Can a foreigner own 100% of an LLC in the UAE mainland?

For many mainland business activities, foreigners can now own 100% of a UAE LLC. This followed reforms to the UAE Commercial Companies Law that removed the long-standing requirement for a UAE national to hold the majority of the shares for a wide range of commercial and industrial activities. However, full foreign ownership is not automatic for every activity: certain strategic-impact sectors and some professional activities can still carry specific conditions, and the list of eligible activities is set and updated by each emirate's economic department, such as Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism. Free zones, separately, have always permitted full foreign ownership within their jurisdictions. Because eligibility depends on the exact activity code and emirate, you should confirm whether your chosen activity qualifies for full ownership before registering, rather than assuming. The official UAE government portal explains the ownership framework. For tailored confirmation or shareholder agreements, you can compare verified UAE legal professionals on LEXAI.