For an entrepreneur, 2026 is considered to be a great year to start a business in Dubai. Dubai’s tax-friendly atmosphere, world-class infrastructure and its strategic location between East and West continue to attract investors from throughout the world.

A mainland trade license is your key to complete access to the local UAE market and the flexibility to trade anywhere in the country. At HA Group, we help entrepreneurs navigate this process every single day, and this guide breaks down exactly how it works.

What Is a Mainland Trade License?

A mainland trade license is an official permit given by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), previously known as DED, that allows you to conduct approved business activities across Dubai and all over the UAE. Unlike free zone companies, a mainland company can deal directly with the local market, compete for profitable government contracts and develop branches throughout the Emirates without restrictions.

Source: dubaibusinesssetup

That flexibility is the primary reason  entrepreneurs select a mainland trade license in Dubai. You don’t have to be restricted to one geographic zone, so you can serve clients, government organisations and other companies around the UAE.

Why Choose a Mainland Company in 2026?

  • 100% foreign ownership of most industrial and commercial activities.
  • Unlimited access to the market throughout every emirate.
  • Eligibility for government contracts in public and semi-government sectors.
  • Branch expansion without forming a new company.
  • Full profit repatriation with no currency restrictions.

Mainland vs Free Zone: Which Is Right for You?

Both have their place, but they work in quite different ways:

Mainland vs Free Zone: Which Is Right for You?
Source: raesassociates
  • ​Trading across the UAE: A mainland company can sell directly to clients in any of the emirates, but a free zone business often requires a local distributor.
  • Government tenders: Mainland businesses are allowed to bid for public and semi-public contracts.
  • Office location: Mainland companies can operate anywhere in Dubai, while free zone companies must operate inside their designated free zone.
  • Visa quotas: Free zone visas are usually fixed by package. Mainland visas rise with the size of your office.

A free zone can be suitable for export-oriented or speciality companies. If your clients are based in the UAE, a mainland license is often the better way to go.

Types of Mainland Trade Licenses

You need to know which license is right for your business before you apply. DET groups business activities under four main license types:

  • Commercial License: For trading activities such as import, export, retail and general trading.
  • Professional License: For service providers, consultants and skilled professionals.
  • Industrial License: For manufacturing and industrial production operations.
  • Tourism License: For travel agencies, tour operators, hospitality enterprises.

You can have a number of related activities running under one license, which keeps costs down and allows for expansion without the need to make a new application.

​Before You Apply: 4 Decisions That Shape Everything

Choose Your Business Activity

DET recognises more than 2,000 business activities. Your license type, approvals, ownership rules, and office requirements are based upon your activity.

​Select a Legal Structure

The Limited Liability Company (LLC) is the most popular option because shareholder liability is generally limited to capital contribution. Other options include sole establishments, civil companies and branches of foreign companies.

Foreign Ownership Eligibility

100% foreign ownership is allowed in most activities, but there may be extra rules for activities with a strategic impact or that are regulated. Make sure of this before you apply.

Choose Your Office Type​

Often, consultants and service providers may start with a flexi desk. Retail and Industrial companies often require a whole office, shop or warehouse. The office you choose will affect both your budget and your visa quota.

Step-by-Step Process to Get a Mainland Trade License

Step 1: Submit Your Application

Create an account on Invest in Dubai, add your shareholders’ details and select your activities and legal form.

Stage 2: Reserve Your Trade Name

Your name must be unique; avoid religious or political references and well-known brands, and end with your legal form, such as LLC. Have two or three backup names ready.

Step 3: Get Initial Approval

A preliminary approval means the government has no issues with your business. It’s good for six months, but it doesn’t enable you to start functioning yet.

Step 4: Get External Approvals (If Required)

Regulated activities such as healthcare, education, food, transport and real estate need clearance from the relevant authorities, which you can request through the same portal.

Step 5: Lease an Office and Register Ejari

Sign a tenancy contract and register it with Ejari, the official tenancy system in Dubai. Confirm the premises meet your activity’s requirements before signing.

​Step 6: Sign the Memorandum of Association

The MOA defines ownership shares, management rights and profit sharing. It can be signed online or in front of a Notary.

Step 7: Pay Fees and Receive Your License

DET issues a payment voucher. Once you have paid, you will get your digital mainland trade licence and your firm officially exists.

Documents Required to Get a Mainland Trade License

  • Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager.
  • Emirates ID, visa or entry stamp copies, where applicable.
  • NOC from the current sponsor for shareholders on a UAE residence visa.
  • Certificates of trade name reservation and initial approval.
  • Ejari-registered tenancy contract.
  • Signed Memorandum of Association.
  • External approvals for regulated activities.
  • Attested and translated parent company documents for branches or corporate shareholders.

How Much Does a Mainland Trade License Cost in 2026?

There is no fixed pricing. Most entrepreneurs spend AED 12,000 to AED 30,000 in the first year depending on:

How Much Does a Mainland Trade License Cost in 2026
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  • Initial approval and trade name fees.
  • Fee for issuance of a license for your activity.
  • Membership of Dubai Chamber.
  • Office rent and Ejari registration, a major variable.
  • External clearances, visas and immigration expenses.

Be careful of cheap advertised pricing! Your true cost also covers renewals, accounting and tax compliance.

How Long Does It Take?

A simple application with full documentation can be processed in 3-10 working days. Regulated activities that need external approvals may take 2 to 4 weeks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Selecting a license before defining your activity, which results in costly amendments.
  • Violating naming rules, leading to trade name rejection.
  • Signing a lease too early, before confirming it suits your activity.
  • Missing the sponsor NOC for shareholders already on a UAE visa.
  • Focusing only on the license fee and ignoring total setup costs.
  • Forgetting post-license deadlines, especially corporate tax registration.

What to Do After Your License Is Issued

  • Establishment card and labour file to sponsor investor and employee visas.
  • Corporate bank account, with business plan and proof of address.
  • Corporate tax registration with the Federal Tax Authority within three months of incorporation to avoid an AED 10,000 penalty.
  • VAT registration once taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000.

FAQs

Can a foreigner get a mainland trade license in Dubai?

Yes. In 2026, most activities allow 100% foreign ownership. Some strategic or regulated activities still have extra requirements.

Can I apply without travelling to Dubai?

Yes. Most of the process runs online. You can visit later for your visa medical, Emirates ID and bank account.

How many visas can a mainland company get?

Your visa quota depends mainly on your office size. Larger premises allow more visas.

Can I switch from a free zone to the mainland?

Yes. You can form a new mainland company or, in some cases, register a mainland branch of your free zone company.​

What happens if I renew late?

Fines are charged for late renewal, and visa and banking services may be blocked until the problem is fixed.

Start Your Dubai Mainland Business With HA Group

You can trade anywhere in the UAE, secure government contracts and grow without restrictions with a mainland trade license. HA Group plans your setup around your business, not a generic package. We choose suitable activity codes and legal structure, prepare your paperwork, coordinate external approvals, locate compliant office space and finalise your tax registrations. You get a fixed quote, a realistic time period and no unexpected surprises. If you make the correct decisions from day one, you can be up and running in days. Get a free consultation from HA Group now and set up your 2026 Dubai mainland company with confidence.

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