UAE services
Corporate Secretarial and Compliance Services in the UAE
A UAE company’s licence has to be renewed, its beneficial ownership register kept current, and its constitutional documents updated whenever ownership or activities change. We manage that ongoing administration so the licence stays in good standing and the company can pass a bank or auditor review without a scramble.
| Licence renewal | Annual, with the mainland economic department or the relevant free zone authority |
| UBO register | Mandatory register of Ultimate Beneficial Owners under UAE beneficial ownership regulations |
| Economic Substance Regulations | Standalone notifications and reports were phased out for financial years from 2023 onward (Cabinet Decision No. 98 of 2024); substance for Relevant Activities is now assessed through Corporate Tax registration |
What’s included
- Trade licence renewals and ongoing regulatory filings with the relevant authority
- Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) register maintenance and filings
- Memorandum of association amendments, share transfers and changes in shareholders or directors
- Guidance on economic substance requirements for Relevant Activities, now assessed through UAE Corporate Tax registration rather than standalone ESR filings
- Document attestation and legalisation for use with banks, government bodies or an overseas parent
Frequently asked questions
Does every UAE company need to renew its trade licence annually?
Yes. Both mainland and free zone licences require annual renewal with the issuing authority, and a lapsed licence can affect visas, banking and the company’s standing generally.
What is the UBO register and does my company need to file one?
UAE law requires companies to identify, record and file information on their Ultimate Beneficial Owners. Almost all UAE companies are in scope — we assess and prepare the filing as part of ongoing compliance.
What are Economic Substance Regulations and do they apply to my company?
UAE companies carrying on certain Relevant Activities used to notify, and in some cases report, annually under the Economic Substance Regulations. Standalone ESR filings were phased out for financial years from 2023 onward (Cabinet Decision No. 98 of 2024); substance is now assessed through UAE Corporate Tax registration instead. We review whether this affects your company as part of ongoing compliance.