Dubai Construction Company: Mainland LLC + RERA in 45 Days
A UK construction firm bidding on Dubai government projects needed a Mainland LLC, contractor classification, and engineer / labour visa scaling. Set up Mainland LLC + DET contractor license + RERA in 45 days.
UK Construction Group, GBP 25M Annual Revenue
A UK construction company specializing in commercial fit-outs and interior construction, 18 years operating, GBP 25M annual revenue. Targeting Dubai government project tenders + Dubai 2040 master plan opportunities. Needed Mainland presence — Free Zone licenses don't qualify for Dubai government tenders.
Required: Mainland LLC (100% foreign ownership now allowed for construction sector), DET contractor license with classification (Grade A-E), 25-30 engineer / supervisor visas, and RERA approval for any property-related work. Engineer credentials needed legalisation.
Government Tendering + Regulated Workforce
Mainland LLC is mandatory for government tenders. Foreign ownership was opened up post-2021 — but engineer professional registration with Dubai Municipality + Engineer Society + Civil Defense pre-approvals are still demanding. RERA approval required for any work on residential property. Plus 25-30 visa scaling immediately.
- Mainland LLC mandatory (Free Zone excluded)
- Engineer licenses + UAE Engineer Society membership
- 25-30 employee visas immediately
- RERA approval for residential property work
- Bank with construction project finance
What We Recommended — and Why
Jurisdiction: Dubai Mainland LLC
DET Dubai LLC with 100% foreign ownership (allowed since 2021 for construction). Contractor License Grade C with path to Grade A as track record builds.
Establishing Business on MainlandLicense: Contractor + RERA
DET Contractor License with Grade C classification. RERA approval for residential property work. Civil Defense + Dubai Municipality approvals.
Trade LicenseVisas: 1 Investor + 30 Employees
Investor Visa for Operations Director. 30 employee visas: 8 engineers (licensed), 12 supervisors, 10 site staff. Engineer Society membership for credentialed staff.
UAE Employment VisaBanking: HSBC Project Finance
HSBC for project finance + bank guarantees (mandatory for government tenders, 5-10% of bid value). USD/GBP/AED multi-currency. Performance bonds.
Corporate Bank AccountFrom First Call to Fully Operational
- Day 0 Discovery + UK parent corporate package
- Day 1-10 DET Mainland LLC application + 100% foreign ownership approval
- Day 15 License + MOA + contractor classification
- Day 18-30 Engineer credentials legalisation + DM/CD approvals
- Day 30-42 25 employee visas + Operations Director Investor Visa
- Day 45 HSBC project finance + first tender submitted
What the Client Received
Deliverables
- Dubai Mainland LLC, 100% foreign-owned
- Contractor License Grade C
- RERA approval for residential work
- Engineer Society membership x 8
- 31 UAE residency visas
- HSBC project finance + bank guarantees
Mainland setup with foreign ownership was the unlock. Engineer credentialing was the longest part — needed UK degrees legalised + UAE Engineer Society membership. Insight ran 4 parallel workstreams. We had our first tender in by week 7.
— R. P. — UK Construction Director (NDA)
Frequently Asked Questions
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