Top 10 Legal Documents You Need to Register a Company in the UAE (2025 Guide)
Setting up a company in the UAE is one of the most rewarding business decisions investors and entrepreneurs can make in 2025. The UAE offers a business-friendly environment, tax advantages, and global connectivity. But before you can start operating, you’ll need to prepare and submit a range of legal documents.
So, what exactly do you need?
Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 essential legal documents required to register a company in the UAE, whether you're setting up in a mainland, free zone, or offshore jurisdiction.
| Document | Details |
|---|---|
| Passport Copies of Shareholders and Managers | A valid, clear passport copy of each shareholder and the designated manager is required. Tip: Some jurisdictions also require passport copies to be notarized and/or attested, especially for foreign nationals. |
| UAE Entry Stamp or Residency Visa Page | For companies being registered by foreign nationals inside the UAE, an entry stamp or visa page is necessary to show legal presence. For free zone or offshore setups from outside UAE, this may be waived depending on the authority. |
| Passport-sized Photographs | Most authorities require recent passport-size photos (white background, high-resolution) for:
|
| No Objection Certificate (NOC) – If Applicable | If a shareholder or manager is currently employed in the UAE and holds a valid UAE residence visa, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their sponsor or employer may be needed. This is usually required in mainland setups, but not always in free zones. |
| Proof of Trade Name Reservation | You must reserve a unique trade name with the relevant authority (e.g. DED, IFZA, SPC). The trade name certificate is a mandatory document in the registration file. |
| Initial Approval Certificate | Before the final license is issued, you need to secure an Initial Approval Certificate showing that the authority has no objection to you proceeding with the registration of your business activity. |
| Memorandum of Association (MOA) / Articles of Association (AOA) | The MOA outlines the company's ownership structure, shareholding percentage, capital, and business activity. It must be:
|
| Tenancy Contract / Ejari / Office Lease Agreement | For mainland companies, a physical office space is mandatory. You’ll need:
|
| Board Resolution (for Corporate Shareholders) | If another company (local or foreign) is a shareholder, a Board Resolution authorizing the formation of a new UAE company must be submitted, along with:
|
| Power of Attorney (POA) – If Represented by a Third Party | If someone else is handling the company registration on your behalf (like Connectin Business Services), a Power of Attorney (POA) must be executed and notarized. |
🛡️ Bonus: Other Supporting Documents (Activity-Specific)
- Educational certificates (for consulting or professional licenses)
- External Approvals (from Dubai Municipality, DHA, KHDA, etc.)
- Bank reference letters (for certain offshore setups)
Quick Checklist Summary
| Document | Required For |
|---|---|
| Passport Copy | All shareholders & manager |
| UAE Entry Stamp / Visa | Foreign shareholders inside UAE |
| Passport-size Photo | All individuals involved |
| NOC | If under existing UAE employment visa |
| Trade Name Reservation | All company types |
| Initial Approval | Precedes final license |
| MOA / AOA | Defines ownership & activity |
| Tenancy Contract / Ejari | Mainland or Free Zone Office |
| Board Resolution | Corporate shareholders |
| Power of Attorney | Third-party handling setup |
🤝 Need Help Preparing Your Documents?
At Connectin Business Services LLC, we specialize in legal document preparation, notarization, attestation, and complete business setup solutions across all UAE jurisdictions.
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Contact us today to get started – or WhatsApp us for a quick quote.