Government and Professional Fees

Business setup in JAFZA

Business setup in RAK

Business setup in DAFZA







Island Palm Jumeirah

Island Palm Jumeirah

Aerial view of construction site in Island Palm Jumeirah







View of Burj Al Arab

View of Burj Al Arab

Cityscape view of coastal town in Dubai with modern architecture from Madinat Jumeirah







Dubai Gold Souq

Dubai Gold Souq

Gold bangles in the Gold Souk, Dubai







Ski Dubai

Ski Dubai

Snow ski centre at sunset

Business Setup in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)



Retail Outlets - Limited Liability Company


Documents Required

If Incorporating a Limited Liability Company
  1. Application for Reservation of a Limited Liability Company Name. Form LLC1 (Optional)
  2. Application for Incorporation of a Limited Liability Company. Form LLC2
  3. A copy of the company's proposed Memorandum and Articles of Association. This must be signed by the incorporators and their signatures notarised. Alternatively, incorporators can sign in the presence of the DIFC official who can witness their signatures
  4. Approval from the DIFCA's Registration Review Committee.
If an incorporator is a body corporate:
  1. A copy of the incorporator's current Certificate of Incorporation or Registration in its place of origin, or a document of similar effect, certified by the relevant authority in the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or registered.
  2. If any documents are not in the English Language they must be accompanied by an official translation certified to the satisfaction of the Registrar.
  3. Resolution of the Board of Directors or Shareholders (or other applicable top management body) authorising the incorporation of the Company in the DIFC or for the investment in the new DIFC Company.
  4. Resolution of the Board of Directors or Shareholders (or other applicable top management body) appointing: a) the person authorised to sign documents on behalf of the body corporate in relation to the incorporation of the new Company; b) appointing the person authorised to sign documents in all matters following incorporation of the new Company. (In some cases the Board will authorise the issue of a Power of Attorney giving a named individual the powers to sign all documents in connection with the establishment of the Company).
  5. Resolution of the Board of Directors or Shareholders (or other applicable top management body) stating that the Articles of Association have been duly adopted by the Company.
  6. Names and addresses of the beneficial owners who enjoy the direct or indirect benefits of owning at least 10% of the shares or membership interest, regardless of whose name the shares are in. Form LLC8.
Applicable to both, if an incorporator is an individual or a body corporate:
  1. Personnel Sponsorship Agreement signed by both parties (please print this document on blank paper, print in the details and submit in duplicate).
  2. Foreign Direct Investment Form ("FDI").
  3. Form DAT1 (Notification of Personal Data Operations) (for inquiries on this form please visit http://dp.difc.ae).
  4. Copy of the lease agreement for the office space in DIFC or outside of DIFC signed by both parties. If the company is operating from outside the DIFC then a no objection letter from the Leasing Department of DIFCA is compulsory.
  5. Passport copies of all directors, officers, and members.
The Form LLC01 is only required if the company wants to reserve the name to avoid someone else using it.

Fee - Retail Outlets - Limited Liability Company

  • Application for Reservation of Name US$ 340
  • Application for Incorporation of a Limited Liability Company US$ 3,400
  • Commercial License fee (payable upon incorporation and annual renewal) US$ 5,100

