Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
3 available 3 • View allCan a foreign holding company own onshore business in Dubai?

3
Q: I am an expat who purchased a sole proprietorship training company in Dubai onshore. I would like it to be owned by a Holding company outside of the UAE.
Can the Holding own such a company or do I have to change its legal form to something else? And, would that form force me to have lower % ownership?
Thank you.


Apr 2, 2017
999
Changing the legal structure of an LLC to full foreign ownership

3
Q: Hello.
We have an LLC company where 49% is owned by an overseas company and 51% owned by a local partner.
We are not doing any transaction with this company and hence would like to make a representative company with an overseas company owning 100% of the shares.
Can we change an existing LLC in Dubai to a fully-owned entity limited only for marketing activities?


May 28, 2020
670
The applicability of UAE commercial companies law to a company with a civil license
0
Q: I have a professional company with a civil license from DED (not an LLC company). The civil partnership company is not defined in the commercial companies' law. It is defined as a "partnership" in the UAE civil transactions law.
Is UAE commercial companies law applicable to a company with a civil license?

Jun 7, 2020
361
Legal blog
6 available 6 • View allLegal Aspects of Company Incorporations in the UAE 5
Sometimes this seems very simple to incorporate a company in the UAE, however, investors must seek professional advice before taking this important business decision to avoid any future legal implications.
Nov 1, 2016
3648
An Overview of the Legal Framework for Entrepreneurs in the UAE 4
Over the years the UAE has become a centre of trade and commerce for the Middle East, thanks to its strategic location, excellent connectivity and extensive services to assist with all aspects of business. According to the World Bank's 2016 report, the UAE has ranked 31st in the global index of ease of doing business. This encourages more entrepreneurs to set up different kinds of business entities in the country.
Mar 14, 2017
6328
Importance of Corporate Governance and its Basic Principles 13
It is the first article in a series of articles written by the author to give a better insight to the readers about the corporate governance practices under the best practice principles and the UAE legal system through innovative suggestions of its implementation for your organisation. Next series will be on the UAE regulatory framework on corporate governance.
Jun 26, 2019
3107
Local Partner Share contribution in the UAE: What You Need to Know 65
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.
Jan 26, 2020
17688
The UAE Issues Rules for Full Foreign Ownership of Companies 0
In terms of existing companies which include Emirati partner and its activities have been availed for full ownership by Foreign investors Dubai Department of Economic Development stated that those companies will remain as is without change.
Jun 6, 2021
674
100% Foreign Ownership of Companies in the UAE 12
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.
Jun 13, 2021
3111
Laws & Regulations
1 available 1 • View allFederal Law No. (2) of 2015 On Commercial Companies 15
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.
Mar 25, 2015
29531

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Other answers by
554 554 answers •
View allWhat are the penalties for not returning from vacation after several months or a year? 0
Hello,
Good afternoon!
Can somebody tell me what happens if someone went on vacation and didn’t come back in one month?
What penalties will they face if they want to come back after 1 year or after some months and not to the same company?
Apr 15, 2025
28
What to do if the bank filed case on me using security cheques and executed travel ban? 0
The bank filed a case against me using security cheques and executed a travel ban from Dubai Courts.
Apr 15, 2025
13
How can I cancel my current visa immediately without serving notice? 0
Hello,
I got an offer letter from another company. I want the immediate cancellation paper before 20th April.
I don't have time to submit my notice period registration. What should I do?
Please give me the best advice!
Apr 4, 2025
85
During the notice period, is an employee allowed to take sick leave? 0
Hello,
During the notice period, is an employee allowed to take sick leave? If not, can the employer deduct the sick leave from the employee’s end-of-service benefits?
Additionally, what is the legal basis for this? Specifically, which law or ministerial decision governs this matter?
Apr 4, 2025
142
I booked a hotel stay for Eid through a travel agency and it was canceled two days before Eid. What to do? 0
I booked a hotel stay for Eid through a travel agency two weeks before Eid. The travel agency confirmed the booking on payment.
One day before Eid, the agency reached out, saying they had an issue with the supplier/hotel and the booking would be cancelled.
They offered alternative hotels that didn’t match the original property. I suggested some properties, and they couldn’t arrange them, or they asked for further payment, so I didn’t book anything through them.
What are my rights to a refund and compensation, as I had to book other arrangements separately at a significantly higher cost due to the last-minute prices?
It also caused significant emotional distress, less than 24 hours before the holiday. To which authority can a complaint be made in case of an unsatisfactory outcome?
Both the agency and the hotel are in Dubai.
Apr 4, 2025
70

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1546 1546 answers •
View allWhat countersuit can be filed against an employer for a false absconding case? 0
Hello,
What countersuit can I file against an employer who filed a false absconding case against an employee?
Apr 15, 2025
38
Is a bounced rent cheque case considered a criminal record for U.S. visa applications? 0
Hello,
My rent cheque was bounced, and my landlord filed a case against me in Sharjah Court. I received a fine of 2,000 AED, which was later reduced to 1,000 AED upon appeal.
Does this case count as a criminal conviction under UAE law, or was it handled as a civil matter?
If I apply for a U.S. visa, will I need to submit court records under the requirement for applicants with past convictions?
Apr 15, 2025
30
Can a person with a UAE criminal case travel to another GCC country on a work visa? 0
Hello,
If a person has a criminal case in the UAE, can he or she travel to any other GCC country on a work visa?
Apr 7, 2025
181
Can a Pakistani expat register a second marriage in the UAE without disclosing the first? 0
Hello,
I want to know the UAE rules regarding second marriage for expats. I am a Pakistani national and already have a wife back in my home country.
Now, I want to do a second marriage in the UAE with a Moroccan girl. Can you please let me know the procedure involved?
Can I get my marriage registered in the UAE? Is it mandatory to disclose the first marriage? I am on an employment visa in Dubai.
Apr 7, 2025
141
Missing business partner since 2003. What to do about his share in the LLC? 0
Hello,
I am a manager of an LLC company with 25% share. In February 2003, a partner joined the company with a 25% share.
After two months, he didn’t like the company and left. After two years, we did not know where he was. We just heard that he left to Tunisia before his visa expired.
What to do with his 25% share, please?
Apr 7, 2025
134

