Secure 100% foreign ownership and operate anywhere in the UAE. A DET license is your official key to local trade, government contracts, and unlimited growth.
Business Activities
3,000+
Foreign Ownership
100%
Avg. License Issuance
1 Day
Visa Potential
Unlimited
Minimum Capital
AED 0
The Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), formerly DED, is the government authority for all Dubai Mainland businesses. A DET license provides the legal framework to operate directly within the UAE's robust local market, offering unparalleled access to consumers, government tenders, and strategic commercial locations across the emirate.
Position your business for maximum growth, market penetration, and profitability within the UAE.
Retain full control and 100% of profits for most commercial and industrial activities without the need for an Emirati partner.
Trade directly with customers and businesses across the entire UAE and become eligible to bid on lucrative government contracts.
Your employee visa quota is based on your office size, not an arbitrary cap, enabling unrestricted team growth as your business expands.
Establish your office, retail store, or warehouse anywhere in the city, selecting the perfect location to fit your strategy and budget.
Repatriate 100% of your capital and profits back to your home country and conduct transactions in any currency without restrictions.
A strategic investment in unparalleled market access and long-term growth. While initial costs are higher than free zones, the returns are significantly greater.
Billed annually
Billed annually
AED Pricing
A strategic investment in unparalleled market access and long-term growth. While initial costs are higher than free zones, the returns are significantly greater.
Total Estimated Cost (Year 1)
Estimated first-year setup fees derived from landing page content.
Cost Phase Timeline
Active Phase 1
AED 4,440
AED 3,870
DET offers a comprehensive range of licenses covering over 3,000 activities to match your specific business model.
Choose from over 3,000 approved activities across all major economic sectors.
| Activity Name | Category |
|---|---|
| General Trading | Commercial / Trading |
| E-Commerce | Commercial / Trading |
| Import & Export | Commercial / Trading |
| Management Consultancy | Professional / Consultancy |
| Marketing Consultancy | Professional / Consultancy |
| Information Technology Consultants | Professional / Consultancy |
| Garments Manufacturing | Industrial / Manufacturing |
| Perfumes Manufacturing | Industrial / Manufacturing |
| Structural Metal Products Manufacturing | Industrial / Manufacturing |
| Hotel | Tourism / Hospitality |
| Holiday Homes | Tourism / Hospitality |
| Event Management | Tourism / Hospitality |
| Computer Systems & Communication Equipment Software Design | Technology / Innovation |
| Web-Design | Technology / Innovation |
| Managed Cyber Security Services Provider | Technology / Innovation |
Showing 1 to 15 of 18
Launch your Dubai business efficiently through DET's integrated digital services.
Phase 1 Focus
Reserve your company name and submit your business activity for initial approval from DET. This can be done online via the digital portal.
Sign your Memorandum of Association (MOA) and secure a mandatory commercial lease, which must be registered with Ejari.
Submit all required documents, including the signed MOA and Ejari, and pay the official government fees to receive your trade license.
Once your license is issued, apply for your company's Establishment Card (immigration file) to begin sponsoring employee and investor visas.
For entrepreneurs who need to open a physical shop, trade goods, or sell services directly to consumers anywhere in the UAE, free from the confines of a zone.
Primary Benefit
Unrestricted access to the entire local market.
Essential for professional firms in construction, engineering, or consultancy aiming to win high-value tenders from UAE government entities.
Primary Benefit
Eligibility to bid for lucrative government contracts.
Ideal for large companies establishing a regional HQ or subsidiary that requires a large workforce and the freedom to choose a prime office location.
Primary Benefit
Scalable visa quotas that grow with your office size.
The only choice for investors opening a restaurant, café, or hotel in a high-footfall area, providing the necessary licenses and location flexibility.
Primary Benefit
Total freedom to choose the perfect city location.
Understand the key differences to choose the right jurisdiction for your long-term business goals.
| Feature Highlight | DET Mainland | Major Dubai Free Zone (e.g., DMCC) | Industrial Free Zone (e.g., JAFZA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Market Trading | Permitted directly across the UAE | Restricted; requires a local agent | Restricted; requires a local agent |
| Government Tenders | Eligible to bid | Not eligible | Not eligible |
| Office/Retail Location | Anywhere in Dubai | Only within the free zone's territory | Only within the free zone's territory |
| Visa Quota | Unlimited, based on office size | Limited by package or facility size | Limited by package or facility size |
| 100% Foreign Ownership | Yes, for most activities | Yes | Yes |
| Corporate Tax Rate | 9% above AED 375k threshold | 0% for Qualifying Free Zone Persons | 0% for Qualifying Free Zone Persons |
| VAT Designated Zone (Goods) | No | No (generally) | Yes |
This is a simplified comparison. Specific regulations may vary between free zones.
A DET Mainland license is your foundation for growth, market leadership, and unlimited opportunity in Dubai. Let's start building.
