James Thornton 
No. Since the 2021 reform, most UAE mainland businesses no longer require a local sponsor or a 51% UAE national partner. The Local Service Agent requirement has also been removed in most activities.
The UAE’s Commercial Companies Law reform of 2021, extended by Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2025, allows foreign founders to hold 100% of most mainland businesses without a local sponsor.
The UAE issues four core mainland trade licence categories — commercial, professional, industrial, and tourism — plus parallel free zone tracks for e-commerce, freelance, and holding. The right type depends on what your business actually does.
UAE business licence costs in 2026 range from AED 4,888 for the cheapest free zone to AED 900,000+ for a regulated DIFC financial firm. Most foreign founders spend AED 18,500 to AED 50,000 in year one.
