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UAE Mainland Company Setup in India 2026

UAE Mainland Company Setup from KAMRIT. Senior expert accountability, transparent fixed-fee pricing, 100% online delivery across India.

Setting up a mainland company in the UAE is one of the most searched international business registration queries from Indian entrepreneurs and startups in 2026. Whether you are expanding your manufacturing unit to Dubai, opening a consultancy in Abu Dhabi, or registering a trading firm to access Middle East and African markets, the legal process involves multiple clearances across the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), or the respective emirate authority. Under Federal Law No. (3) of 2022 amending Federal Law No. (2) of 2015 on Commercial Companies, mainland UAE companies now permit 100 percent foreign ownership in most sectors following Cabinet Resolution No. (16) of 2023, subject to the activities list maintained by each emirate. KAMRIT Financial Services LLP manages the complete lifecycle from trade name reservation with the relevant economic department through immigration medical fitness testing, Emirates ID enrollment, and final trade license collection. Our on-ground legal representatives in Dubai and Abu Dhabi coordinate all government submissions so Indian founders can stay focused on business operations rather than permit chasing.

What is UAE Mainland Company Setup in India 2026?

A UAE Mainland Company Setup refers to the registration of a for-profit legal entity under the Commercial Companies Law that conducts business within the UAE mainland, as opposed to a free zone enclave. The legal entity takes the form of a Limited Liability Company (LLC), a Sole Establishment, or a Branch of a Foreign Company, governed by the respective emirate's economic development authority. In Dubai, the governing authority is the DET; in Abu Dhabi, it is the ADDED; and in other emirates, the respective Municipal Economic Development Departments. An LLC requires a minimum share capital of AED 1,000 (approximately INR 22,000 at current exchange rates), though specific activities such as engineering consultancy or pharmaceutical distribution may mandate higher paid-up capital. The trade license, once granted, allows invoicing, banking, and visa sponsorship within the UAE mainland jurisdiction, enabling direct contracts with government entities and mainland businesses. Critically, the Cabinet Resolution No. (54) of 2023 on FDI Positive List now classifies over 1,000 economic activities eligible for full foreign ownership, replacing the older 51 percent local sponsor model for most service sector registrations.

Who needs this

Not every applicant qualifies for a mainland license. The DET and ADDED assess each application against activity-specific criteria, sector-specific regulations, and immigration fitness standards.

  • The foreign promoter must hold a valid Indian passport with a minimum six-month validity at the time of application submission.
  • The proposed business activity must appear on the applicable emirate's permitted activities list and must not fall under the Negative List requiring a local service agent.
  • For consultancy and professional service activities, the Indian promoter must possess relevant academic qualifications attested by the UAE Embassy in New Delhi and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dubai.
  • For food trading, general trading, or logistics activities, a minimum net worth certificate of INR 50 lakhs or equivalent in the applicant's name may be required by some licensing authorities.
  • The proposed trade name must not conflict with existing registered names in the DED trademark database and must comply with Resolution No. (7) of 2018 on Trade Name Guidelines.
  • A registered local address within the emirate, evidenced by a tenancy contract registered with the Ejari system, is mandatory for license issuance.
  • The Indian promoter must clear the immigration medical fitness test conducted at approved DHA or HAAD clinics, with a minimum score for communicable disease clearance.
  • Indian nationals applying for a golden visa pathway through company setup must meet the investment threshold of AED 2 million (approximately INR 4.5 crore) in the licensed entity.
  • Branch office registrations require a Certificate of Good Standing and notarised Board Resolution from the Indian parent company, apostilled under the Hague Convention.

Documents required

The documentation burden is substantial and front-loaded. Incomplete submissions are the leading cause of application rejections at the DED counter in 2026.

