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Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) /
DED Business Licensing Services

Establish, license, and manage your Mainland business in the UAE with expert support across company formation, trade licensing, corporate amendments, regulatory approvals, and ongoing compliance.

We help investors navigate the UAE's commercial regulatory framework while ensuring a smooth and compliant market entry process.

✔ Mainland Company Formation

✔ Trade License Issuance & Renewals

✔ Trade Name Reservation

✔ Corporate Amendments

✔ Branch Registration

✔ Regulatory Compliance Support

Speak to a Business Setup Advisor Start Your Company Formation

Understanding the Department of Economic Development (DED)

The Department of Economic Development (DED)—operating as the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) in Dubai, and Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) in the capital—is the government authority responsible for regulating Mainland commercial activities and trade licensing.

While federal bodies like the Ministry of Economy set the macro-economic policies and govern intellectual property frameworks, the local DED departments in each Emirate have exclusive authority over the onshore commercial licensing registry. If your business model requires direct local trading within the UAE, onshore distribution, or participation in domestic retail, it must be registered with and licensed by the DED rather than a Free Zone authority.

The DED's core regulatory responsibilities encompass:

Trade License Issuance Reviewing, approving, and releasing official operational licenses (commercial, professional, industrial, and tourism) onshore.
Commercial Registration Maintaining the definitive central database of Mainland companies, legal owners, managers, and corporate structures.
Trade Name Approvals Managing the reservation portal, enforcing naming guidelines, and pre-clearing trade names to protect trademark interests.
Business Activity Regulation Defining commercial classification codes (based on ISIC standards) and determining which operations require third-party government approvals.
Investor Services Providing online and offline service channels (Tasheel, Amer, and digital portals) to handle registration requests.
Commercial Inspections Conducting regular on-site audits of Mainland premises, retail stores, and warehouses to enforce consumer rights, pricing rules, and safety.
Corporate Amendments Processing and archiving changes in partnership shares, manager nominations, activity codes, corporate names, and locations.
License Renewals Processing annual commercial renewals, verifying registered leases (Ejari), and certifying Chamber of Commerce memberships.

Why DED Registration Matters

Incorporating a Mainland entity through the DED provides significant operational and commercial advantages, establishing the foundation for local and regional growth:

Legal Commercial Operations Mainland entities can trade freely, open offices or retail branches anywhere within the UAE onshore territory, and distribute goods directly without geographic restrictions.

Banking Access & Credibility A DED trade license and commercial registration are mandatory requirements for opening corporate bank accounts, securing credit lines, and clearing KYC checks with local banks.

Workforce Expansion Mainland companies can open an establishment file with MOHRE, request employment quotas, and sponsor residency visas for foreign managers and staff.

Contractual & Government Access DED-licensed entities can sign enforceable commercial agreements and qualify to bid for municipal, federal, and semi-government tenders.

Business Structures Regulated by DED

Selecting the right corporate structure determines your liability, shareholding arrangements, capital obligations, and DED approval pathways. The principal Mainland structures include:

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

The most popular vehicle for international business setup. It limits shareholder liability to their share capital and allows for 100% foreign ownership of commercial and industrial activities.

Sole Establishment

A structure owned by a single individual (UAE national, GCC national, or foreign professional with a local service agent). The owner holds full personal liability for operations.

Civil Company

Designed for professional partners (consultants, doctors, accountants, or engineers). Allows 100% foreign ownership, supported by a local service agent to manage relations.

Branch Office

An extension of a foreign or local parent company. The branch shares the parent's legal identity and conducts the same parent activities without separate capitalization.

Representative Office

An onshore presence for foreign entities to conduct marketing, research, and client liaison. Prohibited from direct commercial trade or revenue generation.

Joint Stock Companies

Public (PJSC) or Private (PrJSC) structures for capital-intensive projects. Require ministerial approvals, minimum capital reserves, and are suitable for IPOs.

