Lightest way in
Solo professional
A professional license, a serviced desk with Ejari, and one investor visa.
Professional license
Serviced desk + Ejari
One investor visa
From AED 15,000
Mainland setup service
Mainland Business Setup Services in Dubai 2026
15+ years10,000+ engagements4.8 Google, 163+ reviewsISO certified
The scope
Every setup
What the service covers
- Activity and structure advice, DET codes confirmed
- Trade name reservation and DET initial approval
- MOA drafting, shareholder signing, and notarisation
- Ejari and office setup, required before issuance
- Trade license issuance, your company legally formed
Included with your setup
Visas, banking, and handover
- Establishment card and immigration file
- Investor and staff visas through GDRFA
- Corporate bank account matching and KYC support
- Renewal and compliance calendar at handover
- One point of contact throughout
Packages, 2026
Most common package
Standard commercial
A commercial license, a small office, one or two visas, and bank account support.
Commercial license
Small office
Bank account support
AED 22,000 to 35,000
Regulated or larger
Regulated or larger
Extra approvals or a bigger office. Healthcare, finance, and F&B sit here.
Sector approvals
Larger office
Priced to spec
AED 35,000+
Want the exact figure for your setup?
The process
How the setup process works
Six stages from first call to handover. We run each one, so you are not chasing DET, GDRFA, or the bank yourself.
- Critical stage
Consultation and structure
We start with your business, then confirm the right activity, license, and legal form before anything is filed.
Trade name and approval
We reserve your name with DET and secure initial approval to proceed.
MOA and Ejari
We draft and notarise your MOA and register your tenancy on Ejari, both required for issuance.
License issuance
We submit the full file to DET. On approval, your trade license is issued.
Establishment card and visas
We open your immigration file and process investor and staff visas through GDRFA.
- Critical stage
Bank account and handover
We prepare your bank application, guide you through KYC, and hand over with a compliance calendar.
The advertised price is the start, not the total
The 'license from AED 12,000' you see everywhere is the starting point. Add an office, Ejari, and a visa, and a real mainland setup lands between AED 15,000 and AED 35,000 in year one. Here is what actually moves your number.
Real year-one rangeAED 15,000 to 35,000Most setups land in the middle once office and visas are added. The headline license fee is only one line of several.
ActivityHigh impactRegulated fields add approvals, fees, and time
OfficeBiggest variableServiced desk vs full office; also sets visa quota
VisasAED 3,500–6,000Per visa, all in; one is usually in the base
The line cheap quotes leave out
- The market fee: 5% of annual rent, added to the license
- It recurs every year, not just at setup
- Renewals of license, Ejari, and visas repeat annually
- A real quote shows renewal cost, not just year one
What raises the number
- Regulated-activity approvals
- A larger office for more visas
- Extra staff visas beyond the base
- Activity amendments later
Tax and Compliance That Follow
Forming the company is the start. These are the obligations that keep it active, and the ones we fold into the handover so nothing lapses.
| Authority | What they do | When you meet them | Key output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate tax | Register with the FTA and file annually, even if you owe nothing. | On annual profit | FTA registration (TRN) |
| VAT | Register and file, usually quarterly, once over the threshold. | On rolling supplies | VAT returns |
| Renewals | We track the dates on your compliance calendar at handover. | Every year | Active license |
| UBO | Update the register whenever ownership or control changes. | On any change | UBO register |
- Corporate tax9% on profit above AED 375,000; 0% below. Registration is mandatory.You meet them:On annual profit
- VAT5% once taxable supplies pass AED 375,000.You meet them:On rolling supplies
- RenewalsLicense and Ejari renew every 12 months; late renewal brings fines.You meet them:Every year
- UBOKeep ultimate beneficial owner details current.You meet them:On any change
What you'll need
Documents you need to start
Most mainland setups need the same core paperwork. Have these ready and your file moves through DET without avoidable delays.
Per shareholder
Identity
Passport copy
Clear colour scan, valid 6+ months, every shareholder.
Passport-size photo
Recent, white background.