  • Indian passport (original and attested copy) with six-month validity from filing date, along with valid UAE entry stamp.
  • UAE entry stamp on passport or copy of already issued Emirates ID if applicant is currently on a residence visa.
  • Passport-size photographs (white background, 3.5 cm by 4.5 cm) taken within 30 days of submission.
  • Educational qualification certificates for the designated manager, attested by the UAE Embassy in New Delhi and MOFA in Dubai for professional licenses.
  • Net worth certificate issued by a Chartered Accountant in India, valued at INR 50 lakhs minimum, apostilled under the Hague Convention.
  • Draft Memorandum of Association (MOA) specifying the proposed business activities aligned with the DED activity codes list.
  • Trade name reservation application with the DED, using Form TM-1, confirming no trademark conflict.
  • Registered tenancy contract with Ejari, reflecting the office or warehouse address intended for the trade license.
  • NOC from current UAE employer if the applicant is on an existing residence visa being transferred.
  • Board Resolution in original for branch office registrations, notarised and apostilled in India.
  • Certificate of Good Standing from the Indian Registrar of Companies for branch registrations, valid for six months from issuance.
  • Company profile or business plan document if applying for strategic sector activities such as aerospace maintenance, renewable energy, or healthcare.

How KAMRIT runs it, step by step

The DED and ADDED have digitised most application workflows, but manual coordination with typinguing centres, medical clinics, and immigration offices still requires physical presence steps.

  1. Trade Name Reservation and Initial Approval. KAMRIT files Form TM-1 with the DED or ADDED portal to reserve the trade name and simultaneously applies for Initial Approval Certificate. The DED issues Initial Approval within 2 to 3 working days if the activity code is on the permitted list. Name reservation remains valid for 60 days. This step includes a DED trademark search to prevent post-filing objections.
  2. MOA Drafting and Notarisation. KAMRIT's UAE legal associates draft the Memorandum of Association specifying capital contribution, profit-loss sharing, and appointed manager details. For single-shareholder LLCs post-2023 amendment, the MOA still requires notarisation at the UAE Courts Notary Public. Notarisation takes 1 to 2 working days after submission. Stamp duty of AED 50 to AED 200 applies depending on authorised capital declared.
  3. Ejari Registration and Office Lease. A mainland trade license requires a physical address. KAMRIT assists clients in identifying approved commercial office spaces and registers the tenancy contract through the Ejari portal. The Dubai Land Department processes Ejari applications within 24 to 48 hours. An Ejari certificate is a prerequisite for trade license finalisation and visa sponsorship.
  4. Immigration Medical Fitness and Emirates ID. KAMRIT books appointments at DHA-accredited medical fitness centres for the promoter and family members to be sponsored on the license. The medical test screens for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Tuberculosis, and Syphilis. Results are typically available within 48 hours. Emirates ID enrollment follows, with the ICP smart services platform processing the application in 5 to 7 working days.
  5. Trade License Issuion. With Initial Approval, notarised MOA, and Ejari in hand, KAMRIT submits the final trade license application through the DET GoDubai portal or ADDED system. The trade license is issued in 3 to 5 working days for service sector activities. Manufacturing and food-related licenses may require additional clearances from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) or the Food Control Department.
  6. Chamber of Commerce Registration. Post-license issuance, KAMRIT registers the company with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry or the Abu Dhabi Chamber, as applicable. Chamber membership is mandatory for tender participation and is completed within 5 to 7 working days.
  7. Corporate Bank Account Opening. KAMRIT facilitates introductions with RAKBANK, Emirates NBD, Mashreq, or ADCB for mainland company accounts. Banks require the trade license, MOA, Emirates ID of the signatory, and a business plan. Account opening timelines range from 10 to 15 working days for Indian majority-shareholder companies with clean CIBIL records.

Timeline

A straightforward service-sector LLC setup in Dubai with no negative-list activities and all documents in order moves from kickoff to trade license in 5 to 6 weeks. The DED-controlled stages (Initial Approval and trade license issuance) account for 8 to 10 working days cumulatively. The notarisation, Ejari, and immigration stages collectively run 10 to 12 working days when booked concurrently. The final 5 to 7 working days cover chamber registration and bank account initiation. Complex activities such as general trading, logistics, or food import-export add an additional 2 to 3 weeks due to MoIAT and Food Control Department clearances. If the Indian promoter is applying from within India and requires a new entry visa before onboarding, add a further 2 to 4 weeks for visa appointment scheduling and stamping. KAMRIT's on-ground coordinators in Dubai handle all counter-facing steps, reducing client travel to a single required physical presence trip lasting approximately 7 to 10 days for medical, Emirates ID enrollment, and notarisation.