Retail Outlets - Company Limited by Shares


Documents Required

If Incorporating a Company Limited by Shares
  1. Application for Reservation of a Company Name. Form LTD1 (Optional. The Form LTD1 is only required if the company wants to reserve the name to avoid someone else using it).
  2. Application for Incorporation of a Company Limited by Shares. Form LTD2
  3. A copy of the company’s proposed Articles of Association. This must be signed by the incorporators and their signatures notarised. Alternatively, incorporators can sign in the presence of the DIFC official who can witness their signatures.
  4. Approval from the DIFCA or DFSA. (DFSA if undertaking financial services).
If an incorporator is a body corporate:
  1. A copy of the incorporator’s current Certificate of Incorporation or Registration in its place of origin, or a document of similar effect, certified by the relevant authority in the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or registered.
  2. If any documents are not in the English Language they must be accompanied by a translation certified to the satisfaction of the Registrar.
  3. Resolution of the Board of Directors authorising the incorporation of the Company in the DIFC or for the investment in the new DIFC Company.
  4. Resolution of the Board of Directors appointing: a) the person authorised to sign documents on behalf of the body corporate in relation to the incorporation of the new Company; b) appointing the person authorised to sign documents in all matters following incorporation of the new Company. (In some cases the Board will authorise the issue of a Power of Attorney giving a named individual the powers to sign all documents in connection with the establishment of the Company).
  5. Resolution of the Board of Directors stating that the Articles of Association have been duly adopted by the Company.
  6. Names and addresses of the beneficial owners who enjoy the direct or indirect benefits of owning at least 10% of the shares, regardless of whose name the shares are in. Form LTD8.
Applicable to both, if an incorporator is an individual or a body corporate:
  1. Personnel Sponsorship Agreement signed by both parties (please print this document on blank paper, print in the details and submit in duplicate).
  2. Foreign Direct Investment Form (“FDI”).
  3. Form DAT1 (Notification of Personal Data Operations) (for inquiries on this form please visit http://dp.difc.ae).
  4. Copy of the lease agreement for the office space in DIFC or outside of DIFC signed by both parties. If the company is operating from outside the DIFC then a no objection letter from the Leasing Department of DIFCA is compulsory.
  5. Passport copies of all directors, officers, and shareholders (if shareholders are individuals).

Fee - Retail Outlets - Company Limited by Shares

  • Application for Reservation of Name US$ 340
  • Application for Incorporation of a Company Limited by Shares US$ 3,400
  • Commercial License fee (payable upon incorporation and annual renewal) US$ 5,100

Retail Outlets - Foreign Recognised Company


Documents Required

If registering a Foreign Recognised Company
  1. Application for Reservation of a Recognised Company name. Form RCO1 (Optional)
  2. Application for Registration of a Recognised Company. Form RCO2.
  3. A copy of the current certificate of the foreign company's incorporation or registration in its place of origin, certified by the relevant authority in the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated or registered.
  4. Approval from the DIFCA or DFSA which must state the business that has been approved and the licence, if any, issued to the company.
  5. A copy of the foreign company's constitution certified as a true copy by the company secretary or director of the company. This signature must be notarised in the country of origin.
  6. A copy of the foreign company's most recent audited accounts filed with the relevant authority in the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated.
  7. Names and addresses of the beneficial owners who enjoy the direct or indirect benefits of owning at least 10% of the shares, regardless of whose name the shares are in. Form RCO6
  8. If any documents are not in the English Language they must be accompanied by a translation certified to the satisfaction of the Registrar.
  9. Resolution of the Board of Directors authorising the establishment of the Foreign Recognised Company in the DIFC.
  10. Resolution of the Board of Directors appointing the person authorised to sign the documents and to take all actions necessary:
    a) for setting up the Recognised Company;
    b) following registration of the Recognised Company. In some cases the Board will authorise the issue of a Power of Attorney giving a named individual the powers to carry out the aforementioned activities.
  11. Personnel Sponsorship Agreement signed by both parties (please print this document on blank paper, print in the details and submit in duplicate).
  12. Foreign Direct Investment Form ("FDI").
  13. Form DAT1 (Notification of Personal Data Operations) (for inquiries on this form please visit http://dp.difc.ae).
  14. Copy of the lease agreement for the office space in DIFC or outside of DIFC signed by both parties. If the company is operating from outside the DIFC then a no objection letter from the Leasing Department of DIFCA is compulsory.
  15. Passport copies of all directors, officers, and shareholders.
The Form RCO1 is only required if the company wants to reserve the name to avoid someone else using it.

Fee - Retail Outlets - Foreign Recognised Company

  • Application for Reservation of Name US$ 340
  • Application for Incorporation of a Limited Liability Company US$ 3,400
  • Commercial License fee (payable upon incorporation and annual renewal) US$ 5,100

(Publication of DIFC)