Q: Dear Lawyers, Can a foreigner fully own a document clearance company in the UAE? If so, what conditions must be met to avoid requiring a local sponsor?

Q: In accordance with the new FDI law in UAE - Dubai, what is the (steps/cost/requirements/time frame) to remove the 51% shares local sponsor holder, and make it 100% foreign ownership? Additional info for accurate answer: - The foreign owner and the foreign manager are out of the UAE, and the only physical - available person is the PRO person. - The local sponsor is a company with 4 partners, So, I wonder if ALL of the partners will be required to attend physically for the procedure of the 100% foreign ownership transfer, or only the PRO and the POA person will be enough? - The concerned company is an LLC Japanese company for water equipment trading, so it will be under the UAE cabinet positive list, right?

Q: Under the amended UAE commercial companies law permitting 100% foreign ownership, does this also remove the requirement to appoint a UAE national as the local service agent? If not, what is the role of an agent? This would be for a mainland industrial license to manufacture in Dubai. Thank you!

Most entrepreneurs who have ideas for a startup seeking to implement it may face some difficulties in deciding the ideal location, activity, type of license, fees, taxes, among many others. Here are four reasons why the UAE’s thriving start-up scene is the right choice for your business.

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 shareholder disputes in the UAE and pre-emptive measure to be considered. This is from the legal podcast of lawyer Ludmila Yamalova, the founder of Lawgical with LYLAW.

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.

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.