Ask anyone in Dubai how to start a mainland company and you will hear the same three letters: DED. For years, the Department of Economic Development issued Dubai’s mainland trade licences, and the name stuck. The authority has changed, but the licence founders are looking for has not. Here is what a DED licence means today and how to get one.
From DED to DET
In November 2021, Dubai merged Dubai Economy, the department formerly known as DED, with Dubai Tourism. The new entity is Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), as announced through WAM, the UAE’s official news agency. DET now licenses mainland businesses, so when someone asks for a DED licence, they mean a mainland trade licence issued by DET.
Why founders choose a mainland licence
A mainland licence suits businesses that want to trade directly in the UAE market. As Invest in Dubai puts it, the mainland is the path for companies looking to trade within the UAE or preferring not to sit inside a free zone.
Ownership is no longer the barrier it once was. According to the UAE Government portal, Federal Decree-Law No. 26 of 2020 removed the requirement for a major Emirati shareholder or agent. Dubai now permits 100% foreign ownership for more than 1,000 commercial and industrial activities. Activities with a strategic impact remain subject to separate rules.
Types of mainland licence
Most mainland businesses fall into one of three core categories:
- Commercial licence: for trading activities, such as buying and selling goods.
- Professional licence: for services and consultancy based on skills and expertise.
- Industrial licence: for manufacturing and production activities.
Invest in Dubai also lists the eTrader, dual, instant, SME and Intelaq licences, each designed for specific business models. The right choice depends on your activity, so that decision comes first.
How to get a DED licence: the steps
The UAE Government portal sets out the standard mainland process:
- Choose your activity and legal form. There are more than 2,000 business activities in the UAE, and your legal form, such as an LLC, must match your activity.
- Reserve your trade name. It must include your legal form, such as LLC or EST, suit your activity and not already be registered.
- Obtain initial approval. This confirms the government has no objection to your business, but it does not yet allow you to operate.
- Prepare your MoA or service agent agreement. LLCs need a Memorandum of Association attested by a notary. Some businesses fully owned by non-GCC nationals also need a local service agent agreement.
- Secure your business premises. Every business needs a physical address, and in Dubai the lease must be registered with Ejari.
- Get any additional approvals. Regulated activities need sign-off from the relevant authority. Examples include the Central Bank for financial institutions and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation for recruitment.
- Pay and collect your licence. Fees must be paid within 30 days of receiving the payment voucher, or the application is cancelled.
After the licence is issued
Your licence is the start, not the finish. Next come your immigration file, residence visas, a corporate bank account and tax registration. According to the Ministry of Finance, all Taxable Persons must register for Corporate Tax, so build this into your plan from day one.
How Bexford can help
The mainland process has several moving parts, and small errors in activity selection or trade naming can cost weeks. Bexford helps founders choose the right activity and legal form, prepare the documents and coordinate each step with DET and other authorities. Licences and approvals are issued by the authorities, and our role is to make sure your application is complete and ready when it reaches them.
Explore our mainland company formation services or book a free consultation.
