Closing a business on the mainland
No matter what type of business you own in the UAE, you must cancel your business licence and all related permits, when you have made your decision to close it down. This page provides a summary of the formalities for closing your business and cancelling its licence properly.
- Close your business in Dubai - Dubai Government Portal
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Cancel commercial licence - TAMM
Why cancelling the licence is a requirement upon business closure?
It is important for relevant government entities to know that you are no longer in the business so you can avoid incurring fines and penalties for not renewing your licence.
If you are in a shareholding company, it is important to discharge your liabilities towards creditors and partners and protect your interests and shares.
It is also wise to put your goodwill and business reputation in perspective, if you decide to open a business again.
Formalities for cancelling your business licence
Cancelling the licence depends on the form of your company. For establishments and sole proprietorships, the process is simple. Just apply for cancellation through Department of Economic Development (DED) in the respective emirate and acquire all relevant clearances from:
- Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation
- Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs
- the relevant water and electricity authority
- the leasing entity etc.
However, for companies with shares, the process is longer because it requires liquidating the shares, collecting the debts and paying the creditors before finalising with DED.
Companies which require a liquidator
You need to appoint a liquidator if the legal form of your company is one of these:
- General Partnership
- Limited Liability Company
- Simple Limited Partnership
- Public Joint Stock Company
- Private Joint Stock Company.
What are the steps to dissolve all kinds of companies (except civil companies)?
The process involves two stages:
Stage 1:
- Prepare a notarised minutes of the general assembly confirming the company liquidation and the appointment of a liquidator.
- Arrange an official letter by a registered liquidator accepting the duty.
- Apply for cancellation by filling the required form through DED or other approved channels.
- DED will issue a liquidation certificate.
- Publish the notice of liquidation in two local newspapers.
- The notice gives the debtors a grace period of 45 days from the date of issue to submit their claims.
Stage 2:
- Submit to DED a declaration letter from the liquidator and the partners indicating no objection from any other parties during the grace period.
- Collect required approvals of other government bodies to cancel a licence.
- Cancel the firm card at Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
- Cancel the foreign partners' visas sponsored by the company at the respective General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs.
- Submit all the above documents to get the approval for final cancellation.
- DED will determine the fees.
- You can receive the certificate of deregistration (cancellation) after paying the requested fees.
Freezing a trade licence
Freezing a licence is different from terminating a licence.
In Dubai, companies may keep their trade licences inactive for three years by paying a certain freezing fee. However, they cannot extend this duration.
FAQs
What specific approvals are needed for cancelling private shareholding companies?
You should obtain approval of Ministry of Economy.
What specific approval is needed for cancelling public shareholding companies?
You should obtain the Securities and Commodities Authority's decision to cancel a public shareholding company.
What are the steps to close a civil works company?
- Fill the cancellation form.
- Cancel the firm card at Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
- Cancel the foreign partners' visas sponsored by the company at the respective General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs.
- Collect required approvals of other government bodies to cancel a licence.
- Prepare a partnership cancellation contract authenticated by the notary public.
- Submit the above documents and collect licence cancellation certificate.
What are the procedures and documents required to cancel a sole proprietorship licence?
For sole proprietorship, you need a no objection letter from Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, in addition to a residence cancellation proof for non-Gulf nationals.
What are the conditions for freezing a licence?
You need to provide:
- a letter from the company or the institution requesting to stop the licensing temporarily
- a letter from Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation indicating the absence of sponsored people on the licence
- a report from the inspection division in DED.
Can the dissolution of a company be cancelled before the issuance of the payment voucher?
Yes, it can be cancelled upon approval of the Legal Affairs Department in the DED.
What would happen to the branch if a company established in another emirate is dissolved but owns a branch in another emirate?
The branch will also be dissolved.
What are the conditions of private liquidation?
- The licence expiration date should have ended for more than 2 years.
- The Emirati partner shall acknowledge his liability towards the company.
- The company needs to provide supporting documents that strengthens the dissolution request such as the escape of a partner.
- The company needs to provide a letter from Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation indicating the absence of sponsored people on the licence.
Updated On :
12 Jun 2025
