Dubai Mainland (DET)

Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET / Dubai Mainland) offers complete commercial freedom to trade directly anywhere in the UAE and internationally with 100% foreign ownership.

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✓ 1–3 day license turnaround✓ 100% Foreign Ownership✓ Digital Bank 98% Approval

from 18,500 AED

Starting authority setup fee

1–3 days

Full license turnaround time

100%

Domestic UAE & International trade

1. Key Mainland Specifications

Licensing Department: Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)
Emirate: DUBAI
Foreign Ownership: 100% foreign ownership (no local sponsor needed)
Commercial Tenancy System: Ejari (DLD) (mandatory for residence visas)
License Timeline: 1–3 working days
Residence Visa Timeline: 5–12 working days
Corporate Tax: 0% up to AED 375k net taxable profit; 9% on excess
Physical Presence: 100% remote company incorporation. 1-day UAE visit required only for Emirates ID biometrics.

2. Cost Breakdown & Tariffs

Official DED Fees

Cost Item	Purpose	Official Fee
DED Commercial License Fee	Trade name reservation, Initial Approval and official license voucher	18,500 AED
Establishment Card (Immigration File)	Immigration file registration in ICP/GDRFA to open visa quotas	2,200 AED
Residence Visa Quota & Stamping (2 yrs)	Entry permit, status adjustment, and 2-year residency visa sticker	~3,800 AED / visa
VIP Medical & Emirates ID	Fast-track medical fitness test and biometrics for Emirates ID card	~1,200 AED / person

Turnkey Package Estimates:

License Only

18,500 AED

Pure mainland commercial license for remote trading or corporate branches

1 Investor Visa

25,700 AED

License + Est. Card + 1 Investor Visa + VIP Medical & Emirates ID

2 Residence Visas

30,700 AED

For 2 partners or founder + managing director

3. Corporate Banking Assessment

Digital Banking (Digital Bank) Top Priority

Tier 1: Fast remote digital approval

• Timeline: opened in 3–7 working days
• Multi-currency accounts (AED, USD, EUR, GBP) with zero minimum balance
• Direct API integration with DED registry for rapid automated KYC

Traditional Tier-1 UAE Banks High Status

Emirates NBD, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), FAB, Mashreq

• Opening timeline: 2–4 weeks
• Dedicated relationship manager and trade finance / credit facilities
• Typical average balance: 25,000–50,000 AED

4. Pros & Considerations

✓ Mainland Advantages

• 100% foreign ownership allowed across 1,000+ commercial and professional activities
• Direct trading across local UAE market and government public tenders
• Ability to lease commercial retail and offices anywhere in Dubai
• Instant License option (issued in 10 minutes without physical Ejari in year 1)

! Important Nuances

• Physical lease (Ejari) required for residence visa quota or starting from year 2
• Federal corporate tax (9%) applies to taxable profit exceeding AED 375,000

5. Registration Process

Trade Name & Initial Approval

1 day

Trade name reservation and initial pre-approval from the Department of Economic Development.

Commercial Lease Registration (Ejari (DLD))

1–2 days

Signing commercial lease agreement and registering via Ejari (DLD) tenancy system.

Signing Memorandum of Association (MoA)

1 day

Digital or notary attestation of corporate Memorandum and payment of the final DED payment voucher.

Establishment Card & Residence Visas

5–7 days

Opening ICP immigration file, issuing Entry Permits, VIP medical fitness test, and Emirates ID card.

Corporate Bank Account Activation

3–7 days

Remote onboarding with Digital Bank in 3–7 days or personal banker interview at Tier-1 commercial bank.

6. Compatible Activities

Top business activities approved under Dubai Mainland (DET)

All Activities ›

DED: 6201001 Low Risk