Licensing foreign establishments/companies within DMCA geographical boundaries.

Through licensing foreign establishments/companies, DMCA aims at attracting foreign investments and consolidating UAE economic situation while ensuring that all licensed companies comply with laws and regulations applicable in the country.

Individuals: including expatriates, company owners and foreign investors

• Customer Happiness Centre – Dubai Maritime City Authority building “B”.
• Customer Happiness Centre – Al Shindagha area – Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA) building

No data available

DMCA issues licenses for foreign establishments to the following:

1. Foreign establishment or company
2. Foreign individual

Licensing Foreign Establishments – Foreign Ownership

Stages of License Issuance:

Upon completing all requirements, DMCA foreign establishment licensing process shall be achieved through the following 3 stages:

First Stage: initial approval:

1. Submittal of all documents required for the initial approval
2. payment of initial approval fees

Required Documents:

1. Foreign establishment/ company registration and licensing application form
2. Trade name reservation application form
3. Passport copies of manager and board members of the new establishment.
4. Resume copies of manager and board members of the new establishment.
5. Copy of feasibility study and five year financial projection.

Upon reviewing all the required documents, and receiving the initial approval from the competent authorities, trade name reservation certificate shall be issued along with the initial approval certificate which will be valid for (90) days and renewable for a similar period. During such period, establishment owners or their representatives shall complete the required documents for the second stage of license issuance.

Second Stage: submitting required documents for final approval

Required Documents:

1. Attested copy of trade license or incorporation certificate.
2. Attested copy of foreign corporation’s memorandum of association
3. Attested  resolution of board membersto establish a DMCA 100% freehold establishment Including:
   • Appointment of the new company’s board of directors, manager and secretary.
   • Appointment of legal representative along with copy of the trade license (Optional).
   • Signature authorisation for the board of directors, manager or legal representative.
4. Specimen signature application for the new establishment board of directors, manager, chairman, secretary and legal representative, form
5. NOC from sponsor to the new establishment board of directors, manager, chairman, secretary and legal representative, for UAE employment visa holders.
6. Application for manager’s visa (please refer to administrative services section)
7. Foreign establishment license issuance fees.

Upon receiving and reviewing all the required documents for the second stage, the following letters shall be issued:

1. NOC to open an account at any of the approved banks in the emirate, and deposit the establishment’s capital amount of AED 500,000.
2. NOC to lease new site addressed to DMCA.

Third Stage:

Upon completing all procedures of bank account opining, establishment capital amount depositing and lease agreement finalising, the establishment owner shall submit the following documents:

Required Documents:

1. Original bank certificate for the capital amount of AED 500,000.
2. EJARI certified lease agreement.
3. P.O Box service application form

Upon receiving and reviewing all the required documents, DMCA shall prepare the memorandum of association draft, and authorised signatories shall be physically present to sign. Subsequently, the following official documents will be prepared and handed over:

1. Trade license.
2. Foreign establishment incorporation and share certificates.
3. Attested copy of foreign establishment memorandum of association
4. Copy of establishment card

• General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs

Payment can be made in cash to the Customer Service Centers of Dubai Maritime City Authority or through portal electronic payment gateway.

From Sunday to Thursday 08:00 am till 01:00 pm

The service is not available during official holidays determined by the country.

Processing time varies depending on the procedure and type of submitted application.

All our customers’ inquiries shall be handled at the same time, or within a period that does not exceed (48) hours in case the request is needed to be addressed to another division.