How to close a UAE company: liquidation, deregistration, and exit guide

Closing a UAE company requires four sequential processes: employee termination and visa cancellation, FTA tax deregistration, trade licence cancellation with the DED or free zone authority, and corporate bank account closure. The full process tak

UAE company annual audit: when it’s required and what it costs

A UAE company audit is mandatory for Qualifying Free Zone Persons (QFZPs), DIFC entities, ADGM entities, and mainland companies with revenue exceeding AED 50 million. For all other entities, an audit is optional but increasingly expected by banks

How to hire your first employee in the UAE: visa, contract, and payroll guide

Hiring your first employee in the UAE requires seven sequential steps: MOHRE registration, offer letter, labour contract, visa application, medical test, Emirates ID, and WPS payroll setup. The process takes 3 to 6 weeks from offer acceptance

UAE e-invoicing: what businesses need to know about the 2027 mandate

The UAE is implementing mandatory electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) starting 1 January 2027 for businesses with annual revenue exceeding AED 50 million. All B2B and B2G invoices must be issued, transmitted, and stored electronically through an

How to choose the right UAE free zone for your business

The UAE’s 45+ free zones serve different business models, and choosing the wrong one costs AED 20,000 to AED 50,000 in re-incorporation fees and 2 to 3 months of lost operational time. The right free zone depends on four factors: what your busine

UAE company compliance checklist: what to do after incorporation

Incorporating a UAE company is the first step. Staying compliant after incorporation requires action across six regulatory tracks — corporate tax registration, VAT registration, WPS salary setup, Emiratisation, health insurance, and annual licenc

UAE labour law basics: what foreign employers need to know

UAE labour law is governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 (the Labour Law), effective 2 February 2022, replacing the 1980 Labour Law. The new framework introduced fixed-term contracts, flexible work models, anti-discrimination protections,