Comprehensive DED Services

We act as your licensing and corporate services partner, managing the entire lifecycle of your DED registry profile:

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Trade License Issuance Securing initial approvals, selecting activity codes, coordinating external approvals (such as RERA, KHDA, or DHA), drafting contracts, and issuing your Mainland license.
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Trade Name Reservation Evaluating your brand against DED requirements, verifying availability, checking trademarks, and reserving your trade name in Arabic and English.
Memorandum of Association (MOA) Drafting, modifying, and notarizing the MOA or Local Service Agent Agreements. We structure shares, voting rights, and profits to protect your interests.
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License Renewals Managing your annual renewals. We verify your Ejari contracts, obtain Chamber of Commerce certificates, submit required filings, and pay government fees.
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Business Amendments Handling corporate updates on the DED registry, including share transfers, partner entry/exit, manager changes, capital adjustments, activity updates, and address relocations.
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Branch Registration Establishing Mainland branches of foreign corporations or local UAE companies. We coordinate parent company legalizations, ministry approvals, and trade license setups.

Mainland Company Formation Process

We guide you through the 8 essential steps to incorporate your Mainland entity and obtain your trade license:

Step 1 Activity Assessment

Evaluating your business model to select the correct activity codes and determine third-party approvals.

Step 2 Name Reservation

Submitting your desired trade name for DED review to ensure compliance with naming rules.

Step 3 Initial Approval

Securing DED's initial approval, confirming there are no regulatory objections to your setup.

Step 4 MOA Notarization

Drafting the MOA or Local Service Agent agreement and notarizing it digitally or in court.

Step 5 Office Lease & Ejari

Leasing physical office space onshore and registering the tenancy contract in the Ejari system.

Step 6 License Issuance

Paying the DED government voucher and collecting your official Trade License and register files.

Step 7 Workforce Setup

Registering your entity with MOHRE and the Immigration Department to process employee visas.

Step 8 Bank Onboarding

Compiling your corporate registry files to complete onboarding and open your bank account.

Business Activity & License Classification

The DED categorizes trade licenses based on the nature of the economic activities conducted. Choosing the correct classifications is essential to define your corporate scope, secure regulatory approvals, and avoid administrative penalties:

Commercial License Covers trading, distribution, export/import, retail, and commercial sales activities. Allows up to 100% foreign ownership for most business types.
Professional License Applies to service-based and consultancy businesses (such as management consulting, legal advisory, IT services, and marketing). Foreign investors can retain 100% ownership, supported by a local service agent.
Industrial License Required for businesses engaged in manufacturing, raw materials processing, packaging, assembly, and production. Requires physical warehouses and environmental clearances.
Tourism License Mandatory for travel agencies, tour operators, hotel management, hospitality providers, and tourism services. Requires coordination with local tourism authorities (such as Dubai's DET).

Corporate Compliance & Governance

Establishing a Mainland company requires ongoing compliance with federal and local regulations to maintain good standing and protect operations:

Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) Entities must maintain a detailed UBO register at their registered offices and file beneficial owner data with the DED to comply with Cabinet Decision No. 109 of 2023.

Corporate Tax Registration Mainland entities must register for Corporate Tax through the EmaraTax portal to comply with Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022. A 9% tax applies to taxable income exceeding AED 375,000.

Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (such as real estate, auditing, and corporate services) must register on the goAML portal and report suspicious activity.

Annual Renewals & Records Trade licenses must be renewed annually, verifying active office leases (Ejari) and Chamber registrations. Accounting records must be retained for at least 5 years.

Sector-Specific Licensing Support

We support businesses across diverse economic sectors, managing their unique DED licensing and third-party approval requirements:

Technology & SaaS Licensing specialized digital activities, managing software development classifications, and coordinating registrations with the TDRA.
E-Commerce Securing commercial e-commerce licenses, establishing secure payment gateway connections, and ensuring compliance with consumer protection rules.
Professional Services Establishing consultancy entities, drafting service agreements, managing local service agent relations, and registering under goAML requirements.
Real Estate Securing brokerage or property management licenses, coordinating clearances with RERA, and implementing AML compliance registers.
Healthcare Coordinating with local health authorities (such as DHA or MOHAP) to secure medical center licenses and verify doctor credentials.
Construction Securing contracting licenses, managing classification limits, coordinating municipal approvals, and processing high-volume work permits.
Manufacturing Securing industrial licenses, coordinating with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), and arranging warehouse inspections.
Logistics Licensing transport, storage, and cargo services, coordinating clearances with the RTA, and securing land transport permits.
Retail Obtaining retail licenses, managing commercial leases, arranging store inspections, and complying with consumer pricing rules.
Hospitality Coordinating travel agent, hotel, or dining licenses, and securing approvals from civil defense and tourism boards (such as DET).

