Mainland Business Setup in Dubai

The Mainland is the area where business owners, as individuals, have permission to run their businesses in Dubai. Setting up a business on the mainland provides the freedom to trade across Dubai and in the UAE. Apart from this, the business also gets a huge advantage on tax incentives and low import duties. Legal documents get easily processed and the availability of office spaces is plenty.

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you in setting up a business in Dubai in 2021.

1.       Identify Your Business Activity

There are over 2100 business activities listed by the Department of Economic Development (DED), Dubai. Based on the nature of your business, you can select one or more business activities. The business activity you choose determines the type of license you need. Commercial, industrial and professional are the main license types.

We, at Endeavour, assist regional and international entrepreneurs with all the support needed in the Dubai mainland business setup.  Our services cover every aspect of setting up a new business in Dubai or other Emirates.

2.       Determine the Legal form/Company Structure

The legal form of your company is the deciding factor for dealing with the profit and loss of your company in the UAE. Organizing your resources and assets also largely depends on your company structure. Hence it is vital that you make a decision on the legal form in the initial planning stage itself.  The legal form of the company must match with the business activity you have chosen.

Following are a few of the company structures under which you can register your new startup in the UAE:

. Limited Liability Company(LLC)

.General Partnership

.Limited Partnership

.Public Joint Stock Company(PJSC)

.Private Joint Stock Company(PrJSC)

.Civil Company

.Local Company Branch

.GCC Company Branch

.Foreign Company Branch

.Sole Establishment

.Holding Company

3.       Choose and Register the Trade Name

Your company name distinguishes your company from your competitors. It also reflects your brand and hints about the services you provide to your customers. Hence, the trade name must be chosen very carefully. Remember, your trade name must not violate the public morals or the public order of the country, by any means.

You must also get approval from the DED before you can move ahead with the company set up in the UAE. At this stage, your selected business activity also goes through an evaluation.

On obtaining the approvals, you can submit the required documents and apply for the UAE trade license. During the application process, a payment voucher or a transaction number will be issued. This is used as a reference when you do the payments.

4.       Getting the Initial Approval

Obtaining the initial approval indicates that the Govt. Of UAE has no objection to the establishment of a particular business in the country. It lets the owner proceed with further steps in setting up the business. However, it doesn’t grant permission to run the business activity yet.

For foreign investors, approval from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigner’s Affairs is mandatory, before the initial approval.

5.       Get a Local Service Agent and MOA

Businesses that are completely owned by non-GCC residents need a local service agent who is a UAE national. Based on the legal form of the business, a completed and signed Memorandum of Association (MOA) or a Local Service Agent Agreement (LSA) is mandatory.

Getting connected with proven business service providers like Endeavour helps you forget all the pains associated with this step. We will assist you in a low-cost business setup in Dubai and help you achieve your dream in the shortest possible time.

MOAs and agreements are prepared and attested by UAE based law firms, courts and notaries.

6.       Set up a Business Location

The presence of a physical address is mandatory for any business to operate in the UAE. On settling the initial proceedings, you can start looking for setting up an office. Consider factors like location, area needed, cost etc. and make a favourable choice.

The office location and premises must follow the guidelines laid by the respective emirate’s DED. Submission of rental agreements is mandatory. The agreement registration with Ejari can be done online. This is also needed when you apply for employee’s visas.

7.     Gather all Additional Government Approvals

Additional approvals from corresponding government departments are necessary for certain business activities. Below are a few examples.

. Ministry of Interior

Business activities related to general transport, driving schools, fire and safety systems, used-car dealers, car rentals etc. require approvals issued from the Ministry of Interior.

. Ministry of Justice

Businesses related to legal activities and legal consultancies.
. Ministry of Economy

Insurance related business activities.

. Local Health Departments

Businesses in connection with health and fitness.

. Local Municipal Department

Anything related to architectural and engineering matters.

 Collecting Your Business License

Now it's time to take a deep breath! You are done with all the legal aspects of setting up your new business in the UAE. The business owner can now collect the business license from the service centres of the corresponding economic departments.

After receiving your payment voucher, you can pay for your trade license within 30 days.

Documents needed for acquiring a license:

Proof of initial approval along with all previously submitted documents

.        Attested copy of the lease contract. Attestation to be done by RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Agency), Dubai

.        Attested MOA

.        Extra approvals from concerned government entities.

.        Attested Service Agent Contract (if required)

Starting a new business in Dubai as an expatriate or a foreigner?

Contact Endeavour Business Solutions for all your business setting requirements. Why wait? Schedule a free consultation with our experts today itself.

Set apart all your anxiety in setting up a new business in Dubai. Endeavour helps you to get your mainland company formed, without any hassle. From choosing the right business name to receiving your company license in Dubai, we play our part. Every aspect of a new company formation in Dubai or UAE is handled by Endeavour with ease.

So, without any delay, contact our team and take advantage of our services at an exceptionally low rate!