Hello DhanGuard Team,
My name is Ritesh Kulkarni, and I'm from India. I'm planning to establish a small trading business in the UAE and considering Ajman mainland because I want to operate directly in the local market.
I would like to understand the licensing process, office requirements and overall investment before starting the registration.
I have a few questions:
- Which business activities can foreign investors register under an Ajman mainland licence?
- Can an Indian investor own 100% of an Ajman mainland company?
- What documents and government approvals are required for registration?
- Is a physical office or tenancy contract necessary for obtaining the licence?
- What is the estimated setup cost, including the licence, establishment card and one or two residence visas?
I'd appreciate your guidance on the registration requirements and suitable licence options for my trading business.
Thanks,
Ritesh Kulkarni
India
Hi Ritesh,
I'm Hemant Katyal from DhanGuard. Ajman mainland company formation can be a suitable option for your trading business if you want to sell products and work directly with customers across the UAE mainland market.
1. Which Business Activities Can Be Registered?
Ajman mainland offers various commercial activities, including general trading and specific product trading activities. The exact activities must be approved by the licensing authority. Certain products, such as food, medical goods and chemicals, may require additional approvals.
2. Can an Indian Investor Own 100% of the Company?
Yes. Many mainland commercial activities allow 100% foreign ownership, including eligible trading activities. However, ownership conditions should be checked against the specific activity and applicable regulations before registration.
3. What Documents and Approvals Are Required?
Common documents include:
- Passport copies of shareholders and directors.
- UAE visa and Emirates ID copies, if applicable.
- Proposed trade name and selected business activities.
- Application and initial approval documents.
- Memorandum of Association (MOA), where required.
- Tenancy contract and premises details, where applicable.
Additional external approvals may be necessary depending on the products being traded.
4. Is a Physical Office or Tenancy Contract Required?
A mainland trading company generally needs an approved business address and a tenancy contract registered through the applicable Ajman system. The premises must meet the requirements for the selected trading activity. Confirm the office specifications before signing a lease.
5. What Is the Estimated Setup Cost?
For a small Ajman mainland trading company, the following are indicative planning ranges:
|
Cost Component |
Estimated Cost (AED) |
|
Trade licence and registration |
8,000–15,000 |
|
Establishment and immigration card |
1,500–3,000 |
|
Office rent |
8,000–18,000 annually |
|
One residence visa, including processing |
3,000–5,000 |
|
Two residence visas, including processing |
6,000–10,000 |
Note: These are estimated costs, not fixed quotations. Actual expenses depend on the trading activity, office size, visa eligibility, external approvals and current authority fees. Product-specific approvals, insurance and other administrative charges may be additional.
You can explore DhanGuard's business setup services in Ajman and mainland company formation services for further guidance.
Final Advice
For your trading business, first identify the exact products you plan to trade and the number of visas required. This will help determine the appropriate licence activities, premises and approval requirements before you invest.
Best regards,
Hemant Katyal
DhanGuard
