New Mainland Trade License Setup in the UAE
End-to-end support to register your mainland company and obtain a UAE trade license—practical guidance on activities, approvals, documentation and application submission tailored to Dubai, Ajman and other emirates.
Overview
AL SAHRAA Businessmen Services LLC helps entrepreneurs and businesses register a mainland trade license across the UAE with clear, step-by-step support. We assess your business activities, advise on legal and regulatory requirements, and prepare the application package to submit to the relevant Department of Economic Development (or equivalent local authority). We guide you through company structure options, shareholder requirements, and local sponsorship rules that affect mainland licensing. Our team coordinates name reservation, initial approvals, and drafting of non-legal MOA/AOA documentation as needed to meet authority criteria. To reduce delays we pre-check documents, clarify activity-specific approvals (professional, commercial, industrial), and liaise with the issuing authority to track progress. We do not provide legal advice; we provide administrative coordination and application management to help your registration proceed smoothly. After licence issuance we can assist with ongoing administrative needs such as trade license renewal, amendments, or setting up additional branches to keep your operations compliant and up to date.
What to prepare
- Passport copies of shareholders and managers
- UAE residence visa copy (if applicable)
- Proposed company name and business activity list
- Memorandum and Articles of Association draft (if applicable)
- Proof of address for shareholders (utility bill or bank statement)
- Completed application forms and signed authorizations
How the process works
- Initial consultation and activity assessment
- Company name reservation and document checklist
- Prepare and submit initial approval and application to licensing authority
- Coordinate MOA/AOA drafting (non-legal) and collect required signatures
- Receive license and provide post-issuance administrative guidance
Why clients choose AL SAHRAA
- Admin-reviewed quotations before you proceed.
- Document coordination and progress tracking in one portal.
- Support for business, compliance, visa, insurance, and IT-related requests.
- Clear request history, updates, and delivery follow-up.
Frequently asked questions
How long does mainland trade license setup usually take?
Processing times vary by emirate and activity; typically 1–4 weeks after submission of a complete application and any required external approvals.
Can a foreigner own 100% of a mainland company?
Ownership rules depend on the business activity and legal form. Some activities allow full foreign ownership while others require a UAE national partner or specific legal structures; we advise on options during assessment.
Do you handle approvals for regulated activities (e.g., healthcare, education, professional)?
We coordinate the submission and documentation for activity-specific approvals but will identify and refer any technical or legal specialist approvals required by the relevant regulator.
What are the ongoing obligations after I get the trade license?
Typical obligations include renewing the trade license annually, updating license details for activity or partner changes, and maintaining any specific regulatory compliance for your industry.
Can you help set up branches or add additional licenses later?
Yes—AL SAHRAA assists with branch or additional license setup, as well as amendments and renewals to keep your mainland operations compliant.
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