Licensing

1. Is it possible to establish a limited liability company for several professional activities?
No, a limited liability companies is restricted to trading and industrial activities, and civil business companies are established for practicing professional activities.

2. What is the validity period of the licence?
Minimum validity period for a license is one year from the date of inssuance, and it is renewable. A license may be issued or renewed for a maximum period of four years.

3. What are the licenses which require a local services agent?
All licenses of professional activities for individual establishments or companies which are not owned or subscribed to by a UAE national or owned 100% by other GCCC nationals require a local services agent.

4. What is the number of activities allowed to be registered in one single license?
A license may include a number of related activities which shall not exceed ten activities.

5. How long is an initial approval valid for?
An initial approval will be valid for a period of 6 months from the date of issuance, and it can be renewed ten days prior to the date of expiry.

6. Is it possible to amend the type of activity or trade name in an initial approval?
Yes, this can be done against payment of approval fees again.

7. Is it required to register a tradename in order to apply for an initial approval?
No, a tradename may be reserved for a one year period and is renewable against payment of due fees.

8. In case of obtaining an approval from other government authorities for any suspended activity, is it possible to obtain the Department's approval for issuing a licence for such an activity?
Yes, approval for the license can be granted.

9. What are the requirements of a bank certificate confirming deposit of the capital?
A certificate is required to be issued in the name of the establishment or company under formation by one of the banks operating in the UAE confirming deposit of the capital.

10. What are the requirements of appointing an auditor for a limited liability company?
A limited liability company must have an auditor, who is accredited in the U.A.E., and the auditor should be appointed by the general assembly.

11. After obtaining an initial approval, do I have the right to proceed with carrying out of the activity?
Yes, you may go ahead.

12. Can my minor son, who is under 18 years of age, become my partner in a limited liability company?
No

13. Is it required to lease a premises to operate an activity, or is it possible to carry out such an activity from a living accommodation? Are there any specific requirements or conditions governing the premises such as space or location?
A separate premise is required to operate the activity.

14. How long can a trade name be reserved?


15. What is the fees payable for reserving a tradename?


16. What are the duties and obligations of a local services agent of a professional license, or a local sponsor of a foreign company’s branch?


17. What professional licenses do not require a local services agent or local sponsor for licenses held by individuals / companies who are not from the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCCC)?


18. As a physician who is not a GCCC national, do I have the right to apply for a license for a sole establishment to operate as a “clinic”, and to appoint a local services agent, or to establish a civil business company in partnership with a United Arab Emirates national?


19. Can a Jebel Ali free zone based company open a branch in the Emirate of Dubai?


20. Can a foreign company’s branch existing in Jebel Ali Free Zone open a branch in the Emirate of Dubai?


21. What is the minimum number of partners in a private shareholding company?
Three

22. What is the minimum capital required for establishing a limited liability company, and how can one prove availability of the required capital?
The minimum share capital is AED 300,000/-

23. What is the minimum capital required for establishing a sole establishment?


24. What is the method of payment of fees due for a license renewal for a period of more than one year?


25. Is it required to be a resident of the United Arab Emirates in case of being an owner of a sole establishment or partner in a license?


26. What are the requirements for opening a branch of a limited liability company existing in Abu Dhabi with a capital of Dhs. 150,000 (One Hundred & Fifty Thousand Dirhams)?


27. Can a limited liability company be changed into a sole establishment?
No

28. Is it possible to open a branch for an establishment existing in another Emirate?
Yes

29. Can a non-UAE national obtain a license without a partner or local services agentl?
No

30. In case where there is a trade name registered in another Emirate, is it possible to maintain or use the same name in the Emirate of Dubai?


31. What are the fines levied against a delay in a license renewal?


32. Can a professional activity be integrated with a trading activity in the same license?
No

33. Can a GCCC national obtain an individual trade license?


34. Can a GCCC national enter into a partnership with a person who is not a UAE national?


35. What is the initial approval fee?


Cancellations

1. Are cancellation procedures different for a company which has already commenced its activities and a company which has not yet commenced its activities?


2. Is it possible to appoint a liquidator licensed in another Emirate?


3. Can a company's Board of Directors resolution concerning the cancellation be attested in another Emirate?


4. What are the documents required to be presented by a liquidator?


5. Is it possible to appoint a liquidator whose license and registration certificate issued by the Ministry are not renewed?


6. What is the fees payable against cancellation certificates?


7. Does such fee for the cancellation of certificates constitute the total amount payable for cancellation?


8. For how long shall a notice be published in the official newspapers?


9. Which party shall publish the notice - the Department or the company?


10. Can the notice be published in a local English language or other language newspapers?


11. What are the procedures involved in cancellation of all kinds of establishments?


12. Will the delay fines be cancelled upon cancellation?


13. What are the procedures involved in cancellation of a foreign company’s branch which may or may not be registered with the Ministry of Economy & Commerce and will the same procedure also apply to a Gulf Company branch?


14. What are the procedures involved in cancellation of a company’s branch existing in another Emirate?


15. Can a trade name be reserved after a license’s cancellation?


16. Will cancellation fees be paid in lumpsum?