To register a company in the UAE, the founder must submit registration forms to the country's Companies Registrar. It should be noted that the founder need not visit the registrar in person when registering a company. The company can be registered online. The director and shareholder must submit an application for opening a company and the company’s charter. If you use the services of nominee directors and shareholders from the UAE, they may sign the documents.

There are six stages for registering a company in the UAE:

• Checking and confirming the company name
• Preparation and completion of documentation
• Receipt of signed original UAE documents (if nominee service is not used)
• Registration of a company in the selected Emirate
• Notarization and legalization of company documents (on request)
• Delivery of company documents by courier

To register a company in the Ajman offshore zone, the following package of documents is needed:

• a scanned copy of the founder’s passport;
• utility bills for the last 3 months (in Russian and English);
• email and personal telephone number of the shareholder;
• signed original registration documents (charter and application for registration).

To register a company in the RAK ICC offshore zone, the following package of documents is needed:

• a scanned copy of the founder’s passport;
• utility bills for the last 3 months (in Russian and English);
• appointment letter;
• Shareholders’ CVs (in English);
• a copy of the passport page with a stamp confirming entry into the UAE (when registering a company in person);
• bank reference letter addressed to each shareholder (in English);
• signed original registration documents (charter, application for registration and appointment letter).

Upon completion of the company registration, the founder will receive the following documents:

• Certificate of Incorporation
• Memorandum and Articles of Association
• Minutes of the First Meeting
• Consent to act as a director
• Resolution of issuing share certificate
• Share Certificate
• Registers of directors and shareholders
• Nominee Agreement*
• Resolution of issuing Power of Attorney*
• Power of Attorney*
• Declaration of Trust*

* Provided when using a nominee service

As a rule, companies in the UAE are registered to:

• Export and import goods
• Manage investment
• Provide consulting services
• Trade internationally
• Own assets of foreign legal entities
• Protect financial assets