Document Checklist Generator
Pick your structure and residency status, then tick off exactly what you need — no more digging through a generic list to work out what applies to you.
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About the UAE company document checklist
The documents you need depend on three things: the type of company you are forming, whether the shareholders live in the UAE, and whether the business needs residence visas. A free zone company, a mainland company, an offshore holding company and a freelance permit each have a different core set of papers, and non-resident shareholders usually need extra attested or notarised documents.
Typical requirements
Typical requirements include valid passport copies for every shareholder and director, recent passport photographs, proof of address, a signed application form, a proposed trade name with alternatives, and a description of the business activity.
Mainland and non-resident extras
Mainland companies add a lease agreement (Ejari) and initial approvals for regulated activities, while non-resident shareholders may need a certificate of good standing, a board resolution or a power of attorney, each legalised for UAE use.
Use it as a planning toolChoose your structure, residency status and visa needs above to generate a checklist you can tick off and print. Authorities occasionally change what they ask for, so treat the list as a planning tool and confirm the final requirements with your licensing authority.
Before you gather paperworkIt helps to confirm the structure itself. The structure comparison explains the differences, and the cost calculator shows what each route is likely to cost.
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