Incorporation Practice Guide – Comparator Table

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Comparator Table

Jurisdiction

Regulator

Available Activities/Licenses

Minimum Share Capital Requirements

Approximate Timing of Establishment Process

Registration and Licensing Fees

Office Space Options/Rental Amounts

UAE Mainland

A mainland company must be registered with one of the UAE Departments of Economic Development (DEDs).

In the UAE, there are six types of licences: industrial, commercial, professional, tourism, agricultural and occupational. There are more than 2000 business activities to choose from in the UAE.

In the UAE, an investor can select one of these legal forms:

  • general partnership;

  • limited partnership;

  • limited liability company (LLC);

  • public joint stock company (PJSC);

  • private joint stock company (PrJSC);

  • civil company;

  • local company branch;

  • GCC company branch;

  • foreign company branch;

  • Representative office;

  • free zone company branch;

  • sole establishment; or

  • holding companies.

The general rule is that there is not a minimum share capital requirements.

Exceptions:

  • For a PrJSC a minimum capital requirement of AED 5,000,000.

  • For a PJSC a minimum capital of AED 30,000,000 is required.

In practice an approximate period between 20 to 30 business days is needed for most legal forms.

However, the incorporation process period might vary depending on getting approvals from other government authorities.