafting of Prospectus, Investment Case, Risk Warnings and Investment Disclaimers, etc.
  • Drafting of Shareholders Agreements
  • Advisory on Financing Rounds and Execution
  • Advisory on Board of Directors Structuring and Execution
  • Drafting of Policies, Charts and other JVAs
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Expatriation Services
  • Employment Package and Contract Review
  • Wealth Management Advisory
  • Tenancy Opportunities and Contract Advisory
  • Medical Insurance Advisory
  • Banking Advisory
  • School Advisory
  • Logistic Advisory
  • FX Exchange Advisory
Relocation
  • Resignation Strategy
  • Tax Situation Review
  • Logistic Advisory
  • FX Exchange Advisory
  • Administration of the Departure and Legal Representation
Advisory
  • Advisory Services on the Developer (reliability check)
  • Review of Contract with Developer
  • Conveyance of Property and Supervision of the Sales Process
  • Legal Representation for the Purchase/Sales
  • Assistance with Engineers and Contractors
  • Assistance with tenants or holidays home management firm
Litigation
  • Cancellation of Contract
  • Cancellation of Project
  • Disputes regarding Lands
  • Disputes regarding Permits and Licenses
  • Dispute with Engineer or Contractor
Civil Status
  • Amendment of Civil Status (divorced/married) in Home Country
  • Change of Name
  • Transcription of Marriage or Divorce
  • Legalisation Services with Consulate and Embassies
Nationality and Immigration
  • Application for Nationality due to family reasons
  • Coordination Services for Obtaining Nationality based on Investment (more than 40 countries)
  • Immigration Services to Schengen Country (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Nationality)
  • Immigration Services to the USA, UK, Canada, Australia (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Nationality)
  • Immigration Services to GCC countries (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Golden Visa, Nationality)
Succession Planning
  • Overall Estate Planning with Financial and Legal Experts
  • Set-up of Shariah Compliant Foundation or Holding Structure
  • Set-up of Trust (DIFC, UAE, ADGM, Foreign based)
  • Set-up of Holding Structure
  • Set-up of Last Wills in the UAE, Qatar, KSA and various territories, as needed
  • Family Counseling - Mediation of dispute between family members
Inheritance Proceedings
  • In any country where there are assets
  • Court proceedings based on Shariah Law
  • Court proceedings based on Deceased Law
  • Court Proceedings based on Last Will
Crime against the Person and Narcotics
  • Assault, Sexual Abuse, Murder
  • Kidnapping
  • Household Theft
  • Threat, Insult, Defamation, Harassment
  • Social Media Crimes
  • IT Crimes
  • Stealing or Misappropriation of Personal Data
  • Narcotics
Business Crimes
  • AML issues
  • Cryptocurrency and other Investment related Scams
  • Breach of Trust
  • Deception and Fraud
  • Theft of business secrets
  • Insolvency related Crimes
  • Accounting Crimes
  • Interpol
Marriages
  • Marriage between French nationals
  • Marriage involving a French national and a non-French national
  • Marriage involving two persons of the same nationality
  • Marriage involving two persons of different nationality
  • Marriage involving a Muslim
  • Brief on matrimonial regimes and applicable laws
Divorces
  • Divorce between French nationals
  • Divorce involving a French national and a non-French national
  • Divorce involving two persons of the same nationality
  • Divorce involving two persons of different nationality
  • Divorce involving a Muslim
  • Brief on matrimonial regimes and applicable laws