CORPORATE LEGAL SERVICES IN UAE

corporate law uae dubai
Your Trusted Legal Partner

Comprehensive Corporate Law Advisory Services

At Alitezan Advocates, we specialize in providing tailored corporate law advice that meets the unique needs of your business. Our experienced team guides clients through complex legal challenges, ensuring compliance and protecting your interests. Whether you need assistance with contracts, corporate governance, or regulatory matters, we are here to help your business thrive.

Company Formation & Corporate Structure Advisory

Start your business in the UAE with confidence by working with Alitezan Advocates. Our team of friendly and experienced corporate lawyers in Dubai is here to make the whole process simple and stress-free for you. We help you choose the right type of company, prepare all the paperwork, get your trade license, and make sure you follow all UAE rules and regulations. Whether you are starting a small local business, opening a free zone company, or expanding from another country, we guide you step by step so nothing is missed. We also help with contracts, shareholder agreements, and even setting up your business bank account. Our goal is to save you time, avoid mistakes, and give you peace of mind so you can focus on growing your business while we take care of the legal side.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Strategic Legal Support for Complex Business Deals

At AL ITEZAN Advocates & Legal Consultants LLC, our top corporate lawyers in Dubai specialize in managing complex mergers and acquisitions (M&A). We provide full legal support throughout the entire process—from early planning to post-deal integration.

What We Offer:

  • Thorough Due Diligence
    We carefully examine legal, financial, and operational aspects of the target company to identify risks and ensure informed decision-making.

  • Valuation & Deal Structuring
    Our team works closely with your financial advisors to evaluate the deal and design the most effective legal structure.

  • Contract Drafting & Negotiation
    We draft and review all necessary agreements, including share purchase agreements, asset transfers, and confidentiality clauses.

  • Regulatory Compliance
    We ensure your transaction complies with UAE laws and sector-specific regulations.

  • Post-Merger Integration Support
    After the deal is closed, we assist with restructuring, governance, and other integration matters to ensure a smooth transition.


Industries We Serve

Our lawyers have handled successful transactions across sectors such as:

  • Real Estate

  • Technology & Startups

  • Capital Markets & Finance

  • Healthcare

  • Retail & Hospitality

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore common questions about company formation

The UAE offers 6 main types of economic licenses:

  • Commercial license
  • Professional license
  • Industrial license
  • Tourism license
  • Occupational license
  • Agricultural license

Contact us for a free company setup consultation, email us at [email protected]

Depending on the legal structure and particular criteria of the chosen jurisdiction (mainland or free zone), the minimum capital requirement for establishing a business in Dubai and the UAE can vary. Certain licensing authorities may require paid up capital whereas, other licensing authorities do not require paid up capital.

Yes, foreigners can own 100% of a company in Dubai and the UAE. According to Federal Decree-Law no. (32) of 2021, foreign investors are allowed to own 100% of their companies in some sectors of the economy.

However, while certain industries and free zones allow 100% foreign ownership, there are still limitations in place for certain activities and licenses.

For an expert consultation to register your company, contact us via email at [email protected]m  today.

The process of business setup in Dubai and the UAE involves:

STEP 1: Expert Consultation

This stage typically involves consulting with Creation Business Consultants to provide accurate and up-to-date details on company formation in Dubai and the UAE.

STEP 2: Business Review and Strategy

This is where our Corporate Structuring team works with the business owner/investor to choose the business activity, company license, and shareholding structure.

STEP 3: Business Licence, Bank Account Opening and Obtaining Visas

Creation will assist the company owner to:

  • Select a preferred company name and secure the initial or preliminary approval.
  • Secure any third-party government approval, if applicable to the selected business activity.
  • Complete the company’s Memorandums and Articles of Association.
  • Finalise the company’s registered address – a physical office, retail shop, or warehouse.
  • Complete the business license and registration with the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai.
  • Register the company with the Immigration Department to secure an Establishment Card.
  • Register the company with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
  • Apply for the investor, employee, and dependents visas, etc. as required.
  • Complete all post-license processes such as Ultimate Beneficial Ownership registration.
  • Open a corporate bank account.

Please note that depending on the specific needs of your company, such as location, timeline, nature of business, budget, and staffing, we are here to help you choose between forming a company in one of the many free zones or in mainland Dubai and the UAE.

