UAE Mainland Company is an onshore commercial entity registered directly under the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) of the respective Emirate. Unlike free zone or offshore structures, a mainland company has no geographic restrictions, allowing you to trade freely anywhere inside the UAE local market, bid for lucrative government contracts, and lease retail spaces anywhere in the country.
100% Foreign Ownership: Foreign investors can hold 100% equity and voting control across nearly all commercial, professional, and industrial activities without needing a local UAE citizen as a 51% shareholder.
Unrestricted Local & Global Trade: Trade directly with B2B and B2C consumers anywhere across the UAE mainland, inside free zones, or internationally.
Unlimited Visa Allocation: Mainland companies are not capped by rigid visa packages. Your visa quota scales dynamically based on the square footage of your physical office or retail space.
Government Tendering Rights: Fully eligible to bid, win, and execute high-value contracts issued by UAE government entities and semi-governmental bodies.
Flexible Real Estate Options: Set up physical shops, warehouses, or corporate offices anywhere in the country, from high-end malls to mainland business districts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Mainland Company Formation
Generally, no, Unlike Free Zones, the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) requires Mainland companies to have a real physical presence. You must lease a physical office, shop, or warehouse and register a valid Ejari tenancy contract. While some temporary "Instant Licenses" let you delay leasing for the first 12 months, you must secure a physical space to renew the license or issue residency visas.
If the business is owned by individual physical persons, each member must provide:
Passport Copy
Current UAE Visa or Entry Stamp Page
Emirates ID Copy
No Objection Certificate (NOC)
If the new Mainland entity will be owned by an existing foreign or local parent company, the following corporate documents must be fully attested by the UAE Embassy in the country of origin and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) inside the UAE:
Certificate of Incorporation
Memorandum & Articles of Association (MOA)
Power of Attorney (POA)
Passport Copy
Current UAE Visa or Entry Stamp Page
Emirates ID Copy
No Objection Certificate (NOC)
If the new Mainland entity will be owned by an existing foreign or local parent company, the following corporate documents must be fully attested by the UAE Embassy in the country of origin and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) inside the UAE:
Certificate of Incorporation
Memorandum & Articles of Association (MOA)
Power of Attorney (POA)
No, for almost all business activities, Following major updates to the UAE Companies Law, foreign investors can now achieve 100% full ownership of Mainland companies for over 2,000 commercial and industrial activities. A UAE national partner holding a 51% stake is now strictly limited to strategic sectors like oil & gas, defense, and security.
There is no strict cap, but it depends entirely on your office size, Free zones give you rigid visa packages (e.g., a 2-visa package). Mainland companies use a quota system governed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE). The general rule of thumb is 1 visa allocation for every 9 square meters (approx. 100 sq. ft.) of physical office space you lease.
