LLC Company Formation in Dubai, UAE
LLC company formation in Dubai from about AED 15,200 for a DET licence. Ownership rules, MOA, Ejari, visa quotas and the full registration sequence explained.
Business Setup AE editorial review Last reviewed 2026-09-09
Quick answer
A Dubai mainland LLC costs about AED 15,200 for the DET licence plus Ejari office rent from AED 10,000 a year, and takes 5 to 10 working days. Most activities now allow 100% foreign ownership with no local sponsor; the LLC can trade anywhere in the UAE and bid for government work.
- DET licence from
- AED 15,200
- Ejari office from
- AED 10,000 / yr
- Foreign ownership
- 100% most activities
- Setup time
- 5 – 10 working days
The Limited Liability Company is the standard onshore structure in the UAE. It is licensed by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) in Dubai, can trade directly with any customer in the country, sign government contracts and open retail premises. Liability is limited to the paid-up share capital, and an LLC can carry between two and fifty shareholders.
Since the 2021 amendment to the Commercial Companies Law, most commercial and professional activities no longer require a UAE national shareholder. A defined list of strategic activities — mainly in energy, transport and defence-adjacent sectors — still carries Emirati ownership conditions. The DET activity list states the rule for each code before you pay anything.
This page covers the real cost stack of a Dubai LLC in 2026: licence fee, trade name, initial approval, notarised Memorandum of Association, Ejari tenancy and the immigration registrations that follow. Compare mainland packages from verified providers to see the same numbers itemised.
| Factor | Dubai LLC (mainland) | Free zone entity |
|---|---|---|
| Sell to UAE consumers | Yes | Via distributor / dual licence |
| Government tenders | Yes | No |
| Premises | Ejari office mandatory | Flexi-desk accepted |
| Ownership | 100% for most activities | 100% always |
| Corporate tax | 9% above AED 375,000 profit | 0% on qualifying income if conditions met |
| Setup time | 5 – 10 working days | 3 – 7 working days |
What an LLC gives you that a free zone licence does not
- Unrestricted trading across the UAE — retail, B2B, government tenders
- Eligibility for DET commercial, professional, industrial and tourism licences
- Visa quota tied to office size, not a zone facility tier — scale by adding square metres
- Multiple branches across Dubai under the same licence
- No restriction on the number of business activities you can add (grouped by category)
LLC cost breakdown in Dubai, 2026
| Item | Typical cost (AED) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trade name reservation | 620 – 2,000 | Foreign or non-standard names cost more |
| Initial approval | 120 – 270 | DET administrative fee |
| DET trade licence | 15,200 – 25,000 | Varies by activity group |
| MOA notarisation | 500 – 2,000 | Notary public, scales with capital clauses |
| Ejari office / shop tenancy | 10,000 – 60,000+ | Mandatory; sets your visa quota |
| Establishment card | 1,800 – 2,500 | Immigration registration |
| Investor / employment visa each | 3,500 – 5,700 | Entry permit, medical, Emirates ID, stamping |
Ownership rules and the local sponsor question
For most activities you can own 100% of a Dubai LLC. The older 51% Emirati shareholding requirement survives only on the strategic-activities list. Professional licence holders who prefer a sole-establishment structure can still appoint a Local Service Agent — an agent has no shares and no claim on profit, only a fixed annual fee.
Always confirm the ownership rule against the exact DET activity code, not the activity name. Two codes with similar descriptions can sit in different categories.
Who this option suits best
- Retail, F&B and e-commerce brands selling to UAE consumers
- Contractors and subcontractors on UAE sites
- Companies bidding for government or semi-government work
- Businesses that will hire a growing team and need flexible visa quotas
- Founders planning multiple branches or a showroom
Step-by-step process
- 1
Choose activity codes and legal form1 day
Pick the DET codes that cover what you actually sell; confirm the ownership rule for each.
- 2
Reserve the trade name1 day
Submit three options through DET. Names must match the activity and avoid restricted words.
- 3
Initial approval1 – 2 days
DET confirms the government has no objection to the shareholders and activity.
- 4
Sign and notarise the MOA1 – 2 days
Memorandum of Association sets shares, capital and management. Notarised in person or by e-notary.
- 5
Secure premises and Ejari1 – 5 days
Sign the tenancy and register it on Ejari before the licence can print.
- 6
Licence issuance1 – 3 days
Pay the DET voucher and receive the trade licence.
- 7
Establishment card, visas, bank2 – 4 weeks
Immigration file, then residence visas, then the corporate bank account.
