Mainland Business

A mainland license, also referred to as an onshore license, gives people the opportunity to run their business inside the UAE and internationally without any limitations. The Department of Economic Development (DED) is the regulatory authority for issuing these licenses in the UAE.

According to UAE company law, a mainland company setup in Dubai and the rest of the UAE requires a local partner or a local service agent. The type of business setup in Dubai mainland will determine whether you need a local sponsor or a local service agent.

A local sponsor will maintain 51% of the company shares, however rest assured that as the business owner, you can retain control of the business in exchange for a set annual fee.

A local service agent, on the other hand, doesn’t maintain shareholding authority and instead acts as the company representative in all administrative dealings with government departments.

Mainland company legal structures

• 1) Sole establishment
• 2) LLC (Limited Liability Company)
• 3) Civil company
• 4) Branch
• 5) Representative office
• 6) Subsidiary