A mainland license lets you trade anywhere in the UAE and internationally โ with no geographic restrictions. With 2021 reforms to UAE commercial law, 100% foreign ownership is now available for most mainland activities. It's the ideal choice for businesses targeting the local UAE market, government contracts, or GCC expansion.
Get expert advice on the right mainland setup
โ Free ยท โ No obligation ยท โ Fast response
Mainland licensing authorities we work with
Choose the emirate that best fits your business model, budget, and market strategy.
The global business capital. Home to the DED and the largest commercial market in the UAE. Ideal for trading, retail, and professional services.
Enquire โThe UAE capital and economic powerhouse. Strong government sector, oil & gas, and a rapidly growing private market. Licensed through ADDED.
Enquire โCultural capital with a growing commercial sector. More cost-effective than Dubai, with access to Sharjah's industrial and trading infrastructure.
Enquire โFast-growing investment destination with lower operational costs. Excellent for manufacturing, tourism, and real estate businesses.
Enquire โOne of the most cost-effective business environments in the UAE. Low licensing costs and easy access to the Northern Emirates market.
Enquire โStrategic east coast location with major port access. Ideal for maritime, oil bunkering, and import/export businesses requiring sea routes.
Enquire โAn emerging business destination offering very competitive licensing fees. Ideal for startups and SMEs looking for an economical UAE base.
Enquire โChoose the license that matches your business activity. Zorv helps you identify and apply for the right license type for your industry.
For trading, retail, import/export, and general merchandise businesses. The most common mainland license type.
For consultancy, IT services, legal firms, marketing agencies, freelancers, and other service-based businesses.
For manufacturing, production, assembly, and processing businesses. Requires a dedicated industrial premises or factory unit.
For hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, and hospitality businesses. Regulated by DTCM or equivalent authority.
For farming, aquaculture, livestock, and agricultural trading businesses operating within the UAE.
Mainland companies offer the broadest market access and the fewest operational restrictions of any UAE business structure.
No restrictions on who you can sell to โ individuals, businesses, or government entities, anywhere in the UAE.
Mainland companies have no cap on employee visa quotas โ scale your team as your business grows.
Only mainland-licensed companies can participate in UAE government tenders and public sector projects.
No restrictions on your client base. Serve government entities, free zone businesses, and individuals without limitation.
Mainland companies face fewer banking restrictions and enjoy easier access to UAE's full financial services ecosystem.
Since 2021, UAE law allows 100% foreign ownership for the majority of mainland business activities โ no local sponsor needed.
From first call to licensed business โ a smooth, guided process
Tell us your goals and activity. We advise on the best emirate and license type for your business.
We reserve your trade name, prepare your MOA and all required documentation for the relevant DED.
We submit to the relevant emirate's Department of Economic Development and follow up for fast approval.
Receive your mainland license, arrange employee visas, and open your corporate bank account.
Since the 2021 amendments to UAE commercial law, 100% foreign ownership is permitted for the majority of mainland business activities. A local UAE national sponsor is no longer required for most sectors. Some restricted activities may still require a local partner โ Zorv will advise you based on your specific activity.
A mainland company can trade freely anywhere in the UAE and internationally, including directly with UAE consumers and government entities. A free zone company is restricted to operating within its free zone or internationally, and cannot directly sell within the UAE local market without a distributor or mainland partner.
Yes. Mainland companies are required to have a physical office or business premises registered with the licensing authority. The size and type of premises depends on your business activity and the emirate. Zorv can assist you in finding suitable and cost-effective office space as part of our end-to-end service.
It depends on your industry, client base, and budget. Dubai is the commercial hub with the largest market but higher costs. Abu Dhabi is ideal for government-linked industries. Sharjah, RAK, and Ajman offer more cost-effective setups. Zorv will recommend the best emirate based on your specific business needs.
Mainland company registration typically takes 5 to 10 working days, depending on the emirate, the type of business activity, and whether additional approvals from sector-specific ministries are required. Zorv expedites the process through our established government relationships.
Zorv handles most of the process on your behalf. Some steps โ such as Emirates ID registration, certain approvals, and bank account opening โ may require your physical presence in the UAE. We will clearly advise you when and if your presence is required so you can plan accordingly.
Talk to our experts today. We'll identify the right emirate, right license type, and handle everything end-to-end.