The Emirate of Dubai is located on the Arabian Peninsula, in the south of the Persian Gulf. Among the seven emirates that make up the UAE, it is the most populated one and second largest after Abu Dhabi. Dubai has more than 20 free zones.
Dubai South Free Zone offers the possibility of registering onshore (free zone) companies in the Emirate of Dubai, which can operate both within and outside the UAE. Such companies are granted a licence (special authorization from the Emirate’s Authority) according to the type of activity that they will be engaged in. Establishing a free zone company implies the possibility of obtaining residence visas for shareholders / employees, as well as their families, which is an indisputable advantage.
Company registration in Dubai South Free Zone includes the following steps:
The UAE does not have public company registries that would contain details of shareholders or directors. Information about free zone companies can only be obtained at the request of a local court.
The register of shareholders and directors of the company is not accessible to third parties.
Upon registration the company and the Free Zone authority sign an office lease agreement; the address of such office is considered the official registered office address of the company.
DWC offers various office packages depending on the needs of clients in terms of type and number of licences, number of visas, the need for substance and placement in the Free Zone: from smart desk and smart office (a separate room or workstation in first-class business centres) to warehouses and land plots.
Companies are required to have a common seal.
The redomiciliation of companies either to or from the UAE is permitted.
The director can be an individual. There are no requirements as to the residence of director.
The minimum number of directors is 1, the maximum is 7.
Details of directors are not accessible to public.
The minimum number of members/shareholders in a company is 1, the maximum is 6. Both individuals and legal entities can be shareholders. There are no residence requirements.
DWC does not require a company to necessarily have a local shareholder in its structure.
Details of shareholders are not accessible to public.
The manager can be an individual, a UAE resident.
The maximum number of managers is 1; can be the same person as director.
Details of the manager are not accessible to public.
Despite that many jurisdictions consider creating a public register of beneficial owners, the UAE does not have one yet. This means that there is no open access to the beneficial ownership information. It is stored by a service provider, namely a company registration agent, trustees, lawyers, accountants and other professionals, subject to strict confidentiality. Information about the beneficial owner can only be disclosed to regulatory authorities (for example, during inspections for its availability) or by court order.
A company can only issue one class of shares of equal par value. Bearer shares are not permitted.
The capital can be denominated in UAE Dirhams (AED) only. The minimum capital is AED 300 000.
There is no requirement to provide a bank letter confirming the payment of share capital, in order to register a company in DWC.
Price15 800 USD
Including licence, rent of flexi-desk, stamp, and company registration. The cost of the package may vary depending on the number of shareholders, type of licence, and size of the office (the number of resident visas depends on the size of the office). The fees are stated for a company with a single shareholder and the possibility of obtaining 2 resident visas (minimum package). The fees also include a refundable deposit for e-channel in the amount of AED 5,000 (appr. USD 1370).
Price13 800 USD
Including licence, rent of flexi-desk, and company renewal. The fees are stated for a company with a single shareholder and the possibility of obtaining 2 resident visas (minimum package).
Price4 200 USD
Cost of one investor visa, including: payment of all government fees (Entry Permit, Medical & Emirates ID, Visa Stamping); preparation and submission of applications and necessary documentation; accompanying the applicant on the trip to the hospital and migration authority.
Price2 500 USD
Irrespective of the outcome of application
Price250 USD
DHL or TNT, at cost of a Courier Service
Compliance fee is payable in the cases of: renewal of a company, liquidation of a company, transfer out of a company, issue of a power of attorney to a new attorney, change of director / shareholder / BO (except the change to a nominee director / shareholder), signing of documents
Price350 USD
simple company structure with only 1 physical person
Price150 USD
additional compliance fee for legal entity in structure under GSL administration (per 1 entity)
Price100 USD
additional compliance fee for legal entity in structure NOT under GSL administration (per 1 entity)
Price450 USD
Price100 USD
