Can a GCC national act as a local sponsor of the UAE LLC company?

In order to establish an LLC company in the UAE mainland, it shall include an Emirati partner whose share shall not be less than 51% of the company's capital.

Regardless of that, you may establish a free zone company with 100% of the foreign ownership.

Dear Questioner,

It depends on how many shareholders the company will have and depends on there nationality.

For example, your friend who is a GCC national can own 100% of the company or can own a part of the company if the other shareholder is also a GCC national.

If the other shareholder is not a GCC national, then your friend cannot be a partner with 51% in the same company.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you.

Best regards,

Raluca Gatina.

No. A Bahraini Citizen cannot act as your local sponsor in the UAE.

The Bahraini citizen has a waiver - as a GCC national - from needing any sponsorship for himself if he wants to do business in the UAE. However, he is not to be considered as a Sponsor to anyone else.

If you are going to be a partner - owning shares - in the LLC Company to be established in Abu Dhabi, then the Bahraini national cannot act as the Sponsor.

It is mandatory to have a UAE Citizen who will own at least 51% of the company shares, even if you will own only 1% of the company shares.