Open a Dubai Limited Liability Company

Limited liability companies are the most popular types of business entities registered by foreign investors in Dubai because this is the only option granting them maximum ownership. Dubai limited liability companies allow foreign citizens to own 49% of its shares, while 51% must be brought up by a local sponsor or partner. The incorporation procedure of a limited liability company in Dubai is quite simple requiring a few steps to be completed. Another advantage of the Dubai limited liability company is that it can be registered for any commercial purpose.

With a vast experience in company formation in Dubai, our local consultants can help foreign investors register limited liability companies in this Emirate. They can rely on us for the preparation and submission of the documents needed to register the limited liability company with the Dubai Companies Register.

Requirements to register a Dubai limited liability company

Beside the shareholding structure, there are other requirements to set up a limited liability company in Dubai. Among these, the company must have at least two shareholders and a maximum of 50. There are no minimum share capital requirements to register a limited liability company in Dubai, except for the sufficient capital test enabled by the Department of Economic Development (DED). In this case, DED decides if the capital subscribed by the founders is sufficient for the undertakings they intend. Another requirement for a Dubai limited liability company is the managerial ones. Under the Dubai Company Act, the company must have between one and five managers.

Our company registration agents in Dubai will offer you information about the new Commercial Code.

Steps to register a limited liability company in Dubai

There are five steps to follow when registering a limited liability company in Dubai. These are:

•          the reservation of the company with the Department of Economic Development,
•                   drafting and notarizing the company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association,
•                   submit the documents and business license application form with the Department of Economic Development,
•                   registration with the Dubai Commercial Register.

Once the company is incorporated, it must also register its employees with the Ministry of Labor and General Authority for Pension and Social Security.

We invite you to see our scheme on the advantages of a Dubai limited liability company:

The uses of a limited liability company in Dubai

The limited liability company is a very versatile business form, foreign investors being allowed to use it for various purposes. The Dubai limited liability company can take one of the following forms:

1.           that of an onshore private limited liability company used for commercial purposes within Dubai;
2.           that of an offshore company which is registered in Dubai for trading activities outside the Emirate;
3.           that of a public company – joint stock companies are also registered as limited liability companies in Dubai;
4.           that of a free zone company – the registration requirements of a free zone limited liability company depends on the free zone in which it is incorporated;
5.           that of a subsidiary company – foreign companies can set up subsidiaries under the form of Dubai limited liability companies.

Apart from these, shelf or ready-made companies in Dubai are usually registered as limited liability companies. The limited liability company can also be used for creating a joint venture in Dubai.

If you are interested in setting up a limited liability company and need assistance, you can rely on us for complete company registration services in Dubai.

The advantages of a Dubai limited liability company

Setting up a limited liability company in Dubai comes with various advantages, especially for foreign investors. Among these, we mention the following:

•           it has correspondents in most countries in the world, therefore it is a popular business form;
•           it offers access to all industries in Dubai and the UAE, for those interested in starting a business here;
•           any type of business license can be obtained by registering a limited liability company;
•           when setup in a Dubai free zone, the limited liability company will offer full ownership to a foreign investor;
•           there are no share capital requirements related to opening an onshore limited liability company;
•           it is easy to register and to open a local bank account for, however, a local agent must be appointed for the incorporation procedure.

Among the licenses which can be obtained with the help of a limited liability company in Dubai, the trading, the industrial and the commercial licenses are the most important. Dubai free zone limited liability companies can also obtain licenses related to the specific activities developed in that free zone.

If you want to open a company in Dubai and decide for a limited liability one, our local agents can help you set it up in mainland Dubai or any of its free zones.

Taxation of a limited liability company in Dubai

The Dubai limited liability company offers various tax advantages. For example, there are no corporate taxes imposed on Dubai companies registered in most industries, apart from the oil and petroleum ones. However, a recent change in the tax legislation introduced the value added tax, which is levied at a very low rate. The VAT in Dubai is 5%.

Apart from this tax, the Dubai limited liability company offers various advantages, among which the free repatriation of profits when established by foreign investors and falling under the UAE’s double tax treaties.

Should you have any questions related to the taxation of limited liability companies, our Dubai company formation advisors can answer them. We also offer accounting services to foreign investors owning limited liability companies in Dubai.

FAQ on the Dubai limited liability company

The limited liability company is one of the most usual business forms employed by both local and foreign investors in Dubai, however, there are many questions related to it, especially coming from foreign entrepreneurs. Below, our company registration agents in Dubai have answered some of these questions:

1.       What is the minimum number of shareholders for a limited liability company in Dubai? What about in a Dubai free zone?

The minimum number of shareholders for a limited liability company in Dubai is 2, while in a free zone a single shareholder is allowed.

2.       How much does it take to register a limited liability company in Dubai?

The registration of a Dubai limited liability company takes a few days to complete.

3.       Is it complicated to register a limited liability company if I am a foreigner?

No, the Dubai company formation of this type of company is quite simple, even if you are a foreigner.

4.       How much does it cost to register a limited liability company in Dubai?

The company registration fee of a limited liability company in Dubai depends on the industry you want to open it in and whether the company is set up in a free zone or not.

5.       Do I need the services of a local agent to register a limited liability company?

This requirement applies to foreign investors who want to open a limited liability company in Dubai. Our agents offer such services.

Before company registration, the applicants must also verify the fees related to all the steps of the procedure. For any information or support in opening a limited liability company, you can also contact our Dubai company incorporation agents.