For the vast majority of business activities, no. Since the 2021 commercial companies law amendment, 100% foreign ownership is permitted across most commercial and professional activities in Dubai. A small number of strategic sectors such as oil and gas and certain defence activities still require a UAE national partner. Our team will confirm ownership rules for your specific activity before you proceed.

Dubai mainland formation typically takes between 7 and 14 working days, depending on your business activity and the number of approvals required from regulatory bodies such as Dubai Municipality or Dubai Health Authority. Professional licenses tend to be faster than commercial ones. We handle all government submissions on your behalf to keep the process as quick as possible.

Yes. Mainland companies must have a valid Ejari-registered office lease in Dubai. Shared workspaces, business centres, and co-working spaces are all accepted as long as they carry a valid Ejari certificate. The minimum office space requirement is typically 200 square feet, though this can vary by activity. We can connect you with partner workspaces from around AED 15,000 per year.

Yes. Dubai mainland companies have no fixed cap on employee visa quotas. Your visa allocation is determined by the size of your office space, typically at a ratio of one visa per 80 to 100 square feet. Larger premises allow more visas. All employee visa processing is handled through MOHRE and the General Directorate of Residency, both of which our PRO team manages on your behalf.

From June 2023, a 9% corporate tax applies to net profits exceeding AED 375,000 (approximately £74,700) per year. Profits below this threshold are taxed at 0%. Small Business Relief is available for companies with revenues under AED 3 million. Our Standard and Premium packages include a complimentary tax consultation to help you plan your structure correctly from the start.

Yes, non-residents can own and operate a Dubai mainland company. You do not need to be a UAE resident to own the business, though you will need to visit the UAE at least once during the setup process to complete notarization and biometric requirements. If you select a package that includes an investor visa, we will guide you through the residency process so you can operate from Dubai if you choose.

Abu Dhabi is the UAE's political and financial capital with a stronger focus on government-linked industries, energy, healthcare, and professional services. Dubai is more commerce, tourism, and trade-oriented. Abu Dhabi mainland is the right choice if your primary clients are government entities, ADNOC suppliers, or businesses in the healthcare and education sectors. Costs are broadly comparable but Abu Dhabi has a more streamlined process for certain regulated activities.

Yes. Abu Dhabi has long offered dual licensing arrangements, allowing a free zone company to hold a branch license on the mainland and vice versa. In 2025, Abu Dhabi further expanded this by allowing free zone companies from other emirates to open branches in Abu Dhabi with a one-year waiver on office space requirements. Our team can set up dual structures for clients who need both free zone benefits and mainland market access.

Abu Dhabi mainland formation typically takes 7 to 14 working days for standard commercial and professional activities. Regulated activities such as healthcare, education, and financial services require additional approvals from sector regulators and may take 3 to 6 weeks. Our PRO team manages all government submissions and follows up on approvals to keep your timeline as short as possible.

ADDED issues commercial licenses for trading and retail, professional licenses for service-based businesses and freelancers, industrial licenses for manufacturing, and tourism licenses for hospitality and travel businesses. Each category has its own activity list and fee structure. Our consultants will match your business model to the correct license type and ensure all required regulatory approvals are obtained before your license is issued.

Yes. A mainland license issued by SEDD in Sharjah allows you to trade across all seven UAE emirates without restriction, exactly like a Dubai or Abu Dhabi mainland license. You can open branches in other emirates, hire UAE-wide, and serve government and private sector clients anywhere in the country. The only limit is that your registered office must be physically located in Sharjah.

Sharjah has lower base license fees, more affordable office rental rates, and lower municipality charges than Dubai. Office rents in Sharjah are typically 40 to 60% lower than equivalent spaces in Dubai, which significantly reduces first-year costs. For businesses where a prestigious Dubai address is not essential, Sharjah mainland delivers identical legal rights at a meaningfully lower total cost.

Yes, Sharjah is one of the UAE's leading industrial and manufacturing hubs. It has several industrial zones, competitive land lease rates, access to Sharjah International Airport, Khalid Port, and Port Khor Fakkan. Industrial licenses in Sharjah mainland are straightforward to obtain, and warehouse and factory space is significantly more affordable than in Dubai Industrial City or JAFZA.

A valid physical office lease registered with Sharjah Municipality is required. Business centres and shared offices are accepted. Sharjah office rentals typically range from AED 15,000 to AED 35,000 per year for a small workspace, making it one of the most cost-effective mainland options in the UAE. Our team can connect you with vetted workspace partners in Sharjah.