LLC Company Formation in Dubai

The process involved in opening an LLC Company is simple, however, it is mandatory to adhere to all legal frameworks and follow corporate guidelines established by the Government of the UAE before, during, and after the formation procedure. The steps required are as follows:

— Selection of Business Activity
Explore, analyze, and evaluate the diverse corporate activities listed by Dubai’s Department of Economic Development (DED). Finalize and select one that is desirable and well-aligned with the business preference.

— Registration of Trade Name
Abide by the guidelines and specific criteria when selecting a trade name. The use of religious references and offensive language is strictly prohibited. If personal names are used, the first and last names are required.

— Application of Initial Approval
Once the selected company name has been approved, an initial approval certificate from the Dubai Department of Economic Development is required. Upon approval, the company is eligible to be entered into the commercial registry.

— Preparation of MOA and LSA Agreement
To formalize the Limited Liability Company, one must prepare and sign a Memorandum of Association (MOA) formally translated and attested by a Notary Public. A Local Service Agent (LSA) or corporate agent agreement must be signed with a UAE national for a professional service license.

— Selection of Business Location
A business office location within the UAE is mandatory for LLC formation. A location must be selected, and the rental contract must be attested by Ejari.

— Acquisition of Trade License
Apply for the trade license by submitting the necessary documentation and acquiring government approvals from the Dubai Department of Economic Development. Upon successful verification of all documents, the trade license, certificate of incorporation, memorandum of association, and share certificates, are granted.

Once the trade license is obtained, business commencement will require the following key processes:
— Office set-up
— Registration of employees with the Ministry of Labour and the General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA)
— Processing of legal documents such as visas, labor cards, and ancillary legal documents
— Publication of the Memorandum of Association in the Bulletin of the Economy and Commerce Ministry
— Opening of bank account for trade operations

These step-by-step guidelines simplify the process of Limited Liability Company formation in Dubai, ensuring a seamless and efficient business setup.

The UAE is one of the world's leading destinations for establishing businesses, and Limited Liability Companies are among the most favorable corporate models due to their extensive benefits.
The main benefits of this corporate structure include:

— Flexibility: The corporate structure allows flexibility in the shareholder count, allowing up to 50 individuals to possess shares in the firm.

— Ownership: Foreign shareholders can enjoy 100% ownership of the corporation

— Affordability: This is one of the most cost-effective corporate models since it involves comparatively low application costs and minimal taxation.

— Limited liability security: The finances of business partners are separate from that of the business, hence, no shareholder is personally held responsible for losses incurred by the firm, and no personal assets can be seized under the LLC agreement. Shareholders are only liable to the extent of investment in the organization.

— Extensive choice of business activities: A diverse range of over 2000 legal business activities are available to select, listed by the Dubai Department of Economic Development. Upon successful application of documents, acquiring the trade license is relatively quick in the case of Limited Liability Companies.

— Freedom of business location: Corporate owners can select legal business locations as desired (including more than 50 free zones across the UAE). This allows effective management of resources to minimize overhead expenses.

— Multiple visa opportunities: Owners receive investor status and are eligible for an investor visa, which allows residence in the country for three years. Moreover, multiple visa applications are possible for family members, and employees.

LLC formation in Dubai requires accurate documentation submitted directly to the Department of Economic Development. The documentation required includes:
— Passport copy of investor
— Passport copy of the local sponsor
— No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the shareholder if the shareholder is employed in a UAE firm
— Emirates ID copy (optionally)
— Registration application form from the Department of Economic Development
— Attested tenancy contract
— Attested Memorandum of Association (MOA) from a public notary

The documents must be filled out accurately, signed and, if necessary, notarised. Based on the type of corporate activities, it is noteworthy that additional documents or details may be needed as required by the Department of Economic Development during the application process.