Company Liquidation in DMCC Free Zone
What is

Company Liquidation in DMCC Free Zone

Company liquidation in the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) Free Zone is the formal legal process of closing a registered business, settling all outstanding debts and liabilities, and deregistering the entity from the DMCC Authority.

Liquidation ensures:

  • All financial and legal obligations are cleared.
  • Creditors, employees, and stakeholders are fully paid.
  • The company’s trade license and registration are officially canceled.
  • You avoid penalties, fines, or future restrictions on business setup in the UAE.

Simply allowing your DMCC license to expire does not count as legal closure — it can result in penalties, visa blocks, and future licensing issues.

Types of Liquidation in DMCC Free Zone

DMCC recognizes multiple forms of liquidation depending on the company’s financial status and structure:

Voluntary Liquidation

Voluntary liquidation is initiated by shareholders when the business is solvent and able to settle its obligations. It is most commonly chosen by companies that wish to legally exit their operations.
Voluntary Liquidation

Compulsory Liquidation

Compulsory liquidation, on the other hand, is enforced by a court or relevant authority due to reasons such as insolvency, legal breaches, or non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
Compulsory Liquidation

Solvent Winding-Up

Solvent winding-up refers to a situation where all liabilities can be paid within 12 months from the commencement of the liquidation process, ensuring an orderly closure.
Solvent Winding-Up

Insolvent Voluntary Winding-Up

Insolvent voluntary winding-up occurs when a company is unable to meet its financial obligations, leading to creditors becoming involved in the process to recover what is owed.
Insolvent Voluntary Winding-Up

Summary Winding-Up

Summary winding-up is a simplified procedure designed for small, dormant, or debt-free entities, allowing them to be closed efficiently within a period of six months.
Summary Winding-Up

Step-by-Step Process of Company Liquidation in DMCC

Step 1: Board Resolution for Liquidation

    • Conduct a board or shareholders’ meeting to approve the company’s liquidation.
    • Pass a formal resolution authorizing the process and the appointment of a licensed liquidator.
    • If any shareholder resides outside the UAE, the resolution must be notarized and attested.

Step 2: Appoint a DMCC-Approved Liquidator

    • DMCC requires the appointment of a licensed liquidator, typically an approved audit or law firm.
    • Obtain a Letter of Acceptance from the liquidator confirming their role.
    • The liquidator will handle the company’s assets, liabilities, and compliance with DMCC regulations.

Step 3: Initiate Liquidation Request via DMCC Portal

    • Log into the DMCC member portal and start a “Company Termination” service request.
    • Upload the required initial documents:
      • Board/Shareholder Resolution
      • Liquidator’s Consent Letter
      • Trade License Copy
    • Pay initial DMCC liquidation/cancellation fees.

Step 4: Public Notice for Creditors

    • DMCC will publish a liquidation notice for 14 days on its website or local newspapers.
    • This period allows creditors to raise any claims.
    • If no claims are raised, the liquidation proceeds.

Step 5: Settle All Liabilities and Cancel Visas

    • Cancel all employee, investor, and dependent visas through the DMCC portal.
    • Pay all end-of-service benefits and obtain clearance from MOHRE/GDRFA.
    • Settle any outstanding DMCC service charges, supplier invoices, or bank dues.
    • Close corporate bank accounts and obtain an official bank closure letter.

Step 6: Obtain All Clearance Certificates

You must secure No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and clearances from:

    • Federal Tax Authority (FTA) – VAT deregistration and tax clearance.
    • Dubai Customs – If your company imported or exported goods.
    • DEWA – Utility bill clearance.
    • Telecom Providers (Etisalat / Du) – For phone and internet services.
    • Landlord or DMCC Property Department – Office or warehouse lease termination.
    • DMCC Authority – Final fee settlement and inspection clearance.

Step 7: Submit Final Liquidator’s Report

    • The appointed liquidator prepares a final audit report showing how assets were managed and liabilities settled.
    • Submit the following to DMCC:
      • Liquidator’s final report
      • All clearance certificates
      • Original company documents (License, MOA/AOA, Certificates of Incorporation, etc.)

