BUSINESS SETUP
Business Setup in Dubai Mainland
The mainland business in Dubai opens up numerous opportunities to investors and provides them with the luxury of doing business in the local market as well as outside UAE making it the most preferred form of business jurisdiction. The only factor that held the investors back from business setup in Dubai mainland was, the need of a local sponsor who held a minimum of 51% of the company’s shares.

With the amendment of the Commercial Companies Law (CCL) in 2020, the government has allowed 100% ownership of businesses to foreign expatriates. The business-friendly environment and government policies are attracting the investors more to setup a business in the Dubai mainland.
Mainland Business Setup Dubai: Types of companies
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
An LLC or Limited Liability Company is the most common type of mainland business setup in Dubai. It can be formed by a minimum of two people and with a maximum of 50 people whose liability is limited to their shares in the company. They can engage in industrial, commercial, professional and tourism business.
Joint liability company
Also called the joint venture company, it is setup through a contractual agreement between the foreign party and a local party. The share of the local party must be not less than 51% but the profits can be prescribed according to the will of both parties.
Public and Private Joint Stock Company
Divided into negotiable shares of equal value, a joint stock company’s partners are only liable to the company’s financial obligations. A private joint stock company can undertake commercial and industrial activities only whereas the public joint stock companies can take up industrial, commercial and professional business activities.
Civil company
Can be setup in partnership with professionally qualified people as business owners.
Branch of a local or GCC company
A local or GCC company’s branch can be setup in Dubai mainland.
Branch of a foreign and freezone company
The branch of a foreign company and a free zone company can be incorporated in Dubai mainland. They can carry out the businesses as mentioned in the license in the name of the parent company but is not permitted to import the products of the parent company.
Sole establishment
A sole establishment can be incorporated in the mainland and can carry out professional services such as management, medical, engineering and IT consultancies.
Advantages of business setup in Dubai Mainland
100% business ownership to foreign expatriates in selected sectors*
Can trade with other businesses in the mainland
Wider scope for business activities
Can work with UAE government bodies
Can open an office anywhere in UAE
*The selected sectors allowed with 100% foreign ownership are:
Renewable energy
Agriculture
Manufacturing
Transport
Storage
Hospitality and food services
Information and communications
Professional, Scientific and Technical activities
Administrative activities
Support services
Educational activities
Healthcare
Art and entertainment
Construction
Some other major activities included are production of Solar panels, Power transformers, Green technology, Hybrid power plant, E-commerce transport, Supply chains, Logistics and Cold storage for pharmaceutical products.
Why Carvy?
Carvy Consultants is one of the best business consultancy and company formation service providers in UAE. With our ample experience in the domain as well as the knowledge of the countries working, we ensure to provide you with the best quality services available. Our professionally qualified team of experts will offer you with end-to-end services and will guide and support you throughout the process of mainland business setup in Dubai. Carvy also offers consultancy services to suit its client’s requirements. We also provide business activities like auditing, accounting and bookkeeping, payroll services, VAT services and business advisory services. Get in touch with us to know more about business setup in Dubai mainland and to avail our services.