Foreign ownership compliance
Structuring compliant foreign ownership for investors and companies entering the UAE, covering mainland, free zone, and dual-license setups under current regulations.
What our clients face
Foreign investors entering the UAE
You are a foreign investor or company entering the UAE market and need to ensure your ownership structure complies with local legislation.
Navigating post-2020 ownership rules
This applies to businesses navigating the post-2020 foreign ownership regime, where 100% foreign ownership is available on mainland for most sectors but restrictions remain for strategic activities.
Choosing the right setup
You may also need clarity on free zone vs. mainland trade-offs, dual-license setups, or whether your specific activity still requires a local partner or service agent.
Our approach
Regulatory mapping
Assess your business activities against the Positive List and sector-specific restrictions for full foreign ownership eligibility.
Structuring options
Compare mainland (DED), free zone, local sponsor/agent arrangement, and dual-license setups to identify the best fit for your goals.
Corporate documentation
Prepare or amend memoranda of association, shareholder agreements, and licensing documents to reflect compliant ownership.
Authority filings
Coordinate submissions with DED, the relevant free zone authority, or the Ministry of Economy until final approval and updated license issuance.
Stages of work
Initial consultation
Understand your business activity, target jurisdiction, ownership goals, and investor nationality mix.
Regulatory analysis
Map applicable foreign ownership rules, Positive List eligibility for 100% mainland ownership, strategic sector restrictions, and free zone authority requirements.
Structuring recommendation
Deliver a comparison of available options with clear trade-offs for each regime.
Documentation
Draft or amend corporate documents aligned with the chosen structure.
Authority filings
Submit applications to the licensing authority, handle reviewer queries, and obtain the final compliant trade license.
Our case studies
Discuss
the Task
Speak to our team
Speak to our team. Tell us about your task –
we’ll help you with it in any jurisdiction.