Change of ownership in a company in the UAE

Changing the owner of a company in the UAE is a complex process that requires deep knowledge of local legislation and consideration of all its features. When changing the owner of a company, it is not enough to simply transfer the rights - it is important to take into account various legal and tax aspects such as compliance with corporate requirements, confirmation of licenses, checking accounting and tax obligations. Mistakes can lead to significant fines or even license revocation. Specialists of the international law firm Antwort Law offer comprehensive support at every stage, which guarantees compliance with all legal requirements of this country.

Main stages of changing the owner

1) Initial consultation and analysis of the current structure of the company

We start with an individual consultation on all issues of interest related to the change of owner, during which we evaluate the structure of the company, its obligations and business model. We will carefully study your request, answer any questions, and will be able to explain to you certain nuances in this process, such as, for example:

A change of owner can affect the tax obligations of the company. We will take into account possible changes in tax payments and advise on how to optimize the structure to minimize taxation.

Term: 1-2 business days after the client's request.

2) Due Diligence

Before performing any legal actions for our clients, we conduct a comprehensive due diligence of the company to ensure that there are no risks for the company and the possibility of applying the developed strategy for changing the owner.

Term: 5-7 business days.

3) Preparation of documents and agreement on the terms of the transaction

We help the parties prepare and agree on all the necessary documents such as a share purchase agreement or stake, an agreement on the transfer of obligations, and others depending on the case.

For example, for mainland companies (Mainland), a local sponsor or agent is often required, and local rules must be followed. In the case of companies in free economic zones, it is important to clarify the specifics of each region, as the conditions and requirements may vary.

Term: 3-5 business days.

4) Registration of changes with government authorities

Changing the owner of a company in the UAE requires registration of changes with government authorities and the relevant jurisdiction. We provide full support when submitting documents to the Department of Economic Development (DED) for mainland companies or to the administration of the relevant free zone for Free Zone companies.

Term: from 7 to 14 working days, depending on the requirements of a specific zone or department.

5) Updating information in the bank and further support

After completing the registration of the new owner, it is necessary to update the information in the banks where the company is serviced. We take on all communication with the bank to make changes and provide new banking powers.

Term: 3-5 working days, depending on the bank's policy.

After-sales support

We provide after-sales support to our clients and are ready to provide legal support and advice on all emerging issues even after the completion of the transaction to change the owner. This ensures that in the event of new legal or tax issues, you will receive prompt assistance from our team of specialists.

Why choose Antwort Law lawyers?

We provide a full range of services to support the change of ownership in the UAE and take into account all aspects, from legal analysis of the company to the conclusion of the transaction. Our lawyers have many years of experience and deep knowledge of local legislation, which allows us to offer individual solutions for companies of any size.

Advantages of working with us:

• Deep expertise in the field of UAE corporate law - our lawyers regularly monitor changes in legislation and know all the intricacies of local regulations.
• Individual approach - each transaction has its own characteristics, and we develop a solution that perfectly meets your requirements.
• Transparency and trust - we explain each stage of support to the client in detail, coordinating all steps and guaranteeing complete transparency of the process.

If you are planning a change of ownership in a company in the UAE, contact Antwort Law. We will provide professional legal support that will minimize risks and help you go through the process with maximum efficiency. Our experts are ready to answer all your questions and develop an action plan that takes into account your goals and compliance with all legal requirements.

Lidia Ivanova

International lawyer
Antwort Law