Dubai mainland licence cost: what is included in your quote?

What does a mainland licence pay for?

A mainland licence authorises the business activities listed on it under the relevant Dubai licensing rules. Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) manages mainland company registration and licensing. The licence is one part of setting up the company; it is not a promise that every other business task is included.

Before discussing a price, describe what the company will actually do. Selling products, providing consultancy and running a regulated service may involve different activities and approvals. The correct activity matters more than choosing the cheapest label. Ask whether your proposed activities cover how you plan to earn money.

Still comparing company types? Start with our mainland vs free zone guide before requesting a mainland quote.

Why is there no single Dubai mainland licence cost?

A headline package price cannot describe every business. The legal structure, activities and premises requirements may change the work involved. Some activities also need permission from another authority. Your quote should explain the assumptions behind its price, not just show a total.

We have not listed a universal starting price here because it could hide costs that matter to your situation. Get a current official fee assessment and a written service quote for the same proposed company. This is more useful than a price range that mixes different company types and package inclusions.

• Activity: what the company is licensed to do, and whether outside approvals apply.
• Structure: the proposed legal form, owners and required company documents.
• Premises: the address arrangement and whether it meets the relevant requirements.
• Scope: licence-only assistance or a wider package including other applications.

Which costs should appear in the quote?

Ask for separate lines for the government and licensing steps that apply to your company. These may include the trade name, initial approval, licence issue and company-document work. Do not assume each item is charged separately, or that all items apply: the quote should explain what is included for your selected route.

Then check for premises, tenancy registration where required, additional activity approvals and professional service fees. If an adviser is arranging the work, ask what their fee covers and what happens if the authority requests more information. Optional services should be clearly marked so you can decide whether you need them.

An official fee and a service fee are not the same thing. Keeping them separate makes it easier to understand the price and to compare advisers. Ask whether any applicable tax is already included in the quoted total and what documents you will receive after payment.

Our broader Dubai company setup costs guide covers how to read a complete setup package, beyond the mainland licence itself.

Is the office or Ejari included?

A quote can include licence assistance without including the cost of premises. Ask what address arrangement is proposed, whether it is suitable for your activity and what supporting tenancy records the authority will require. Do not assume a free-zone shared-desk offer can be used for a mainland company.

Where a Dubai tenancy contract needs Ejari registration, check who arranges it and whether the relevant charges are included. Also ask about rent, deposits and any other agreed premises costs. Keep refundable deposits separate from fees: both affect the cash you need, but they are not the same kind of expense.

Our office, address and Ejari guide helps you compare premises arrangements and their practical consequences.

Are owner and employee visas included?

Licence setup and residence visa applications are different processes. A package that mentions visa eligibility or a visa allocation does not necessarily include applying for a visa or paying the related costs. Ask how many people the quote covers and exactly which application steps are included.

For anyone who needs residency, check the relevant entry or status-change steps, medical fitness test, Emirates ID application and residence visa fees. These depend on the person and route. Do not assume a visa is guaranteed because the company licence is approved.

If you already have UAE residency, explain your status before agreeing a package. You may not need the same services as someone arriving from overseas. Your adviser should identify the support you need rather than automatically adding every possible step.

For the order of the residency steps, read our UAE residence visa process guide.

How do you compare two offers fairly?

Give both providers the same brief: activities, owners, premises needs and the number of people needing visa support. Ask each to confirm exclusions and the point at which its work is complete. A cheaper licence-only quote is not directly comparable with a full setup package.

Also request a renewal estimate with its assumptions. Rent, licences, service agreements and other company records may have separate renewal costs. Tax, bookkeeping and bank-account applications are not automatically included in a licence package. Bank approval remains the bank’s decision.

Before paying, ask which amounts are due now, which are paid later and what refund or cancellation terms apply. Do not treat an estimate as a final authority bill. Keep the agreed scope in writing so you can refer to it if a later charge is unclear.

To plan the next year as well as the first, read our trade licence renewal guide.