Key Fact: Setting up a UAE LLC involves obtaining initial approval, preparing and signing the MOA, arranging the required physical office and Ejari, obtaining the trade licence, opening the establishment card, and completing investor or employment-related procedures where applicable. The exact process can vary depending on the owner’s circumstances, including whether the owner is inside or outside the UAE.

Introduction

A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is one of the structures available for establishing a business in the UAE. The setup involves obtaining the relevant approvals, preparing the company’s documents, signing the MOA, arranging premises and completing licensing formalities.

The owner’s location can also affect how certain steps are completed. For example, an owner outside the UAE may need a Power of Attorney (POA) and an authorised person with an Emirates ID for certain signing procedures.

After the trade licence is issued, the company may proceed with its establishment card, investor or partner visa, MOHRE registration and employee visa procedures, depending on its requirements.

What Is an LLC Company in the UAE?

An LLC is a separate legal entity owned by one or more shareholders.

The structure generally involves:

• Owner or shareholder
• Company trade licence
• Manager or authorised person
• Company premises
• Government registrations and approvals

The shareholder owns the company, while the manager or authorised person handles company representation within the authority granted to them.

After incorporation, the company may also need an establishment card, immigration registrations, MOHRE file and other government registrations depending on its activities and workforce.

What Is the Process for Setting Up an LLC in the UAE?

The process can be summarised as:

Initial Approval for an LLC

Initial approval is an early stage of LLC formation. It allows the company to proceed with the subsequent incorporation requirements, subject to the applicable process.

Depending on the circumstances, initial approval can be obtained even when the owner is outside the UAE. The owner’s location can affect the signing and representation arrangements that follow.

The company name, activity and ownership details should be prepared correctly before moving to the next stage.

How Is the LLC MOA Signed?

The MOA signing route depends on the owner’s circumstances and the applicable authority.

Possible options include:

• Direct MOA signing through DED/DET
• Dubai Court signing where applicable
• Dubai Court signing through Zoom
• Signing through an authorised third party

An indicative direct signing cost is ~AED 210 + ~AED 30.

Dubai Court/Zoom signing can cost approximately ~AED 1,550, with around ~AED 300 for additional signees. The final amount depends on the signing route and number of people involved.

What If the LLC Owner Does Not Have an Emirates ID?

If the owner does not have an Emirates ID, an MOJ Power of Attorney can be given to another person who has an EID.

The authorised third party can then complete the relevant MOA signing process through the applicable direct or Zoom route.

An indicative MOJ POA cost is approximately ~AED 1,000, although the amount can depend on the number of signees and type of POA.

The signing cost will also depend on the route selected.

What Are the LLC Office and Ejari Requirements?

A physical office may be required for the LLC setup, depending on the applicable activity and licensing arrangement.

For the process covered here, the company uses a physical office rather than a virtual Ejari.

The arrangement generally involves:

1. Taking physical office space from the vendor.
2. Arranging the space for the company.
3. Completing Ejari.
4. Completing the applicable inspection or verification.

An Ejari cost of approximately ~AED 2,500 can be used as an indicative figure, although market prices vary.

Some arrangements may subsequently be cancelled from the system after the required process, with an inspection arrangement provided for one year.

What Happens After the LLC Is Formed?

After company formation and trade-licence issuance, the next stage can include opening the establishment card.

For Dubai, the relevant immigration process is handled through GDRFA, while ICP applies to relevant procedures in other emirates.

The establishment-card process can require the authorised person’s physical Emirates ID, company documents and other supporting information. An old EID may be accepted in applicable circumstances, while a replacement EID can be requested where required.

The person named on the establishment card has the relevant authority to make company changes under the applicable procedure. A personal bank-account statement may also be required.

How Does the Establishment Card Lead to the Next Steps?

The establishment card allows the company to proceed with relevant immigration and employment processes.

The next steps can include:

Establishment Card → Investor/Partner Visa OR MOHRE File → Labour Inspection → Visa Quota → Employee Visas

The applicable route depends on whether the company needs investor or partner residence, employee hiring, or both.

Can an LLC Owner Apply for an Investor or Partner Visa?

An eligible LLC owner or partner can apply for the applicable investor or partner residence route after the establishment-card stage.

Share-capital requirements depend on the specific immigration route. Figures such as ~AED 100,000 or ~AED 50,000+ should therefore be checked against the applicable ICP/GDRFA process rather than treated as a universal requirement.