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703 703 answers •
View allWhat to do if the bank filed case on me using security cheques and executed travel ban? 0
The bank filed a case against me using security cheques and executed a travel ban from Dubai Courts.
Apr 15, 2025
13
Can I request reopening a civil case if the judgment was in my absence due to sending notices to the wrong address? 0
Lawyers misunderstood my question. Please read carefully and then guide me.
Case Type: Civil Case
Claim amount: 400,000
Paid: 65,000
Reason: Commercial agreement of supply
Emirate: Ajman
This case was registered in 2022. The judgment was in my absence, as notices were sent to the wrong address.
I was sent to jail. I made a down payment, bailed, and paid some more amount as installments. The total paid amount is AED 65000.
Now, again, an arrest warrant is issued as I did not pay the remaining 335,000 of the claim.
According to me, I had to pay only this amount because the executioner made a wrong claim, not as per the genuine claim.
So I want to reopen the case file.
I want the court to reinvestigate and start the case from scratch.
1) How can I make that request?
2) What documents are required?
3) Chances of reopening of case?
4) Cancellation of arrest warrant
Please guide me in detail, as I will do everything myself, as I cannot afford a lawyer right now.
Apr 4, 2025
75
If a bank has filed an execution cheques case through the Dubai Courts. Is a travel ban automatically applied? 0
A bank has filed an execution cheques case through the Dubai Courts due to nonpayment of a personal loan and credit card.
Is a travel ban automatically applied?
I looked on the Dubai Courts website, and it says the judge has issued a “reserved” order for my case.
Furthermore, when the bank emails, they threaten me with a travel ban. So I am assuming there is no travel ban issued (but I don’t know). I haven’t received any notice of a travel ban.
If there is a travel ban, how do I find out?
I have checked the Dubai police app, and there are no financial crimes against me.
Please advise if you know.
Apr 4, 2025
156
Can a person with a UAE criminal case travel to another GCC country on a work visa? 0
Hello,
If a person has a criminal case in the UAE, can he or she travel to any other GCC country on a work visa?
Apr 7, 2025
181
Can a Pakistani expat register a second marriage in the UAE without disclosing the first? 0
Hello,
I want to know the UAE rules regarding second marriage for expats. I am a Pakistani national and already have a wife back in my home country.
Now, I want to do a second marriage in the UAE with a Moroccan girl. Can you please let me know the procedure involved?
Can I get my marriage registered in the UAE? Is it mandatory to disclose the first marriage? I am on an employment visa in Dubai.
Apr 7, 2025
141

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173 173 answers •
View allقررت المحكمة ندب خبير وحددت أمانة الخبرة. في حالة تنازل المدعي عن الدعوى، هل يترتب عليه شيء؟ 0
قررت المحكمة ندب خبير وحددت أمانة الخبرة وحددت جلسة. في حالة عدم إيداع أمانة الخبرة بتاريخ آخر تم الإعلان الخبرة.
السؤال: في حالة تنازل المدعي عن الدعوى، هل يترتب عليه شيء؟
Mar 27, 2025
106
كيف يمكنني معرفة إذا كنت على قائمة المطلوبين في دول مجلس التعاون بسبب قضية مالية في الإمارات؟ 0
كيف يمكنني معرفة إذا كان تم إدراج اسمي على قائمة المطلوبين في دول مجلس التعاون بسبب وجود قضية مالية في الإمارات وتعاميم وأمر إلقاء قبض وإحضار لأنني بصدد السفر إلى دولة خليجية؟
Mar 26, 2025
124
How to penalize a landlord for cutting off AC despite an RDC ruling in the tenant's favor? 0
Hello,
My Dubai landlord (Omani) switched off the AC cooling in my rented flat after demanding a rent increase of over 50%. Even after winning the case at RDC and renewing Ejari through the court, he still has not restarted the AC cooling.
I have sent emails and filed a police complaint, but it's getting hotter again, and the AC has been off since last October.
Please suggest how to penalize him as he disrespects UAE laws.
Mar 23, 2025
69
Unpaid agency commission without a signed agreement. Can email proof hold up in court? 0
Hi dear all,
This question concerns the payment of the agency commission. The commission agreement form was not signed, but there is indirect evidence — email correspondence in which it is confirmed that the 2% amount is intended for the agent’s commission.
In the end, the client refuses to pay, although the deal was completed.
How realistic is it to receive the commission through a court decision? And how long would such a case typically take?
Mar 25, 2025
49
Can the real estate company ask for 10% rent increase if the RERA rental index does not allow it? 0
I am residing in Al Nahda 2 area, and the real estate company is asking me for a 10% rent increase from last year. However, checking RERA, there is no increase in the rates in my area as checked today.
Once I told my real estate the same, they said it had to be checked 3 months ago from now. Also, the area they have shown in their RERA is Al Nahda 1, while I reside in Al Nahda 2.
Mar 25, 2025
60
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