Institute of UAE

Mainland Setup (DED)

Following recent amendments to the Commercial Companies Law, foreign investors can now own 100% of a mainland LLC for thousands of commercial and industrial activities, negating the historical need for a 51% Emirati sponsor.

Steps to Establish an LLC

  1. Initial Approval from DED
  2. Trade Name Reservation
  3. Drafting the MOA (Memorandum of Association)
  4. Securing an Office Space (Ejari required)
  5. Final Submission and License Issuance

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I still need a Local Service Agent?
For most commercial activities, no. Only specific highly regulated sectors (e.g., defense, specific telecommunications) require local partnership.