For expert advice on opening an entity or expanding your business to Dubai and the UAE, contact us on email [email protected] 

No, not all businesses require a local sponsor to setup a company in Dubai and the UAE. According to Federal Decree-Law no. (32) of 2021, also known as the Commercial Companies Law, Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai permits full ownership for foreign investors for many activities.

In general, freezone and certain mainland company structures that are basic can take about 3 days. However, for complex structures the timeframe for setting up a company in Dubai and the UAE can vary depending on several factors, including the type of company, ownership and structure, and business activities.

For an expert consultation contact us via email at [email protected] today.

The UAE imposed Corporate Tax on the profits of mainland businesses starting 1 June 2023. The Corporate Tax rates are:

  • 0% for taxable profits up to AED 375,000.
  • 9% for taxable income above AED 375,000.

For more information on tax services, visit  UAE Tax Consultancy Services  page or contact us by email at [email protected]

  1. Documents required to establish a Limited Liability Company in Dubai and the UAE include:

Identification documents of General Manager and Shareholder an (Passport, Entry Stamp/ Residence Visa, Emirates ID)

No Objection Certificate if General Manager and Shareholder have an existing UAE residence visa

Initial Approvals from the Department of Economy and Tourism and Ministry of Economy e.g., Trade Name Reservation Certificate

Business Activities

Ejari Certificate

Notarised Memorandum of Association

Documents required to establish a mainland branch in Dubai and the UAE include:

Parent Company Documents – Memorandum of Association, Articles of Association, Certificate of Incorporation, Trade License, and Certificate of Good Standing

Board Resolution from the Parent Company

Power of Attorney for the General Manager

2-year Audited Financial Statement 

Identification documents of Local Service Agent

Identification documents of the General Manager

Local Service Agreement

Initial Approvals from the Department of Economy and Tourism and Ministry of Economy e.g., Trade Name Reservation Certificate

Proof of address of the owners (Ejari Certificate)

Notarised tenancy contract for the business location

Completed and signed registration forms

  1. Documents required to establish a freezone company in Dubai and the UAE include:
  2. Corporate Shareholder: Parent Company Documents – Memorandum of Association, Articles of Association, Certificate of Incorporation, Trade License, and Certificate of Good Standing, Board Resolution, Power of Attorney
  3. Individual Shareholder:  Identification Documents of the Shareholder (Passport, Entry Stamp/ Residence Visa, Emirates ID)
  4. Identification documents of General Manager (Passport, Entry Stamp/ Residence Visa, Emirates ID)
  5. Business Activities
  6. Memorandum and Articles of Association

The cost of setting up a company in Dubai and the UAE will vary on many factors such as depending on your type of business, the different free zone business setup packages, license type, legal structure and ownership type, and business facilities you wish to rent. The cost can often range from USD $5,000 to USD $10,000.

Contact us by email at [email protected] for an expert consultation to discuss your UAE business setup requirements, process, and fees.

Once you establish and register your UAE company, you will need to consider how to stay compliant with the UAE company laws and requirements. Some areas to consider are:

  • Banking services
  • Obtaining visas
  • Wage Protection System (WPS)
  • Payroll services
  • Accounting & bookkeeping
  • VAT and Corporate Tax registration
  • Compliance with several legislations such as Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO), Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) and Anti-Money Laundering & Counter Finance Terrorism (AML / CFT)
  • Human Resources services

Yes, a director or shareholder of a UAE company can be non-resident of the UAE. The citizenship and nationality of shareholders and directors of businesses registered in the UAE free zones are not subject to any limitations. Certain activities call for the mandatory involvement of a local resident in the company as a shareholder for companies registered on the mainland. However, when it comes to corporate bank account opening, the director and authorised signatory of the company will require a UAE resident visa.

To explore your options for a UAE company formation, reach out on email [email protected].

In the UAE, if you choose not to renew your trade license and wish to close your company, you must follow the formal liquidation process set by your licensing authority: pass a shareholder resolution, appoint a liquidator (for LLCs), apply for deregistration, cancel all employee visas and labor cards, settle employee dues, obtain clearances from government bodies and service providers, publish a 45-day liquidation notice in a local newspaper (for mainland firms), prepare the final liquidation report, settle all outstanding liabilities, and finally submit all documents to receive the official license cancellation certificate.

To explore your options for a UAE company formation, reach out on email [email protected].

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