Mainland Company Formation
Set up a mainland company in the UAE with full market access and government contract eligibility. Fakher & Co handles DED registration, MOA drafting, and trade license issuance.
Unrestricted Access to the UAE Market with a Mainland Company
A mainland company, also known as an onshore company, is a business that is registered with the Department of Economic Development (DED) in one of the UAE’s seven emirates. This is the most common and powerful business structure for companies that want to trade directly within the local UAE market, work with government entities, and operate without geographical restrictions within the country.
At Fakher & Co, we provide expert guidance and end-to-end support for establishing your mainland company in the UAE. We simplify the complex process, ensuring your business is set up for maximum flexibility and unrestricted access to the thriving local economy.
The Key Advantages of a Mainland Company
Choosing a mainland setup offers several distinct advantages:
- Freedom to Trade Anywhere: Operate your business and trade directly with any customer or company located anywhere in the UAE, including all free zones.
- No Restrictions on Office Location: You can rent or own a physical office anywhere in the emirate where your company is registered.
- Ability to Work on Government Projects: A mainland license is a mandatory requirement for any company wishing to bid on and work for lucrative government contracts.
- Wider Range of Business Activities: The DED offers a vast list of available business activities, providing greater flexibility than many free zones.
- 100% Foreign Ownership for Most Activities: Following recent legal reforms, 100% foreign ownership is now permitted for a large number of commercial and industrial activities, though some strategic sectors may still require a local Emirati partner.
The Process of Mainland Company Formation
Our team manages the entire setup process for you, ensuring every step is handled efficiently and correctly:
- Step 1: Business Activity and Legal Structure Consultation: We help you choose the precise business activities for your license and select the appropriate legal structure (e.g., Limited Liability Company (LLC), Sole Establishment, or Civil Company).
- Step 2: Trade Name and Initial Approval: We reserve your desired company name and obtain the Initial Approval from the DED, which signifies the government’s preliminary consent to your business.
- Step 3: Drafting the Memorandum of Association (MOA): We draft a comprehensive MOA, which is the foundational legal document of your company. For LLCs, this must be notarized.
- Step 4: Finding a Local Sponsor or Service Agent (if required): For activities that still require a local partner, we connect you with a reliable and professional Emirati sponsor or service agent.
- Step 5: Securing Your Office Space: We assist you in finding a suitable physical office space and obtaining the necessary tenancy contract and Ejari registration.
- Step 6: Final Submission and License Issuance: We submit all the required documents to the DED and manage the process until your official Trade License is issued.
Unlock the Full Potential of the UAE Market
A mainland company offers the ultimate flexibility and market access for your business in the UAE. Let the corporate setup specialists at Fakher & Co guide you through a seamless and strategic formation process.