Q: If the local partner/sponsor is not willing to remove himself from the company (LLC) and other partners what to change to another sponsor. What are the solutions could be?

Q: Hi, I have recently started setting up a business (LLC) in Dubai and I have got an MOA already from Dubai Court signed by my local sponsor and myself. At this time of writing, I have waited a month already for my office "legal" Ejari which the PRO said he would arrange for some amount of money but not having a physical office in fact. I am really confused now why it isn't done yet until now, which as far as I know should not take that long. In fact, I have met the local sponsor without the knowledge of his PRO, gave him AED 2,000 as per his demand and promised he could expedite the process and would do it by himself. Now, the local sponsor is no longer picking my calls. Question: can I amend my application with another sponsor? I have paid him AED 5,500 as sponsor's fee for 1 year, can I still take that money back?

Q: Hello, I am looking for the sponsor change of LLC company, may I know what are the procedures? The license will expire on 31st June.

Q: Hi, I have LLC company not renewed for two years. Six months back, I tried to renew and made a new MOA to change the sponsor by paying AED 10000 to old sponsor. Later I could not renew with DED as I did not have money. Now, I want to change the MOA with a new sponsor. This time, the same old company sponsor is demanding money. Please suggest as I am struggling for money and issues with the old sponsor.

Q: I am a partner in an LLC company in the UAE. I am in India now and do not wish to continue association with the company there. I have told my partner to take over the company and remove my name from the license, but my partner is insisting that I visit the UAE to transfer the business to his name. Kindly advise!

Q: Hi, We have created a business under LLC with a local partner. It's been two months into preparations and approximately one month ago, the partner backed out of the agreement and requested her money back of investment. Since the date of this request, she has gone on to ignore us and prior to this request it led to every action of ours has been ignored. She accepted the terms of backing out and her payment via a post-dated cheque yet the partner has continued to ignore us yet again. Now my wife and children's visa and health insurance rely on this and the current visa is due to run out. How do I confront this?

Q: I have a company in Ajman Freezone. We are 2 investors (myself and a business partner). I wish to remove myself as an investor and cancel my visa. The trade license expired recently and there is a small outstanding amount to be cleared as well. How can I proceed with the cancellation of my visa?

Q: Hi, I'm an auto garage owner in Al Quoz 4 and planning to relocate my garage business to Al Quoz 1. I have a local sponsor currently but planning to cancel him and make the new landlord my sponsor. Is it risky to make your landlord your sponsor & what are the things I have to ensure before taking this decision?

For entrepreneurs seeking to set up their business in the mainland jurisdiction of the UAE, this is a useful guide to know your rights and obligations.

The UAE government has announced important changes to the federal Commercial Companies Law, the most significant is related to the foreign ownership of mainland companies. This will grant foreign investors the full ownership of share capital in companies carrying out certain activities specified to that effect by the competent authorities. This means that foreign investors’ shares will not be limited anymore to a maximum of 49% like before, but can be up to 100% instead.

An interview-format article covering the topic of the new amendments to the laws in the UAE. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

The provisions of this Law apply to the commercial companies established in the UAE and the foreign companies that have established in the UAE a base to conduct any activity therein or established a branch or representative office. The Law abrogates Federal Law No. (8) of 1984 Concerning Commercial Companies.