Company Strike-Off in Innovation City Freezone | Process and Requirements

Key Fact: Voluntary strike-off may be available to companies that have remained inactive for more than six months. Eligibility depends on the company’s operating and banking history, outstanding liabilities and compliance status.

What Is Company Strike-Off in Innovation City Freezone?

Company strike-off is a process for removing a company from the relevant register. It may provide an alternative to full voluntary liquidation for certain inactive businesses, subject to the authority’s applicable rules and approval.

Innovation City, formerly known as RAK DAO, operates under its own company regulations. Its official rules and regulations distinguish voluntary winding-up from other regulatory actions involving a company.

The distinction matters because strike-off should not automatically be treated as equivalent to liquidation. The applicable route and documentation depend on the company’s legal form and circumstances.

Is Your Company Eligible for Strike-Off in Innovation City?

The strike-off route may be available to companies that have not operated for more than six months and meet the applicable conditions concerning bank transactions and compliance.

A company that never commenced commercial operations may still have financial activity in its bank account. For example, shareholder-funded deposits or transfers can appear in bank records even when the business has no customers or operating revenue.

Before applying, review the following:

• Commercial activity: Confirm whether the company entered into contracts, supplied services or generated operating revenue
• Banking history: Identify the nature and timing of shareholder-funded transactions and other account movements
• Outstanding liabilities: Check for unpaid fees, creditors, penalties or other obligations
• Licence status: Confirm whether the licence remains valid and whether any renewals or charges are outstanding
• Tax compliance: Review applicable Corporate Tax registration, filing and deregistration requirements

Limited shareholder-funded transactions do not necessarily establish that commercial operations took place. However, the company should disclose its banking history and obtain confirmation that it meets the applicable strike-off conditions before proceeding.

How Can You Apply for Company Strike-Off in Innovation City?

The process involves confirming eligibility, preparing the director’s resolution, submitting the required documents and completing the applicable cancellation formalities. Additional documents may be requested during the compliance review.

The precise sequence may vary depending on the company’s circumstances. The initial submission does not guarantee immediate cancellation, especially if further documents or clearances are required.

How Much Does Company Strike-Off in Innovation City Cost?

The estimated charges for the closure process are as follows.

The quoted cost ranges from ~AED 4,200 to ~AED 5,600, depending on whether establishment card and residence visa cancellations apply. Confirm the applicable charges and any additional costs directly with Innovation City before submitting the application.

What Documents Are Required for Company Strike-Off in Innovation City?

The director’s resolution approving voluntary strike-off is a key document for the application. The compliance department may request additional supporting records.

Prepare the following where applicable:

• Director’s resolution approving voluntary strike-off
• Copy of the company’s trade licence
• Relevant shareholder or director approvals
• Establishment card and residence visa details
• Bank statements or supporting records showing the nature of transactions
• Corporate Tax registration and filing records, if applicable
• Any additional declarations, clearances or documents requested by the authority

Confirm the final document checklist before submission. Providing complete and consistent records can help reduce avoidable delays.

How Long Does Company Strike-Off Take in Innovation City?

The strike-off process includes a 30-day notice period. The notice must be posted on the authority’s website before the licence is cancelled, subject to completion of the applicable requirements.

The notice period is not necessarily the complete end-to-end timeline. Preparing documents, resolving outstanding issues, completing immigration cancellations and obtaining final confirmation may take additional time.

Delays may also arise if the compliance department requests further information. Companies should confirm when the notice period begins and whether any additional steps apply to their specific case.

Are a Liquidator, Liquidation Report or Auditor Required for Strike-Off?

Strike-off and full voluntary liquidation are different closure routes, so their documentation requirements may not be identical.

A director’s resolution is a central document for the strike-off application. However, this does not establish that every company is automatically exempt from liquidator, auditor or financial reporting requirements.

Before proceeding, confirm whether the company’s legal form and circumstances require:

• Appointment of a liquidator
• A liquidation plan or final liquidation report
• An auditor’s report or financial statements
• Additional declarations or regulatory clearances

This is particularly important where the company has assets, liabilities, unresolved transactions or outstanding compliance obligations. Obtain confirmation of the applicable requirements before assuming that a simplified strike-off route removes the need for professional involvement.

What Happens to Bank Accounts and Corporate Tax During Strike-Off?

Licence cancellation does not automatically close a company’s bank account or deregister it for Corporate Tax. These matters should be addressed separately.

Bank account closure: Contact the bank to confirm its closure requirements, settle outstanding charges and obtain any required confirmation. Reconcile shareholder-funded transactions and retain supporting records. Check whether the free zone authority requires evidence of bank closure for the specific application.

Corporate Tax: If the company is registered for UAE Corporate Tax, review its outstanding returns, liabilities and deregistration obligations. Under the UAE Corporate Tax framework, applicable filing and payment obligations must be addressed even when the business has not generated operating revenue.

The FTA generally requires a Corporate Tax deregistration application within three months of the applicable triggering event. The deadline depends on the circumstances, so confirm the relevant event, outstanding returns and tax liabilities with the FTA before proceeding.

Corporate Tax deregistration is a separate process from free zone licence cancellation. Completing one does not automatically complete the other.

What Documents Will You Receive After Company Strike-Off?

Once the process is completed, the company should receive a strike-off confirmation or licence cancellation letter from the authority.

Depending on its circumstances, it should also retain:

• Establishment card and residence visa cancellation confirmations, where applicable
• Bank account closure confirmation
• Corporate Tax deregistration confirmation, if registered
• Copies of submitted resolutions, applications and final approvals

Keep these records with the company’s historical financial and compliance documents. The licence cancellation letter does not, by itself, prove that bank and tax obligations have also been completed.

FAQs

Can a company that never started operations avoid full voluntary liquidation?

It may be possible if the company qualifies for the applicable strike-off route. Eligibility depends on the authority’s requirements, the company’s legal form and its outstanding obligations.

Do shareholder transactions automatically make a company ineligible for strike-off?

Not necessarily. The nature and timing of the transactions matter. The company should disclose its banking history and confirm eligibility before applying.

Is the 30-day notice period the total closure timeline?

No. It is the notice period. Document preparation, compliance checks and additional cancellations may extend the overall timeline.

Can a company proceed if its Corporate Tax obligations are incomplete?

Outstanding filing, payment and deregistration requirements should be addressed where applicable. Free zone licence cancellation and Corporate Tax deregistration are separate processes.

Is a liquidator mandatory for every Innovation City company closure?

The requirement depends on the applicable closure route, legal form and circumstances. Confirm whether strike-off is available and whether any liquidator or audit requirements apply.

What happens if additional documents are requested?

The company must provide the requested information or satisfy the outstanding conditions. This may delay final cancellation until the authority is satisfied.

How Can Arnifi Help With Innovation City Company Closure?

Arnifi can help assess the company’s circumstances, coordinate the required documentation and liaise with the relevant authority regarding the closure process. Support may also include identifying licence, immigration and tax compliance matters that need attention.

The appropriate closure route should be confirmed before assuming that a liquidator or other professional involvement can be avoided. 

Conclusion

Voluntary strike-off may offer a practical closure route for certain inactive Innovation City companies, but eligibility depends on the authority’s requirements and the company’s circumstances. Confirm the applicable fees, documents, notice process and any liquidator requirements before proceeding. Bank closure and Corporate Tax deregistration should also be addressed separately where applicable. Arnifi can help you assess the company’s closure requirements and coordinate the next steps.

Official References

1. Innovation City: Rules and Regulations
2. Federal Tax Authority: Corporate Tax Deregistration
3. UAE Ministry of Finance: Corporate Tax Legislation