GENERAL
GETTING STARTED IN THE FREE ZONE
BUSINESS TYPES
DWC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES
- A completed form – Registration & Licensing Application (Dubai World Central LLC);
- Clear and valid passport copies (preferably in colour) of any individual listed as a Shareholder, Director, General Manager and Company Secretary in the application form;
- A notarized, attested and legalized copy of certificate of incorporation, valid certificate of good standing or trade licence (for foreign companies, should be notarized, attested and legalized) of any Shareholder that is a corporate entity;
- If the person handling the application and signing the declaration at the end of the Registration & Licensing Application form is not named as a Shareholder, Director, General Manager or Company Secretary in the application, then a notarised Power of Attorney or signed Board Resolution (if the Shareholder is a corporate entity) will be required from each Shareholder, confirming that the person handling the application is properly authorised to act on behalf of the Shareholders;
- 2 copies of the Memorandum of Association and the Articles of Association of the DWC-LLC on this site under Commercial Business, bearing the name of the company to be incorporated and signed by all Shareholders, noting their names, addresses and respective shareholding; and
- The applicable fee.
BRANCHES
- A completed form – Registration & Licensing Application (Branch);
- Either a copy of a signed Board Resolution OR a notarised Power of Attorney from the existing entity, confirming the intent to establish the Branch and nominating a representative to handle the filing;
- Notarized, attested and legalized Memorandum and Articles of Association or similar constitutional documents of the existing entity;
- Notarized, attested and legalized certificate of incorporation, certificate of good standing or valid trade licence of the existing entity; and
- The applicable fee.
LICENSES
- Commercial Licence – allows the holder to carry out specified commercial services including general trading and logistics services;
- Service Licence – allows the holder to carry out services specified in the Licence within the DWC Free Zone and elsewhere in the UAE;
- Industrial Licence – allows the holder to carry out specified light manufacturing activities; and
- Education Licence – allows the holder to carry out educational and social services, educational aid training, and educational consultancy services;
- Please refer to DWC Free Zone and Administration Rules and Regulations on this site under Commercial Business for a detailed description of these licences.
ACTIVITY TYPES
Different restrictions apply on different licence categories. Please refer to the DWC Free Zone and Administration Rules and Regulations for further details.
LEASES
Different restrictions apply on different licence categories. Please refer to the DWC Free Zone and Administration Rules and Regulations for further details.
OWNERSHIP CHANGES
- Branch – If the FZE is a Branch, generally a change of ownership at the parent company would not impact the Free Zone Branch registration and would not need to be notified to the Free Zone Administration Department. Only if a change in ownership triggered a change of name, registered office or a change in the business activities of the parent entity would this need to be notified. The form for such changes can be found on this site under Commercial Business.
- DWC-LLC – If the FZE is registered as a DWC-LLC, a change in ownership would affect the company’s Free Zone Register entry and the company’s corporate documentation. A change in ownership must be notified to the Free Zone Administration Department.
- A copy of the share sale/transfer agreement signed by the transferor and the transferee;
- A copy of a signed Board Resolution approving the sale/transfer and appointing the Company Secretary or other third party to handle the filing and processing of the share transfer with the Free Zone Administration Department;
- The original share certificate for the shares being transferred;
- 2 original copies of an Amendment to the Memorandum of Association and 2 copies of an Amendment to the Articles of Association reflecting the change of shareholding and signed by the transferee and the remaining shareholders;
- If the transferee is an individual, a copy of a valid passport of the transferee; if the transferee is a company, a certified/true copy of a valid trade licence or certificate of good standing; and
- The applicable fee.
In addition, if the Articles of Association of the DWC-LLC contain provisions regarding pre-emption rights (i.e. the right of an existing shareholder to have first refusal over the purchase/transfer of any shares), then the Board Resolution must also acknowledge whether the existing shareholders have agreed to exercise or waive these rights (evidenced by either a letter signed by all existing shareholders or a signed Shareholders Resolution).
COMPANY ACCOUNTS AND AUDITORS
CERTIFICATES AND ATTESTATION
REGISTERED OFFICE
LANGUAGE
FEES AND CHARGES
Payments can be made in cash or cheque at the Free Zone Administration counter or by bank transfer in local currency to the following account:
Bank Account Name: Dubai Aviation City Corporation
Bank Name & Address: Dubai Islamic Bank, Main Branch, Dubai, UAE
IBAN Number: AE330240001520011195201
Account Number: 001 - 520 - 0111952 - 01
Swift Code: DUIBAEADXXX
According to the law, proceedings from the 'Knowledge Dirham' fee shall be deposited in a special local bank account in the name of Dubai Executive Council. The Council, as per the law, shall allocate an annual budget to support social and cultural development initiatives based on the proceedings.
SETTING UP A P.O. BOX
EMPLOYMENT
RULES & REGULATION