Ajman Mainland Industrial License

An Ajman DED industrial licence for manufacturing, processing and assembly. We guide you through premises, local safety and environmental approvals, and federal registration with the Ministry of Industry.

Description

An Ajman Mainland Industrial License is issued by the Ajman Department of Economic Development (Ajman DED) to businesses that manufacture, process, assemble or package goods. It lets you run a production facility in Ajman and sell what you make across the UAE and abroad. If you will only buy and resell goods, an Ajman mainland commercial licence is the right licence instead.

**Ownership and legal form.** Since 2021, Ajman DED has allowed 100% foreign ownership for more than 1,000 commercial and industrial activities. Activities with a strategic impact are excluded, so we check your exact activity first. Most manufacturers set up as an LLC; our Ajman mainland company formation service explains the legal forms.

**Premises and local approvals.** An industrial licence needs real premises: a factory or warehouse unit in an area where your activity is permitted, with a lease authenticated by Ajman Municipality and Planning Department (Tasdeeq; Ajman doesn't use Dubai's Ejari). Before Ajman DED issues the licence, the facility usually needs approval from Ajman Municipality and a safety certificate from Ajman Civil Defence, and some activities also need environmental approval. These approvals depend on your layout, machinery and processes, so the unit generally has to be fitted out and ready for inspection.

**Federal registration.** Under Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2022, every manufacturing establishment in the UAE must register in the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) Industrial Registry and update its data every year. MoIAT's industrial production licence is what allows you to apply for customs duty exemption on machinery, equipment and raw materials, and supports origin certificates for exports. We handle this registration alongside your local licence.

**Timing.** It depends mostly on your premises. If you lease a unit that is already suitable, the paperwork can move within a few weeks. If the unit needs fit-out or the activity is higher risk, allow longer, because inspections only happen once the facility is ready.

**Mainland or free zone.** Mainland is a good fit if you plan to sell mainly inside the UAE. If most of your output will be exported, compare it with an industrial licence in Ajman Free Zone before you decide.

**After the licence.** You register with MOHRE to hire your production team and apply for employment visas for your workers. We can also help you open a corporate bank account, and our Ajman PRO retainer covers the ongoing government paperwork a factory generates, including the annual licence renewal.

**What affects the cost.** The activity, the size and location of the premises, which approvals apply, the number of workers' visas, and whether you import machinery. Message us on WhatsApp or live chat for a written quote based on your project.

What's Included

Check of your activity on Ajman DED's industrial list and foreign-ownership eligibility
Advice on legal form and on mainland vs free zone
Trade name reservation and initial approval with Ajman DED
Help finding a suitable factory or warehouse unit
Lease authentication with Ajman Municipality and Planning Department
Coordination of Ajman Municipality, Civil Defence and environmental approvals
MOA preparation (for LLCs)
Licence issuance and Chamber of Commerce membership
MoIAT Industrial Registry registration
Customs code registration
Establishment card and MOHRE registration
Owner's residence visa: entry permit, medical test, Emirates ID
Introduction to banks for a corporate account

Requirements / Prerequisites

An activity on Ajman DED's industrial list that is open to foreign ownership (if you are not a UAE national)
A factory or warehouse unit in a location approved for your activity
A facility layout and processes that can meet Civil Defence and environmental requirements
Details of your products, machinery and raw materials
A trade name that follows Ajman DED naming rules

Required Documents

Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
Passport-size photos
Emirates ID and visa copy (UAE residents)
For a corporate shareholder: certificate of incorporation, MOA/articles and board resolution, attested for use in the UAE
Authenticated lease for the factory or warehouse
Description of the manufacturing process and products
Facility layout plan
List of machinery and equipment
Feasibility study or project summary (if requested)
Power of attorney (if signing from outside the UAE)

Our Process

Consultation: confirm the activity, ownership rules, legal form and premises needs.
Reserve the trade name and obtain initial approval from Ajman DED.
ICP approval for foreign shareholders.
Lease the unit and authenticate the lease with Ajman Municipality.
Fit out the facility and submit layout and machinery details for Municipality, Civil Defence and (if needed) environmental approval.
Inspections and approvals.
Pay the fees; Ajman DED documents the MOA and issues the licence with Chamber membership.
Establishment card, MOHRE registration and customs code.
Register in MoIAT's Industrial Registry; apply for customs duty exemption on inputs if relevant.
Visas for owners and workers; bank account opening.

Pricing

Contact via WhatsApp

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreigner own 100% of a factory in Ajman mainland?

For most industrial activities, yes. Ajman DED opened more than 1,000 commercial and industrial activities to full foreign ownership in 2021. Activities with strategic impact are excluded, so we check your activity first.

Do I need a factory or warehouse before I get the licence?

Yes. You need a unit in a location approved for your activity, with a lease authenticated by Ajman Municipality. Approvals are given for that specific facility.

Which approvals does an industrial licence need?

Ajman DED, plus usually Ajman Municipality and Ajman Civil Defence, and environmental approval for some activities. You also register with the federal Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology.

Do I need to register with the Ministry of Industry (MoIAT)?

Yes. Manufacturing establishments must register in MoIAT's Industrial Registry and update their data every year. MoIAT's industrial production licence is needed to apply for customs duty exemption on machinery, equipment and raw materials.

How long does it take?

It depends mainly on the premises. With a ready unit, the paperwork can be done within a few weeks. If the unit needs fit-out or the activity is higher risk, it takes longer, because inspections happen only when the facility is ready.

Mainland or Ajman Free Zone for manufacturing?

Mainland suits companies selling mostly within the UAE. A free zone industrial licence can suit export-focused manufacturing. We can compare both for your products.

Can I export my products?

Yes. You need a customs code, and a certificate of origin for most export markets. MoIAT registration helps with the value-added certificate that supports origin certificates.