Corporate secretarial in the UAE

Corporate secretarial work in the UAE is the upkeep of the company’s formal record: the shareholder register, resolutions, changes of manager or shareholder, licence renewals and the registers kept for the authorities. One filing every owner should know about is the beneficial owner record. A legal person must submit the beneficial owner records and the register of partners or shareholders to the Registrar within 60 days of licensing and registration, as set out in the Dubai Development Authority’s decision; other authorities have their own versions of this.

Ask the firm which authority it files with (mainland department, a named free zone or both), whether renewals are included in the annual fee, how it reminds you of dates, and how it handles changes of ownership. Firms in this field are often corporate services providers that also provide registered addresses, so compare what the address includes. The UAE country guide covers the licence types, and the company formation page covers choosing a provider.

This service is offered by 64 firms, fewer than most others: 34 corporate services providers and 28 accounting firms and 2 law firms. The list has a high share of large networks (32 small, 20 medium and 12 large network). English is the working language of 44 of them and Arabic of 8. Real estate and e-commerce are the sectors named most. Start with Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman.

Firms offering corporate secretarial services in the UAE

Avyanco

Corporate services provider · Medium-sized firm

Dubai

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +7 more

Languages: English

View profile of Avyanco

Kisser Legal

Law firm · Boutique firm

Ras Al Khaimah

  • Company formation
  • Tax compliance
  • Bank account assistance
  • +2 more

Languages: English · German · Arabic · Ukrainian …

View profile of Kisser Legal

Crowe UAE

Accounting firm · International network

Abu Dhabi

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +3 more

Languages: English

View profile of Crowe UAE

FMCA

Accounting firm · Medium-sized firm

Dubai

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +6 more
View profile of FMCA

HLB HAMT

Accounting firm · International network

Dubai

  • Company formation
  • Accounting and bookkeeping
  • Tax compliance
  • +4 more

Languages: English

View profile of HLB HAMT

40 more firms offering corporate secretarial services in the UAE

Frequently asked questions

What is a beneficial owner record?

It is the register of the natural persons who ultimately own or control the company. In the Dubai Development Authority's decision, a beneficial owner holds 25% or more of the capital or voting rights. The record must be filed with the Registrar within 60 days of licensing and registration.

Who handles licence renewals?

Often the corporate secretarial firm, if renewals are part of its annual fee. Ask what the renewal covers, how far ahead you are warned and what extra government charges are passed on to you.

Do I need a local address for my company?

Most licences involve a registered office or desk arrangement, whose form depends on the authority and the licence. Ask the provider what address your licence requires and whether it appears on documents you give to banks.

Other services in the UAE

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Setting up a company in the UAE: the guide and every firm

General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules, rates and fees change: check them with the official sources linked on this page or with a qualified adviser before you act.