GDRFA’s investor/partner residence services require supporting documents such as a valid trade licence and partnership or investment documentation.

How Do You Open a MOHRE File for an LLC?

An LLC that plans to hire employees needs the applicable MOHRE employment setup.

The process can include:

• MOHRE file opening
• MOHRE authorisation through UAE Pass
• Emirates ID for the authorised person
• Labour inspection through Taqeem
• Visa quota
• Employee visa applications

An indicative MOHRE file-opening cost is ~AED 525.

During labour inspection, the company owner or authorised person may need to be present with:

• Trade licence
• Emirates ID
• Company name board

MOHRE’s quota procedures can also require establishment and lease documents and evidence supporting the company’s workforce requirements.

How Does Visa Quota Work for an LLC?

After the MOHRE setup and applicable inspection, the company can apply for its employee visa quota.

Additional quota can involve a separate cost and may require a business justification.

Supporting documents can include:

• Vendor agreements
• Business contracts
• Other documents demonstrating the need for additional employees

The available quota is not necessarily the same for every company and can depend on the establishment and its business requirements.

What Happens When Employees Already Hold Another Visa?

Employees may already hold a UAE residence status, such as:

• Free-zone visa
• Dependent visa
• Golden Visa

Where applicable, the employee can go through the relevant MOHRE work-authorisation process, including person-code creation.

Holding another UAE residence visa does not automatically replace the work authorisation required for employment.

What MOHRE Categories Apply to an LLC?

Indicative categories and labour-payment figures include:

The applicable category should be checked with MOHRE at the time of setup because categories, fees and requirements can change.

What Are the Main LLC Formation Cost Components?

The overall cost can include:

• Initial approval
• Name reservation
• MOA preparation and signing
• DED/DET charges
• Dubai Court signing, where applicable
• Additional signee charges
• MOJ POA, where applicable
• Physical office
• Ejari
• Establishment card
• Investor/partner visa
• MOHRE file
• Labour-related payments
• Visa quota
• Employee visa processing
• Activity-specific approvals

Indicative figures include ~AED 120 for initial approval, ~AED 620 for name reservation and approximately ~AED 2,500 for Ejari.

The final cost depends on the owner’s location, signing route, number of signees, office arrangement, activity and visa or employment requirements.

Complete LLC Formation Flow

How Arnifi Helps With LLC Company Formation in the UAE

Arnifi supports businesses through the LLC formation process, from initial approval and MOA preparation to signing, licensing, office and Ejari arrangements.

Support can also cover the establishment card, investor or partner visas, MOHRE file opening, labour inspection, visa quota and employee visa processing.

The support can continue after incorporation with banking, accounting, tax and ongoing compliance requirements.

FAQs

Can an LLC owner be outside the UAE during company formation?

Yes, an owner may be able to complete certain formation stages while outside the UAE. The applicable signing and representation process depends on the owner’s circumstances.

How is the MOA signed for a UAE LLC?

The MOA can be signed directly or through an applicable Dubai Court, Zoom or authorised third-party process.

What happens if the LLC owner does not have an Emirates ID?

An MOJ POA can be given to an eligible person with an Emirates ID to complete the relevant signing procedure.

Is a physical office required for an LLC?

Office requirements depend on the activity and licensing arrangement. A physical office and Ejari form part of the setup covered in this process.

What happens after the LLC receives its trade licence?

The company can proceed with its establishment card and, where applicable, investor or partner visa, MOHRE registration, labour inspection, visa quota and employee visas.

How do I open a MOHRE file for an LLC?

The company completes the applicable MOHRE registration and authorisation process before proceeding with employee hiring and visa procedures.

How does visa quota work for LLC employees?

The company applies for the applicable quota through MOHRE. Additional quota may require a business justification and supporting documents.

Conclusion

LLC formation in the UAE starts with initial approval and continues through MOA preparation and signing, physical office and Ejari arrangements, final licensing and establishment-card registration. Depending on the owner’s circumstances, POA and EID arrangements may be needed. Investor residence and employee hiring are separate stages, followed by MOHRE, visa quota and employment procedures where applicable.

REFERENCES:

• UAE Government – Full foreign ownership of commercial companies
• GDRFA Dubai – Establishment Card
• GDRFA Dubai – Green Residence for Investor/Partner
• MoHRE – Work Permit Quota Requirements
• MoHRE – Wage Protection System