Business Setup in Ajman Mainland
Business setup in Ajman mainland means a company licensed by the Ajman Department of Economic Development (DED), with 100% foreign ownership for most commercial and industrial activities and direct access to UAE customers. We handle the steps from trade name to licence, visas and bank account.
Description
Business setup in Ajman mainland gives you a company licensed by the Ajman Department of Economic Development (Ajman DED). It can sell to customers and businesses anywhere in the UAE, rent premises in Ajman, and sponsor residence visas for owners and staff. If you're planning a business setup in Ajman and most of your customers are inside the UAE, mainland is usually the simplest structure.
Since June 2021, Ajman DED has allowed 100% foreign ownership for more than 1,000 commercial and industrial activities. A short list of "strategic impact" activities (such as banking, insurance, telecoms and security) still has ownership restrictions set at federal level. Before you commit, we check that your exact activity is open to full foreign ownership and whether it needs an approval from another authority.
**Which Ajman mainland license and legal form?** The licence follows your activity. For trading in goods, see our Ajman mainland commercial licence page; for consultancy and other skilled services, see the Ajman mainland professional licence; for manufacturing, see the Ajman mainland industrial licence. Most foreign investors choose a limited liability company (LLC), which can have one owner and does not need a local service agent. A sole establishment owned by a non-UAE national, or a civil company with non-GCC partners for professional work, must appoint a UAE national local service agent, who holds no shares. If you already own a company abroad or in another emirate, an Ajman branch office may suit you better than a new company.
**Premises.** Every Ajman mainland licence needs a lease for premises in Ajman, attested by the Ajman Municipality and Planning Department (Tasdeeq), not Dubai's Ejari. Depending on the activity, this can be an office, shop, warehouse or an approved shared or flexi desk. Residential addresses are not accepted. If you don't have premises yet, we can arrange flexi-desk or office space in Ajman. The type of premises also affects how many visas the company can apply for.
**Mainland or free zone?** Mainland is not always the right choice for business setup in Ajman, UAE. If you work alone, mainly serve clients outside the UAE, or want to avoid renting premises, an Ajman free zone company may suit you better. We explain the trade-offs before you decide.
**After setup.** A new licence is valid for one year. At renewal, Ajman DED allows a term of one to four years if the renewal conditions are met. The company must also register for UAE corporate tax and keep its lease and licence current. Our Ajman trade licence renewal service covers the yearly steps.
Your cost depends on the activity, legal form, type and size of premises, number of visas, licence term and any external approvals. Contact us on WhatsApp or live chat for a quote based on your plan.
What's Included
- Advice on activity, legal form and whether mainland or free zone suits you
- Check that your activity allows 100% foreign ownership and whether it needs external approvals
- Trade name reservation with Ajman DED
- ICP security approval application for foreign owners
- External approvals where your activity needs them (we prepare and submit; the authority decides)
- Memorandum of Association drafting, Arabic translation and notarisation (in person or by video call where Ajman DED allows)
- Help finding premises and lease attestation with the Ajman Municipality
- Licence application and collection, with Chamber of Commerce membership certificate
- Local service agent arrangement where the legal form requires one
- Immigration establishment card and MOHRE registration
- Owner (partner/investor) residence visa: entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID
- Introduction to banks and support with the account opening file
Requirements / Prerequisites
- A business activity that Ajman DED licenses, ideally checked against the strategic-impact restrictions before you start
- At least one shareholder (individual or company)
- Security approval from ICP for foreign owners
- Premises in Ajman suitable for the activity, with a lease attested by the Ajman Municipality
- A trade name that follows Ajman DED naming rules (no misleading names, no well-known trademarks without the owner's consent, no names already registered)
- External authority approval for regulated activities (e.g. health, education, food)
- A UAE national local service agent only if you choose a sole establishment (non-UAE owner) or a civil company with non-GCC partners
Required Documents
- Passport copy of each shareholder and manager
- Emirates ID for UAE residents (visitors provide passport copy and entry stamp)
- Passport-size photo
- Proposed trade names (2-3 options) and the activity list
- Attested lease contract for Ajman premises
- Corporate shareholder: certificate of incorporation, memorandum/articles, board resolution and good-standing certificate, attested (UAE embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and translated into Arabic if issued abroad
- Power of attorney, if someone signs on your behalf
- Academic or professional certificates (attested) where the activity requires them
- No-objection letter from your current employer only if your situation requires it (we will tell you)
Our Process
- Consultation: activity, legal form, mainland or free zone, ownership check.
- Reserve the trade name with Ajman DED.
- Apply for ICP security approval for foreign owners.
- Obtain external approvals if the activity needs them.
- Secure premises and attest the lease with the Ajman Municipality.
- Draft, translate and notarise the Memorandum of Association.
- Pay government fees and receive the licence, Chamber membership certificate and signboard permit.
- Register the company with immigration (establishment card) and MOHRE.
- Apply for the owner's residence visa: entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID.
- Prepare the bank account application and register for corporate tax.
Pricing
Contact us on WhatsApp for a tailored quote for this service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreigner own 100% of an Ajman mainland company?
Yes, for most activities. Since June 2021 Ajman DED has allowed full foreign ownership for more than 1,000 commercial and industrial activities. A small group of "strategic impact" activities, such as banking, insurance and telecoms, still has restrictions. We check your activity before you apply.
What types of Ajman mainland license are there?
Ajman DED issues the licence according to your activity: a commercial licence for trading in goods, a professional licence for consultancy and skilled services, and an industrial licence for manufacturing. Activities in regulated sectors such as health, education or food also need approval from the relevant authority.
How much does business setup in Ajman mainland cost?
The cost is made up of Ajman DED licence and trade name fees, the Memorandum of Association and its notarisation, the rent and lease attestation for your premises, any external approvals, a local service agent if your legal form needs one, and visa costs for each person. The licence term also changes the total. Contact us on WhatsApp or live chat for a written quote based on your plan.
Do I need a UAE national sponsor or local service agent?
Not for an LLC. A local service agent is needed only if a non-UAE national owns a sole establishment, or if non-GCC partners form a civil company for professional work. The agent has no ownership in the business.
How long does business setup in Ajman mainland take?
Once the name, security approval, attested lease and notarised MOA are ready, Ajman DED issues the licence quickly. The total time depends mainly on the security approval, any external approvals your activity needs, and how quickly premises are arranged. We give you a realistic timeline after the first consultation.
Do I need an office? Can I use a flexi desk?
Yes, you need premises in Ajman with a lease attested by the Ajman Municipality. Depending on the activity, an approved shared or flexi desk may be accepted. Residential addresses are not.
Do I need to be in the UAE to set it up?
Not always. Ajman DED offers notarisation of company contracts by video call, and many steps can be done by power of attorney. You will need to be in the UAE for your residence visa medical test and Emirates ID biometrics.
Is there a minimum share capital?
Ajman DED does not publish a minimum. The capital must be enough for the company's purpose and is stated in the Memorandum of Association. Some regulated activities may set their own requirement.
Should I choose mainland or free zone for business setup in Ajman?
A mainland company can sell directly to customers anywhere in the UAE and must rent premises in Ajman. A free zone company is set up inside the zone, often with lighter office requirements, but has limits on trading directly with the UAE market. If most of your customers are in the UAE, mainland is usually the better fit.
What happens after the licence is issued?
You register the company with immigration and MOHRE, apply for visas, open a bank account, register for corporate tax, and renew the licence and lease every year (or for up to four years at renewal).