Mainland Formation
Trade freely across the UAE and bid for government contracts with a Department of Economic Development (DED) licence.
Why go mainland?
Trade Anywhere
No restrictions on where you can operate across the UAE.
Government Contracts
Eligible to bid for lucrative public sector tenders.
Any Office Location
Set up your office anywhere in the emirate.
Unlimited Visas
Visa quota scales with your office space.
100% Ownership
Full foreign ownership now allowed on most activities.
Wide Activity List
Choose from thousands of approved business activities.
What's included
- Activity and legal-form advisory
- Trade name reservation and initial approval
- MOA drafting and notarisation
- DED licence issuance
- Ejari and office tenancy support
- Visa and labour file setup
Process
- 1
Activity Selection
We confirm your activities and legal structure.
- 2
Approvals
Trade name reservation and initial DED approval.
- 3
Documentation
MOA drafting, notarisation, and tenancy (Ejari).
- 4
Licence & Visas
Licence issuance followed by visa processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DED CAFEE?
DED CAFEE is the Department of Economic Development's payment channel for licence fees and government transactions in Dubai. SAM Global Services handles all DED transactions and CAFEE payments for you as part of mainland company formation.
Can foreigners own 100% of a mainland company in Dubai?
Yes — since 2021, most commercial and industrial activities allow 100% foreign ownership of a Dubai mainland company, with no local sponsor required. A few strategic activities still need Emirati participation; we confirm this for your activity before you commit.
How much does a mainland company cost in Dubai?
A Dubai mainland (DED) licence typically starts from around AED 12,000-15,000 including trade name, initial approval and licence issuance, plus office/Ejari costs. Use our cost calculator or call +971 56 180 1533 for an exact quote.
Mainland or free zone — which is better?
Mainland companies can trade anywhere in the UAE and bid for government contracts; free zone companies get 100% ownership with lower setup costs but trade mainly within their zone and internationally. We advise based on your activity, clients and visa needs.