LLC Company Formation in Dubai: Mainland Steps and Documents

Last updated 3 November 2026

LLC company formation in Dubai is the path for owners who want limited liability and the right to trade anywhere in the UAE. It runs through DET, the Department of Economy and Tourism, on the Invest in Dubai portal. An LLC suits a shop, a trading firm or any business with two or more partners.

What does a Dubai LLC give you?

Limited liability for the owners.
A trade licence with the activities you list.
The right to sell to anyone in the UAE.
Staff and owner visas under the company.

How do you get a Dubai LLC?

Activity and name. Pick the activities and reserve a trade name.
Initial approval. DET confirms the legal form and notes any outside approval.
Memorandum of association. All owners sign. See MOA and board resolution.
Office lease. Register it through Ejari.
Fees and licence. Pay, then collect the licence.
After the licence. Establishment card, visas, bank account and tax registration.

What documents do you need for a Dubai LLC?

Owner type	Documents
Person	Passport, Emirates ID if resident, photo, address proof
Company	Incorporation papers, memorandum, board resolution, shareholder passports, power of attorney if signed by an agent

Papers issued abroad usually need attestation first.

After you are licensed

Register for corporate tax. It is free and has a deadline, see corporate tax registration. Set up the bank account and decide on VAT when your sales pass the limit.

How much does a Dubai LLC cost?

An LLC pays the DET licence fee plus the office and visas. Agencies publish about AED 12,500 to AED 15,000 a year for a commercial licence fee (published prices of 2 agencies, checked October 2026). The notary and drafting costs vary, and we do not quote a figure. Read mainland licence cost.

When is an LLC the right choice?

The overview is on Dubai mainland company setup. For an LLC inside a zone, see company formation in the UAE.

Sources

UAE government portal, full foreign ownership: https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/business/Doing-business/doing-business-on-the-mainland/full-foreign-ownership-of-commercial-companies
Invest in Dubai: https://investindubai.gov.ae
Alaan, Dubai trade licence cost guide: https://www.alaan.com/blog/dubai-trade-licence-cost-requirements-guide

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Questions people ask

What is an LLC in Dubai?

A limited liability company. Owners are liable only up to the capital they put in. It is licensed on the mainland by DET and is the usual form for trading and larger service firms.

Can an LLC be 100% foreign owned?

For most activities, yes. The UAE government portal says most mainland companies can be fully foreign owned. Check your activity at initial approval.

How many owners can an LLC have?

One or more. Confirm the current limit and any capital rule for your activity with DET or a licensed partner, because rules were updated by the Commercial Companies Law.

What is the memorandum of association?

The company's founding contract. It states the name, activities, owners, capital and how profit is shared. It is signed by the owners or their attorney and notarised.

LLC or free zone company?

An LLC can trade across the UAE. A free zone company, such as an FZ-LLC, sits in its zone. The free zone or mainland page compares them.