The Department of Economy & Tourism (DET) is the government authority responsible for issuing mainland trade licenses in Dubai. If you want to operate within the UAE market, take on government contracts, or run a business anywhere in Dubai without restrictions, a DET Mainland License is the ideal choice.
Assertive Zone helps entrepreneurs, startups, and investors set up mainland businesses with complete compliance and fast processing.
A DET mainland license is more than just a piece of paper. It’s the legal foundation that gives your business the widest possible operating scope in the UAE. Here’s what makes it stand out:
DET issues different license categories depending on the nature of your business. Choosing the right one matters — it determines what activities you can legally carry out and what approvals you may need.
| License Type | What It Covers | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial License | Trading in goods, products, import, export, and distribution | Retailers, wholesalers, trading companies, e-commerce, import/export businesses |
| Professional License | Knowledge-based and service-oriented activities | Consultants, IT firms, marketing agencies, designers, legal professionals, medical practitioners |
| Industrial License | Manufacturing, production, and processing activities | Factories, food processing units, product manufacturers, assembly operations |
| Tourism License | Travel, tourism, and hospitality-related services | Travel agencies, tour operators, destination management companies, hotel operations |
| General Trading License | Multiple product categories under a single license | Businesses dealing in a wide variety of products without restricting to a single category |
This is the most important decision in the entire setup. The activity you choose determines your license type, any external approvals required, and what you can legally do as a business. We sit down with you to understand your plans and match them to the right DET activity codes.
DET mainland companies can be set up under several different legal structures — the most common being an LLC (Limited Liability Company), Sole Establishment, Civil Company, or a Branch of a Foreign Company. Each has different ownership, liability, and documentation requirements. We advise you on the right structure for your situation.
We submit your preferred business name to DET for approval. Names are checked against existing registrations and DET’s naming guidelines. If your first choice isn’t available, we help you find strong alternatives quickly.
DET reviews your proposed activity, legal structure, and trade name. Initial approval confirms the setup is authorized to proceed. For activities requiring external approvals, we flag these and begin coordinating with the relevant authorities in parallel.
A physical office is mandatory for DET mainland companies. We help you understand the minimum space requirements for your activity and visa allocation needs. Once a lease is signed, we assist in registering it on Ejari — the UAE’s official tenancy registration system.
For LLCs and multi-shareholder structures, the MOA is prepared and notarized through a UAE notary public. This legally establishes the ownership structure and operating terms of your company.
All documentation — approvals, MOA, lease, and application forms — is submitted to DET. Government fees are paid, and the license is processed.
Once the establishment card is issued, visa applications can begin. We manage the entire immigration process — entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID, and visa stamping.
With your license and establishment card in hand, we help you prepare and submit your banking file to the most suitable UAE bank for your business profile and sector.
There’s no shortage of business setup consultants in Dubai. Here’s what actually makes working with Assertive Zone different — in ways that matter when you’re spending real money and time on this.
We Give You Honest Advice Before Anything Else Before we talk about fees or packages, we take the time to understand your business properly. If DET mainland is right for you, we’ll tell you exactly why. If a different setup — like a free zone or offshore — would serve you better, we’ll say that too. We’d rather lose a sale than set a client up with the wrong license.
You Get a Clear, Itemized Quote — No Surprises Hidden charges are unfortunately common in the business setup industry in Dubai. At Assertive Zone, we give you a full breakdown of government fees, our service charges, and any third-party costs before you commit to anything. What’s quoted is what you pay.
One Point of Contact Throughout the Entire Process From the first consultation to the day your license is in your hands, you deal with one dedicated team — not a different person for every step. This means fewer miscommunications, faster responses, and a smoother overall experience.
Full PRO and Government Liaison Services Our PRO team handles all interactions with DET, the notary, immigration authorities, and any other government bodies involved in your setup. You don’t need to navigate government portals, stand in queues, or follow up on approvals yourself.
Activity and Legal Structure Guidance Choosing the wrong activity code or legal structure is one of the most common — and most costly — mistakes in mainland setup. Our consultants know the DET activity list thoroughly and advise you on the structure that best fits your ownership preferences, liability profile, and long-term goals.
Office Sourcing and Ejari Registration Support We help you find office space that meets DET requirements without overpaying. Whether you need a modest desk space or a full commercial office, we guide you to practical options and handle the Ejari registration process.
Investor and Employee Visa Processing Getting the visa process right is just as important as the license. We manage everything — entry permits, medical appointments, Emirates ID, and visa stamping — so your residency is secured without unnecessary back-and-forth.
Bank Account Coordination UAE bank account opening for new companies has become more selective in recent years. We prepare your application file strategically, advise you on bank selection based on your business type and nationality, and give you the best possible chance of a smooth approval.
Annual Renewals and Ongoing Compliance Your DET license needs to be renewed each year, and your office lease and visa statuses need to stay current. We keep track of your deadlines and handle renewals proactively — so you’re never caught off guard with a lapsed license or expired visa.