How our pricing compares

KAMRIT Financial Services LLP offers UAE Mainland Company Setup starting at ₹69,999 for standard service sector registrations, with packages ranging up to ₹1,50,000 for general trading or multi-activity licenses. IndiaFilings quotes ₹55,000 to ₹85,000 for the same service, though their fee excludes the mandatory local sponsor coordination fee of approximately AED 5,000 (₹1,10,000) and Ejari registration charges. Vakilsearch lists packages from ₹60,000 but adds courier, notarisation coordination, and medical appointment handling at ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 extra on average. ClearTax UAE services, while strong on tax return filing, outsource incorporation to partner law firms, adding a 15 to 20 percent markup. LegalRaasta offers budget packages starting at ₹45,000 but with turnaround times of 10 to 14 weeks versus KAMRIT's 5 to 6 weeks. Government fees for trade name reservation (AED 580), Initial Approval (AED 520), and trade license (AED 1,430 to AED 2,580 depending on activity) are excluded from all competitor packages and KAMRIT's starting price, as these are payable directly to the DED. KAMRIT's fee structure bundles local sponsor coordination where required, Ejari registration, medical fitness appointments, and Emirates ID filing, items that competitors itemise separately.

Common mistakes KAMRIT avoids

Even experienced Indian entrepreneurs make procedural errors that delay the license by 4 to 8 weeks. Most errors stem from submitting documentation without proper Hague Apostille or misreading the activity classification list.

  • Submitting educational certificates without UAE Embassy attestation, leading to DET rejection for professional license applications under activity codes 341001 and 341002.
  • Booking medical fitness appointments before securing the application reference number from ICP, rendering test results invalid for the specific file.
  • Failing to register the tenancy contract with Ejari before trade license submission, which the DED rejects outright in 2026.
  • Choosing a trade name that contains a registered trademark held by another entity, causing the TM-1 form to be refused and the applicant to restart the naming process.
  • Incorrectly classifying a general trading activity under professional license codes, which triggers MoIAT scrutiny and a 3-week additional review period.
  • Attempting to open a corporate bank account before the trade license is physically issued and the MOA is stamped, which all UAE banks require as mandatory documents.
  • Overlooking the Chamber of Commerce membership deadline within 90 days of license issuance, resulting in penalties levied by the Dubai DED.
  • Applying for a golden visa through company setup without verifying the activity falls on the Cabinet Resolution No. (54) of 2023 Positive List, wasting the entire filing.

Frequently asked questions

How much does UAE Mainland Company Setup cost in India 2026?

KAMRIT's published starting price for UAE Mainland Company Setup is ₹69,999. Pricing is fixed-fee with no hidden charges. Government fees are extra and disclosed separately. The exact fee depends on scope, state, and any add-ons. See the package cards on this page for tiered options.

What documents will KAMRIT need for UAE Mainland Company Setup?

KAMRIT shares a precise checklist on the kickoff call within one business day of your enquiry. Typical documents include identity and address proof of the directors or principal officer, business address proof, and any service-specific supporting documents.

How long does UAE Mainland Company Setup take?

Timelines depend on regulator processing. KAMRIT initiates filings within one business day of receiving complete documents and tracks every notification. For most India-based filings the end-to-end timeline is 7 to 21 working days.

Does KAMRIT serve clients outside Delhi and Noida?

Yes. KAMRIT serves clients across India and globally. The team is headquartered at 1372, Kashmere Gate, Delhi 110006 and at 4th Floor, C130, Sector 2, Noida 201301 (Uttar Pradesh), with engagement teams across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune.

Can KAMRIT also handle ongoing compliance after UAE Mainland Company Setup?

Yes. KAMRIT supports the entire compliance lifecycle. Most clients move to a fixed-fee monthly retainer covering GST, TDS, ROC, payroll, PF, ESI, and FEMA after their initial registration is complete.

Is the pricing all-inclusive?

KAMRIT's professional fee is fixed and transparent. Government statutory fees, stamp duty, and any third-party costs (notarisation, valuation reports, etc.) are extra and disclosed before work starts.

How do I get started with UAE Mainland Company Setup?

Send your enquiry through our contact form. A senior KAMRIT expert reviews it within one business day and replies with a precise document checklist and a fixed-fee quote.

Get started with UAE Mainland Company Setup

A senior KAMRIT expert responds within one business day. Pricing is fixed-fee.

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