Dubai Mainland Industrial License

A Dubai mainland industrial license from DET covers manufacturing, assembly and processing from a factory or workshop in Dubai. Many factories also register with the federal Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT).

Description

A Dubai mainland industrial license is issued by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET, formerly DED) for manufacturing, processing, assembly and packing carried out from premises on the Dubai mainland. It suits producers who want to sell finished goods directly to customers across the UAE.

**The licence follows the premises.** DET first gives an initial approval for the trade name, activities and ownership. You then lease a factory, workshop or warehouse whose permitted use matches your activity and register the tenancy contract in Ejari. Depending on what you make, the facility usually needs Dubai Civil Defence fire-safety approval, Dubai Municipality building, health or environmental approval, and power from DEWA sized for your machinery. Food, chemicals, cosmetics, medical products and recycling often need extra approvals before DET issues the final licence.

**Federal registration with MoIAT.** The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology registers factories that already hold a local industrial licence or initial approval. Its Industrial Registry certificate is valid for one year and renewed online. Its Industrial Production Licence is what allows a factory to apply for customs duty exemption on machinery, equipment, spare parts and materials used directly in production. MoIAT's published conditions include total capital of at least AED 250,000 and at least 10 employees. Each input is then registered with MoIAT before the exemption applies, so the exemption is not automatic with the DET licence.

**Ownership.** Most industrial activities on the Dubai mainland can be 100% foreign owned, usually as a limited liability company (LLC). A few strategic activities keep ownership conditions, which DET confirms at initial approval.

**Mainland or a free zone?** Industrial activity inside JAFZA or Dubai South is licensed by those authorities, not DET, and can suit export-led or port-linked operations. Since 2025, Dubai Executive Council Resolution No. 11 of 2025 also gives free zone companies DET routes to operate on the mainland. A mainland licence remains the direct route if your customers are mainly in the UAE. Our Dubai mainland company formation page covers the wider choice.

**Timeline and cost.** The time depends mostly on finding suitable premises, fit-out and the approvals your activity needs. MoIAT states 3 working days for the Industrial Registry once an application is complete. The cost is made of DET fees, premises rent, approval and inspection fees, MoIAT registration and visas, and it changes with the activity, the size of the facility and the workforce. Message us on WhatsApp or live chat for a written quote.

**Workforce.** Once licensed, the company can sponsor employment visas for production staff through MOHRE and GDRFA Dubai, the Dubai investor visa for owners, and then open a corporate bank account.

What's Included

Activity review and a mainland or free zone comparison for your production plans
Trade name reservation and DET initial approval
Guidance on premises whose permitted use matches your activity, and Ejari registration
Coordination of Civil Defence, Dubai Municipality and other activity approvals
Memorandum of association for an LLC
Final DET industrial licence application
MoIAT Industrial Registry application and annual renewal
MoIAT Industrial Production Licence application and inspection preparation, where eligible
Registration of production inputs with MoIAT for customs duty exemption, where eligible
Dubai Customs client code, Dubai Chamber registration and establishment card
Visa applications for owners and staff (number set in your quote)

Requirements / Prerequisites

At least one shareholder, a person or a company
An industrial activity on DET's list, with its ownership rule confirmed
A factory, workshop or warehouse on the Dubai mainland whose permitted use matches the activity
Premises that can meet Civil Defence, Dubai Municipality and any environmental or health requirements
For MoIAT's Industrial Production Licence and customs exemption: total capital of at least AED 250,000 and at least 10 employees

Required Documents

Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
UAE visa and Emirates ID copies for UAE residents
Two or three proposed trade names
Description of the activity and production process
Machinery and equipment list with power needs
Tenancy contract and Ejari certificate for the premises
Site layout and drawings requested by Civil Defence and Dubai Municipality
Approvals from activity regulators, where required
Memorandum of association (prepared during the process)
For a corporate shareholder: legalised and attested company documents and a board resolution
For MoIAT: DET initial approval or licence, incorporation documents and ID of the owner or manager

Our Process

Review the activity and decide between the Dubai mainland and an industrial free zone
Reserve the trade name and apply for DET initial approval
Lease suitable premises and register the tenancy contract in Ejari
Obtain Civil Defence, Dubai Municipality and other activity approvals
Sign the memorandum of association and submit the final DET application
Receive the DET industrial licence, register with Dubai Chamber and get the establishment card
Apply for the MoIAT Industrial Registry (renewed every year)
If eligible, apply for the MoIAT Industrial Production Licence and host the inspection
Register production inputs with MoIAT and obtain the Dubai Customs client code
Apply for visas and a corporate bank account

Pricing

Contact via WhatsApp

Frequently Asked Questions

Who issues an industrial license in Dubai?

On the Dubai mainland, DET issues it. Inside a free zone such as JAFZA or Dubai South, that zone's authority does. MoIAT does not replace the local licence; it registers factories that already hold one.

Do I need to register with MoIAT?

MoIAT registration gives a factory access to federal industrial services, and its Industrial Production Licence is required to apply for customs duty exemption on production inputs. MoIAT lists at least AED 250,000 in total capital and at least 10 employees as conditions.

Is customs duty exemption automatic?

No. A factory must hold MoIAT's Industrial Production Licence and register each machine, part or material with MoIAT before the exemption applies.

Do I need a factory or warehouse?

Yes. The licence is tied to premises whose permitted use matches your activity, registered in Ejari. Civil Defence and Dubai Municipality inspect the facility.

How long does a Dubai industrial license take?

There is no single official timeline. Premises, fit-out and approvals take the longest. MoIAT's Industrial Registry takes 3 working days once the application is complete. We give you a realistic plan after reviewing your activity.

Should I choose the mainland or a free zone for manufacturing?

Mainland suits selling directly to UAE customers. A free zone like JAFZA or Dubai South can suit export-led production near the port or airport. Since 2025, free zone companies also have DET routes to work on the mainland.

What does a Dubai industrial license cost?

It is made of DET fees, premises rent, approval and inspection fees, MoIAT registration and visas. It changes with the activity, facility size and workforce. Contact us for a written quote.