Dubai Car Dealership: Mainland LLC + RTA Approval in 35 Days
A Korean used-car dealer wanted Dubai showroom and trade license for luxury car imports + GCC re-export. Mainland LLC + RTA dealer approval + showroom lease + 8 visas in 35 days.
Korean Used-Car Dealer Expanding to GCC
A Korean dealer importing luxury used cars (BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, Porsche) from EU + US for re-sale in Korea + Japan markets. 8 years operating, USD 5M annual turnover. Saw opportunity for Dubai → GCC re-export route: source EU/US cars, ship to Dubai, re-export to Saudi/Kuwait/Bahrain at margin.
Needed: Mainland LLC (Free Zone car trading restricted), RTA dealer approval (mandatory for car sales in Dubai), 200m² showroom + 1,000m² yard, 8 visas (sales + mechanics + admin).
RTA Approval + Showroom Compliance
RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) approval for car dealerships requires: physical showroom + yard + service bay, dealer principal credentials, registered mechanics, vehicle inspection capability. Plus customs clearance for EU/US imports, MOFA approval for some models, and Dubai Police clearance for ownership transfers.
- Mainland LLC (Free Zone car trading restricted)
- RTA dealer approval with showroom + yard
- Vehicle pre-inspection facility
- Customs codes for car imports
- Dealer principal credentials (Korean Trade Office)
What We Recommended — and Why
Jurisdiction: Dubai Mainland (DET)
Mainland LLC with 100% foreign ownership. Activity: Used Cars Trading + Spare Parts Trading + Auto Workshop. Located in Al Aweer Used Car Market for category clustering.
Mainland SetupLicense: Auto Dealer + RTA approval
DET license with Used Cars Trading. RTA dealer approval (2 weeks process). Showroom + yard inspection. Mechanic and inspector approval.
Trade LicenseVisas: 1 Investor + 7 Employees
Founder Investor Visa. 7 employees: 2 sales (Korean speakers), 2 mechanics, 1 inspector, 1 admin, 1 driver. Phased rollout.
UAE Investor VisaBanking: ADCB Trade Finance
ADCB corporate account with LC facility for EU/US car imports. USD/KRW/AED multi-currency. Vehicle title management.
Corporate Bank AccountFrom First Call to Fully Operational
- Day 0 Discovery + Al Aweer site visit
- Day 1-7 DET Mainland LLC + showroom lease
- Day 10-15 License + customs codes
- Day 18-25 RTA dealer approval + inspections
- Day 28-33 8 visas + ADCB compliance
- Day 35 First container of 8 cars landed
What the Client Received
Deliverables
- Dubai Mainland LLC, 100% foreign-owned
- RTA-approved dealer license
- Showroom + yard + workshop
- Customs codes for EU/US imports
- 8 UAE residency visas
- ADCB LC facility for car imports
RTA approval was 2 weeks of physical inspections — showroom, yard, mechanics, our inspection equipment. Insight had run RTA before so they knew exactly what RTA inspectors check. We landed our first container of 8 used BMWs on Day 35, exactly on schedule.
— M. K. — Korean Auto Dealer (NDA)
Frequently Asked Questions
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