Frequently Asked Questions

Mainland is a geographical area where all the private businesses are permitted for commercial business activities by DED i.e. Dubai Economic Department. It is the prime location where various foreign companies such as international chains of food, car makers etc starts their business.

You can start 3 types of company in Dubai i.e. mainland, free zone, and offshore company. For setting up any of these companies, you need to follow certain steps such as:

• Get in touch with our team of expert business consultants
• Submit the essential documents
• Determine the trade name
• Local partnership
• Business approval process
• Preliminary approval
• Acquiring business licence
• Immigration and visa process

To start a freezone company in Dubai is easier than mainland business setup in Dubai. You just need to follow the below things to get ball rolling on your own freezone business in Dubai:

• Identify the legal identity
• Decide a unique trade name
• Application for the business licence
• Acquire a good office space

Depending on the nature of the activities which business is going to do, either commercial, industrial, or professional licence is approved by the government. But before that, you need to pass through various processes such as document submission, UAE local partnership, local sponsor, business sponsor, preliminary approval, etc.

Foreigner can start his/her business in any of the three different ways i.e. Mainland business, freezone business, or offshore business. There are certain rules and regulations in all these three types of businesses. Freezone business setup is very easy and quick as compared to mainland business in Dubai.

As per the law, freezone company is completely restricted to do the business with the Dubai mainland companies. If freezone business wants to do business with mainland businesses, it has to pass through various licensing and documentation process.

Yes, it is easy to start a business in Dubai as Dubai government gives certain benefits to foreign investors. If someone wants to start freezone or offshore company, then it is very easy, quick, and cost effective. While if he/she wants to start mainland company, then it is required to have a partnership with UAE national. Additionally, mainland business setup process is costlier than freezone or offshore business setup process.

The basic difference between Dubai freezone and mainland is that FZ companies are restricted to do business within the specific are only. While mainland companies can do business anywhere even outside UAE, too.