Introduction to mainland companies

A UAE mainland company (onshore), typically a Limited Liability Company (LLC), is licenced by the Department of Economic Development (DED), and governed by the UAE Commercial Companies Law (CCL). There are no territorial restrictions on business activities or location of premises for LLC’s in the UAE. A mainland company can therefore trade anywhere in the UAE or the GCC, including Free Zones.

Useful considerations when incorporating a mainland company:

• Incorporated onshore with licenses issued by the Dubai Economy and Tourism
• Can trade anywhere in the UAE, including Free Zones
• No restrictions on the number of visas that can be obtained, so long as within regulatory frameworks regarding size of premises
• Required to take on a physical workspace with a minimum size of 100sq ft
• No restrictions on the location where the company can rent/buy office premises
• An LLC may conduct any type of activity except for insurance, banking or investment
• The liability of the shareholders is limited to their shares in the company’s capital
• Can be 100% owned by non-GCC investors as standard.

I would like to operate my business anywhere in Dubai mainland and want to know what it takes to set up my business.