Key Business Setup Deliverables

Our advisory process is designed to deliver verified corporate documents to secure your Mainland entity:

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Trade License Certificate The primary commercial license issued by the DED, detailing your company's activities, partners, and managers.

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Commercial Registration Certificate Official registration document confirming your entity's legal establishment on the central DED corporate registry.

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Memorandum of Association The notarized constitutional document (MOA) or Service Agent Agreement establishing your company's legal parameters.

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Establishment Card Your company's official registration card with MOHRE and the Immigration Department, enabling visa sponsor files.

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Chamber of Commerce Certificate Active membership certificate from the local Chamber of Commerce, required for trading and commercial certifications.

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UBO Compliance Documentation Your verified corporate Beneficial Ownership register, prepared and filed in compliance with DED mandates.

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Corporate Amendment Certificates Official certificates and addenda validating corporate changes (such as capital adjustments or manager changes).

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License Renewal Certificates Official renewal receipts and updated commercial certificates confirming compliance for the active trading year.

Why Choose Our Business Setup Team

We combine technical expertise in UAE commercial law with digital coordination to streamline your Mainland incorporation:

UAE Regulatory Expertise Our advisors keep pace with the latest corporate laws, commercial activity classifications, and local DED portal updates to ensure compliant advice.
Dedicated Licensing Specialists We assign dedicated client relations managers to handle your trade name reservation, initial approvals, and DED portal transactions.
Fast Government Coordination Direct integration with Tasheel and smart government systems allows us to process submissions and secure approvals efficiently.
Corporate Structuring Experience We help structure your Mainland entities (LLCs, branches, or JSCs) to support capital allocation, liability protection, and tax efficiency.
Compliance-Focused Approach We align your Mainland company formation with federal mandates, including UBO registers, Corporate Tax registration, and goAML portal rules.
Investor-Centric Advisory Our advisors focus on your commercial objectives, helping you select locations, secure premises, and prepare banking dossiers.
End-to-End Business Setup Support From initial activity assessment to trade license issuance, Ejari registration, visa coordination, and bank account onboarding.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Department of Economic Development (DED) is the local government authority in each Emirate responsible for regulating Mainland commercial activities, maintaining the company registry, issuing trade licenses, and enforcing business compliance.

Mainland companies are licensed by the local DED, allowing them to trade freely throughout the UAE onshore market. Free Zone companies are licensed by specific geographic zones, restricting their direct onshore trade unless they appoint a DED-licensed distributor or open a Mainland branch.

Yes. Under the amendments introduced by Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020, foreign investors can own 100% of Mainland commercial and industrial entities. However, restrictions still apply to "Strategic Impact" sectors (such as banking, defense, and utilities).

Standard DED Trade Licenses typically take between 3 to 7 working days once trade name reservation and initial approvals are secured. The timeline may extend if your commercial activities require third-party approvals (such as RERA, DHA, or TDRA).

Yes. Standard DED Trade Licenses require a registered physical office address and a verified lease contract registered in the Ejari system. Virtual office options are generally restricted to specific initial or temporary license types.

Activities in regulated sectors require approvals from relevant federal or local bodies. For example, medical services require DHA approval, schools require KHDA/ADEK clearance, real estate brokerage requires RERA approval, and transport services require RTA clearance.

Yes. You can amend your trade license details at any time by submitting an amendment request to the DED. This includes adding new activity codes, deleting existing ones, or changing your commercial structure, subject to approvals.

A Mainland Trade License is typically valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually. Some DED departments allow multi-year renewals for specific structures, subject to pre-payment of fees and verification of active lease agreements.

Operating with an expired trade license can lead to administrative fines, portal blocks (suspending visa processing), and potential legal closure of operations. Ongoing delays in renewal may result in the entity being blacklisted.

Yes. Our business setup advisors manage the entire Mainland incorporation process, from initial activity assessments and trade name reservations to MOA notarizations, Ejari setups, license issuance, visa coordination, and bank account setups.

Ready to Establish Your Mainland Business?

Protect your commercial investment and ensure full regulatory compliance. Partner with our setup experts to manage your DED registration and trade licensing.

Speak to a Business Setup Advisor

Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) / DED Business Licensing Services