UAE visa / entry stamp
If you are in the country.
NOC from sponsor
If you hold a UAE employment visa.
About the company
Business details
Trade name options
In order of preference, following DET rules.
Business activity
The activities you intend to license.
Shareholder split
Names and shares between partners.
Corporate documents
Attested, if a company is a shareholder.
We give you the exact list
The core set above covers most setups, but the precise list depends on your activity and shareholder structure. Foreign documents, such as a parent company's incorporation papers, need attestation before DET accepts them. We send you the exact checklist for your setup at the quote stage, so the file is not held up by a missing document.
Check passport validity. Under six months left means renew before you file.
Keep clear scans. Legible PDFs speed up portal submission.
Ask for your checklist. We tailor it to your activity, so nothing is missed.
Who we set up
Who we set up mainland companies for
We set up mainland companies across the sectors that need direct UAE market access. These are the ones we handle most.
Trading and Retail
Import, distribution, shops
ScenarioYou buy and sell goods across the UAE.Why it fitsA commercial license with full local market access.Risk noteSome product groups need extra approvals.
Consultancies and Agencies
Advisory, marketing, IT
ScenarioYou serve clients across the UAE and abroad.Why it fitsA professional license covers advisory work UAE-wide.Risk noteAn LSA applies to some solo professional activities.
Restaurants and F&B
Cafes, restaurants, catering
ScenarioYou run a public-facing food outlet.Why it fitsA mainland license and the approvals to open premises.Risk noteMunicipality food approval before opening.
Construction and Contracting
Civil, MEP, fit-out
ScenarioYou execute projects and bid for tenders.Why it fitsRequired for government and onshore project work.Risk noteContractor classification and approvals apply.
Real Estate
Brokerage and management
ScenarioYou broker or manage UAE property.Why it fitsMandatory for RERA registration and brokerage.Risk noteRERA certification of the firm and brokers.
Clinics and Healthcare
Clinics, pharmacies
ScenarioYou treat patients on UAE premises.Why it fitsA mainland license and patient-facing premises.Risk noteDHA licensing of staff and facility.
Why DMCS
Why choose DMCS for mainland setup
One team handles your whole setup, from the first activity decision to a live bank account and a compliance calendar. No handoffs, no license-only surprises, no chasing three vendors.
What sets the service apart
One team, license to bank account
The people who confirm your activity also file your license, process your visas, and prepare your bank file. Nothing falls between desks, because there is only one desk.
01
An itemized, fixed quote
Every fee up front, with the market fee and renewals shown, not a license-only figure that grows later in the process.
02
One team, no handoffs
Activity, license, visas, and banking through one point of contact, so nothing stalls between departments.
03
Compliant at handover
We hand over with corporate tax registration underway and a renewal calendar, so the company stays active after launch.
Get a fixed quote for your mainland setup.
Tell us your activity, office, and visa count, and we return an itemized, fixed quote with every DET and government line confirmed, the market fee and renewals included. We will tell you honestly if a free zone fits you better. No obligation.
No obligationTransparent pricing, zero hidden fees100% privacy guaranteed
Real results from our clients
What our clients say about working with us
Real Google reviews from founders we have set up and kept compliant on the Dubai mainland.
A
Abdul Sami3 months ago
Thank you to the team for supporting us with our company setup. Our case was not straightforward, especially the bank account opening, but they stayed committed and got it done.
P
Paolo Chua8 months ago
I had a great experience opening a corporate bank account. The process was smooth and efficient. The staff were friendly, professional, and explained everything clearly.
A
Amy Elliott Dunne4 months ago
The accounting and bookkeeping service has been exceptional. Attention to detail is impressive, and communication is always clear. Tasks are handled promptly.
R
Rashed Al Falasi5 months ago
They confirmed our activity grouping before filing and flagged an issue the bank would have raised. Licensed in under two weeks with no surprises on the invoice.
M
Marwa Khalil2 months ago
We came for a mainland LLC and stayed for renewals and PRO work. The same team answers the phone after the license is issued, which is rare here.
FAQ