Documents required
- Passport copies (valid 6+ months) for every shareholder and manager
- Passport-size photo with white background for each applicant
- Proof of address or a recent utility bill / bank statement
- Three proposed trade names in order of preference
- Business activity list and a short business description
- Emirates ID and visa copy or entry stamp if you are already in the UAE
- Notarised Memorandum of Association
- Ejari-registered tenancy contract
Realistic timeline
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Approvals and licence | 5 – 10 working days |
| Establishment card | 2 – 5 working days |
| Residence visa | 7 – 14 working days |
| Corporate bank account | 1 – 4 weeks |
Figures reflect 2026 DET and immigration fee schedules. Provider service fees are additional and itemised on every package in the marketplace.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Signing an office lease before initial approval
Fix: Get DET initial approval first; lease terms are hard to reverse.
Choosing activity codes by name alone
Fix: Read the code description — ownership and external approvals differ by code.
Under-sizing the office
Fix: Visa quota follows Ejari square metres; a too-small office caps hiring.
Paying a 'sponsor fee' for an activity that allows 100% ownership
Fix: Check the strategic-activities list; most activities need no sponsor at all.
Myth vs reality
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| A Dubai LLC always needs a 51% local partner | Most activities have permitted 100% foreign ownership since 2021. Only strategic activities keep Emirati ownership conditions. |
| An LLC is always more expensive than a free zone | Licence fees are comparable; the real difference is mandatory Ejari premises and the wider market access it buys. |
Compliance after licensing
- Corporate tax registration with the FTA — 9% applies on taxable profit above AED 375,000; 0% below it. Small Business Relief may apply to revenue under AED 3m.
- VAT registration is mandatory once taxable turnover passes AED 375,000 in 12 months, and voluntary from AED 187,500.
- Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) notifications for relevant activities such as holding, IP, headquarters and distribution.
- Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) register kept with the licensing authority and updated within 15 days of any change.
- Anti-Money Laundering (AML) registration on the goAML portal for designated non-financial businesses and professions.
- Annual licence and establishment-card renewal, plus audited financials where the free zone or activity requires them.
Regulators referenced: Ministry of Economy (UAE) · Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) · Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) · Federal Tax Authority (FTA) · General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) · Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
Frequently asked questions
How much does LLC company formation cost in Dubai in 2026?
Can a foreigner own 100% of a Dubai LLC?
Do I need a local sponsor for a Dubai LLC?
How many visas does a Dubai LLC get?
How long does it take to form an LLC in Dubai?
Can an LLC operate in free zones?
People also ask
Is an LLC the same as a mainland company?
The LLC is the most common mainland legal form. 'Mainland' describes the jurisdiction; 'LLC' describes the shareholding structure licensed within it.
What is the minimum share capital for a Dubai LLC?
DET does not enforce a fixed minimum for most activities; the MOA states the capital and shares are not required to be deposited up front for standard activities.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Dubai LLC?
Not directly. Founders typically open a mainland LLC or branch and migrate contracts, staff and bank accounts to it.
Does a Dubai LLC pay corporate tax?
Yes — 9% on taxable profit above AED 375,000, with Small Business Relief available below AED 3 million revenue. VAT registration is mandatory above AED 375,000 turnover.
Founder checklist
- Confirm the exact activity codes you need before paying any fee
- Compare at least three verified providers on total year-one cost, not licence cost alone
- Check the visa quota attached to your chosen facility (flexi-desk vs office)
- Ask what is excluded: establishment card, e-channel deposit, medical, Emirates ID, PRO fees
- Confirm bank-account support and which banks the provider actually opens with
- Register for corporate tax within the deadline after licence issuance
- Diarise your licence renewal date and UBO/ESR filing dates
Why you can trust this guide
- Independent marketplace — Business Setup AE does not form companies and takes no commission on provider pricing
- Every listed provider holds a valid UAE trade licence and publishes fixed prices
- Costs reviewed against 2026 published government schedules
- Written and reviewed by advisers who have processed UAE licences and residence visas
Editorial ownership: Business Setup AE Editorial Team. See our editorial and corrections policy and package verification method.
Related guides and services
Official government sources
Fees, thresholds and licensing rules on this page are checked against these official UAE government and regulator sources.
- Ministry of Economy — Commercial Companies LawLegal basis for LLC shareholding and liability
- Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET)MOA notarisation and LLC licensing steps
- Federal Tax Authority — corporate tax and VATSource for the 9% corporate tax threshold and VAT registration limits
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