Mainland Company Formation - Trade anywhere in the UAE. No zone restrictions.
UAE Mainland (DED-issued license) gives you the broadest operational rights: sell to any UAE customer, open physical shops, bid for government contracts, hire unlimited staff. Since June 2021, 100% foreign ownership is allowed for most mainland activities. Formenzo files with Dubai DED, Sharjah SEDD, and Abu Dhabi DED — Sharjah and Abu Dhabi in-house, Dubai mainland through our sister concern YABS (11 years on the ground at DIP1) so the Dubai PRO desk runs every day.
Balmiki Kumar · Founder · 10 years UAE corporate services
Last updated · Reviewed against 2026 UAE regulations
When you need Mainland - Mandatory for businesses serving UAE customers directly.
Free Zones restrict you to B2B trading with international clients or within the zone. If you want to open a restaurant, retail store, or salon — or bid for UAE government tenders — you need a Mainland license.
Restaurants & Cafés
Food & beverage outlets must be Mainland. Includes cloud kitchens serving UAE residents.
Retail Shops
Physical stores, malls, fashion boutiques, grocery stores serving walk-in customers.
Salons & Spas
Beauty salons, barber shops, massage centers, spa facilities.
Gyms & Fitness
Gyms, yoga studios, Pilates, CrossFit, personal training facilities.
Medical Clinics
Dental, dermatology, physio — needs DHA (Dubai) or DOH (Abu Dhabi) medical licensing on top.
Construction
Contracting, civil works, fit-out, MEP — on-site work requires Mainland.
Local Ecommerce
Selling directly to UAE customers. Free Zone ecommerce is for international only.
Transport & Logistics
Taxi services, delivery fleets, limousine rentals inside UAE.
Government Contractors
Most government tenders require Mainland. Free Zone entities cannot bid.
Mainland vs Free Zone — the honest comparison - When each jurisdiction wins.
We don't favor one over the other — we pick whatever fits you. Here's the real trade-off.
| Factor | Mainland (DED) | Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| 100% foreign ownership | Yes (since 2021, most activities) | Yes (always) |
| Sell to UAE customers directly | ✓ Unlimited | Restricted (via local distributor) |
| Physical shops & F&B | ✓ Allowed | ✗ Not allowed |
| Office requirement | Physical office + Ejari mandatory | Flexi-desk OK (virtual) |
| Starting cost | From AED 18,900 | From AED 2,500 |
| Setup time | 10–14 days | 5–7 days |
| Visa quota | Unlimited (based on office sqm) | Capped (3–6 typically) |
| Corporate Tax | 9% above AED 375k profit | 0% on qualifying income |
| Government contract bids | ✓ Eligible | ✗ Not eligible |
Not sure which fits you? Run the 60-second match →
Mainland by Emirate - DED routes vary by emirate. We map the details.
Each emirate's Department of Economic Development has its own fees, approval workflows, and activity lists. Formenzo helps compare the route, office requirement, approval sequence, and filing scope before you commit.
Sharjah Mainland (SEDD)
Sharjah local market trading + retail license
- ✓ Trade Sharjah-wide and UAE-wide
- ✓ Cheaper than Dubai Mainland
- ✓ Required for Sharjah retail/restaurants
Dubai Mainland (DED)
Required for restaurants, retail, salons, local services
- ✓ Trade UAE-wide without restrictions
- ✓ Required for B2C physical businesses
- ✓ Government contracts allowed
- ✓ Unlimited visa quota (subject to office size)
- ✓ Strongest banking access
- ✓ DED instant license available for some activities
Ready to start your Mainland company?
DED filing, Ejari registration, establishment card, visa processing, bank account — handled by a team that files at Dubai DED every week through our sister concern YABS, with Sharjah SEDD and Abu Dhabi DED run in-house from the Formenzo desk at SRTIP.