Form a professional or commercial company on Dubai mainland with 100% ownership, or choose the free zone that fits your activity. We guide you from the first idea to licence in hand.
Company Formation
Dubai offers several routes to start a business, and the right one depends on your activity, where your customers are, the office you need and how many visas you plan to sponsor.
We explain the difference between mainland and free zone options in plain language, recommend a suitable route and then handle the trade name, initial approval, documents and licence application with the relevant authority.
At a glance
Choose Your Jurisdiction
Both routes allow 100% foreign ownership for most activities. The right choice depends on where your customers are, the office you need and how you plan to grow.
Best for: Shops, contracting, services and businesses selling inside the UAE.
Best for: Consultancies, e-commerce, international trading and freelancers.
Rules differ between authorities and change over time. We confirm what applies to your activity before you commit.
Popular Free Zones
The UAE has more than 40 free zones, each focused on different sectors and budgets. These are some of the most popular options for new companies.
Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Trading, commodities, services and a large business community.
Next to Jebel Ali Port. Logistics, warehousing, manufacturing and trading.
Beside Dubai International Airport. Trading, technology and aviation-linked businesses.
Dubai Silicon Oasis. Flexible, cost-effective setups for consultancy and services.
Meydan, Dubai. Quick, largely online setup for a wide range of activities.
Technology, electronics, software and innovation companies.
Near Al Maktoum Airport. Logistics, aviation and e-commerce.
Media, creative and digital businesses, popular with freelancers.
Industrial, trading and service licences with budget-friendly packages.
Affordable packages for trading, services and light industry.
Each free zone sets its own packages, activities and visa limits. We compare a shortlist against your activity and budget.
Legal Forms
Your legal form decides who can own the company, how liability works and which activities you can licence.
The most common structure for commercial activities. One or more shareholders, with liability limited to their share capital.
Owned by one person who carries full personal liability. Used for commercial and professional activities.
A partnership of professionals offering services in their field, such as consultancy or engineering.
A Dubai branch of an existing UAE or foreign company, carrying out the same activities as the parent.
What We Handle
From choosing an activity to opening your doors, we coordinate each step so nothing is missed.
Mainland or free zone — we compare the options against your activity, budget and customers.
Selecting licensed activities and reserving a trade name that meets the naming rules.
Preparing application forms, the memorandum of association and supporting papers.
Initial approval plus any external approvals your activity needs before licensing.
Finding suitable premises or a flexi-desk and registering the tenancy where required.
Establishment card, investor and employee visas once your licence is issued.
How It Works
A clear sequence from first conversation to completion. Final decisions and timelines rest with the relevant authority.
We discuss your activity, ownership, budget and visa plans.
We recommend the jurisdiction, legal form and licensed activities.
We reserve your trade name and apply for initial approval.
We prepare the MOA and arrange Ejari or a flexi-desk.
We submit for licensing, then help with visas and bank documents.
Documents
Requirements vary with the authority, your activity and your circumstances. We confirm the exact list for your case before anything is submitted.
Fees & Timelines
Mainland company packages fromAED 14,999
Why HDC
We review your paperwork before submission to avoid avoidable rejections and delays.
Transparent quotations and regular progress updates — you always know what happens next.
Setup, PRO, visas, documents and approvals handled from our Al Nahda Centre office.
FAQ
Can't find your answer? Call or WhatsApp our team and we'll guide you.
Yes. Most professional and commercial activities on Dubai mainland can now be 100% foreign-owned. A small number of strategic activities have different rules, which we check for you at the start.
Mainland suits businesses that want to trade directly across the UAE market. A free zone can suit international trade or specific sectors. We compare both for your activity before you decide.
Mainland companies generally need registered premises with Ejari. Many free zones offer flexi-desk options. The office you choose can also affect how many visas you can apply for.
The package covers setting up a professional or commercial company on Dubai mainland. We confirm the exact inclusions, government fees and any extra costs for your activity in a written quotation.
Yes — visas, PRO services, renewals, MOA amendments, Ejari and approvals are all handled by the same team.
Related Services
Get Started
Tell us about your requirement and we'll explain the steps, documents and costs — in person at Al Nahda Centre, by phone or on WhatsApp.
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