Step 8: Receive Deregistration Certificate

Once DMCC reviews and approves your final documents, it issues:

    • Final Deregistration Letter
    • Company Termination Certificate

These documents confirm the company is legally dissolved and removed from the DMCC Commercial Registry.

Key Departments & Stakeholders Involved

  • DMCC Authority – Supervises the entire liquidation process and issues termination certificates.
  • Federal Tax Authority (FTA) – VAT deregistration and tax clearance.
  • General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) – Visa cancellation and immigration clearance.
  • Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE) – Labor clearance for employee settlements.
  • Dubai Customs – Clearance for import/export-related companies.
  • Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) – Utility settlement and clearance certificate.
  • Telecom Providers (Etisalat / Du) – Cancellation of business lines.
  • Corporate Banks – Account closure confirmation.
  • Landlord / JLT Property Management – Office/warehouse lease cancellation.
  • Appointed Liquidator – Prepares audit, manages compliance, and submits the final liquidation report.

Documents Required for DMCC Company Liquidation

  • Shareholders/Board Resolution for Liquidation
  • DMCC Liquidation Application Form
  • Trade License Copy
  • Memorandum & Articles of Association (MOA/AOA)
  • Liquidator’s Appointment Letter and Consent
  • Final Audited Financial Statements / Liquidator’s Report
  • Passport copies & Emirates IDs of shareholders
  • Visa Cancellation Proofs
  • Bank Account Closure Letter
  • FTA VAT Deregistration Certificate
  • NOC from Landlord
  • Customs Clearance Certificate (if applicable)

Common Challenges During DMCC Liquidation

  • Delayed VAT deregistration (FTA penalties up to AED 10,000).
  • Unsettled employee dues or pending visa cancellations.
  • Missing documents (e.g., MOA/AOA, share certificates).
  • Unclosed bank accounts delaying clearance issuance.
  • Late submission of liquidator’s report.

To prevent these issues, companies often engage a professional DMCC liquidation consultant who coordinates with all departments to ensure timely completion.

Why Proper Company Closure Is Important

Completing legal liquidation ensures:

    • No future liabilities or fines.
    • Smooth exit and future business re-entry.
    • Compliance with UAE laws and FTA regulations.
    • Refund of deposits from DMCC upon completion.

Failing to liquidate properly can result in:

    • Accumulated penalties.
    • Blocked immigration or visa services.
    • Rejection of new license applications in Dubai.

Timeline & Estimated Cost

Duration: 45 to 60 days (approx.) depending on company size, clearances, and pending liabilities.

Estimated Cost: AED 8,000 – AED 15,000+

    • Publication Fees
    • DMCC Liquidation Service Fees
    • Liquidator/Auditor Fees
    • Visa Cancellation and FTA Deregistration Charges

Note: Costs are approximate and may vary depending on company structure, activity, and pending dues.

The Capital Zone Liquidators

Why Choose Our Services?

At The Capital Zone, we manage every stage of your DMCC company liquidation efficiently and professionally. Our team ensures:

    • Full compliance with DMCC and UAE legal procedures.
    • Coordination with auditors, FTA, DEWA, and other departments.
    • Fast-track visa cancellations and document clearances.
    • Timely submission of the liquidator’s report and final deregistration.

We simplify the complex process so you can exit the market smoothly with no delays, no penalties, and complete peace of mind.

Frequently
Asked Questions

Typically, 45–60 days if all clearances are obtained on time and no outstanding issues remain.

Yes. DMCC requires a licensed and DMCC-approved liquidator to oversee the process.

No. This is not a legal closure and can result in fines, penalties, and restrictions on future company setups.

You must deregister with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) before final closure to avoid AED 10,000 fines.

Yes. With Power of Attorney, The Capital Zone can manage the entire process remotely on your behalf.

Between AED 8,000 – AED 15,000+, depending on company size, liquidator fees, and pending obligations.

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