About UAE

Comparison of Legal Structures

Company Type Sole Proprietorship General Partnership Limited Liability Company Branch Office Public Joint Stock Company Private Shareholding Company Free Zones Offshore Companies
Ownership Single Individual 2 or more individuals 3 to 50 Shareholders Parent Company More than 10 3 up to 50 (including corporate shareholders) Minimum one. Maximum varies from Free Zone to Free Zone 1 or more Shareholders
Ownership for Foreigner 0% for Trading and up to 100% for Service 0% for Trading and up to 100% for Service Maximum 49%. 100% Maximum 49%. Maximum 49%. 100% 100%
Minimum Capital No Minimum Capital No Minimum Capital AED 300,000 in Dubai AED 150,000 in Other Emirates No Capital Requirement AED 10 million AED 40 million for banking AED 25 million for insurance AED 2 million Varies with Free Zone No Minimum Capital Requirement Stipulated
Activity Services and Trading Services and Trading Trading Service or Manufacturing Services and Representative offices Trading, Service or Manufacturing Trading, Service or Manufacturing Trading Service or Manufacturing Any activity permitted by law except Banking and Insurance
Area of Operations In the Emirate where registered In the Emirate where registered In the Emirate where registered In the Emirate where registered In the Emirate where registered In the Emirate where registered Within the Free Zone Can transact with other than UAE Companies
Liability Unlimited Unlimited Limited Unlimited Limited Limited Depends on the form of organization Limited
Audit Not required Not required Required Required to be submitted to Ministry of Economy Required Required Depends on the form of organization Required but not be submitted to the authorities
Taxes No Corporate or personal tax in UAE No Corporate or personal tax in UAE No Corporate or personal tax in UAE No Corporate or personal tax in UAE Taxes for Banking, Insurance, Oil & Gas Taxes for Banking, Insurance, Oil & Gas No Taxes applicable due to exemption No Corporate or personal tax in UAE
UAE Visas Available depending on Activity and Office Available depending on Activity and Office Available depending on Activity and Office Available depending on Activity and Office Available depending on Activity and Office Available depending on Activity and Office Available depending on Activity and Office Available depending on Activity and Office
Repatriation of Investment / Profit No Restriction No Restriction No Restriction No Restriction No Restriction No Restriction No Restriction No Restriction
Office Premises Required Rent depends on location and size of premise Required Rent depends on location and size of premise Required Rent depends on location and size of premise Required Rent depends on location and size of premise Required Required Rent depends on location and size of premise Premises Required Not Required. Office of the registered agent can be used as registered office.

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