Company Liquidation in UAE Mainland

Company liquidation in the UAE Mainland is the legal process of closing a business and cancelling its trade license through the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET/DED) or the relevant emirate’s Department of Economic Development.
It ensures all financial, legal, and employment obligations are settled, protecting shareholders from future liabilities.

1. Board Resolution

Shareholders pass a notarized resolution confirming company closure.

2. Appointment of a Licensed Liquidator

Mandatory for Limited Liability Companies (LLCs).
A liquidator prepares the Liquidation Report required by the authorities.

3. Initial Application to DED

Submit board resolution, MOA, and liquidator’s appointment letter.
Receive an official Liquidation Certificate.

4.Newspaper Advertisement

Company liquidation notice is published in 2 local Arabic newspapers for 45 days.
Creditors can raise objections during this period.

5. Clearances from Authorities

MOHRE (Labour): Cancel all labour cards.
GDRFA (Immigration): Cancel all employee and partner visas.
Banks: Close corporate accounts, settle loans/credit cards.
Landlord/Ejari: Obtain NOC for tenancy contract closure.
Utilities: Get clearance from DEWA, Etisalat, Du.
FTA: Deregister VAT and obtain tax clearance (if applicable).

6. Final Liquidator’s Report

Submitted after 45-day notice, confirming debt settlement.

7. Final Deregistration

Submit all clearances and final report to DED.
Company trade license is officially cancelled.

Although the liquidation process is similar across emirates, different terminologies are used:

Dubai – “Company Liquidation Certificate” issued by DET (formerly DED).
Abu Dhabi – “Commercial Registration Cancellation” via Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED).
Sharjah – “License Cancellation & Deregistration” via Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD).
Ajman – “Trade License Termination” through Ajman DED.
Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) – “Commercial License Cancellation” via RAK DED.
Fujairah – “Business Deregistration” via Fujairah Municipality & DED.
Umm Al Quwain (UAQ) – “License Closure Certificate” via UAQ DED.

Key Difference:
Some emirates require public newspaper announcements (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah), while smaller emirates (Ajman, UAQ, Fujairah) sometimes have shorter clearance procedures

Dubai & Abu Dhabi: Most detailed procedures, mandatory 45-day newspaper ad, strict FTA clearance.
Sharjah & RAK: Similar to Dubai but slightly faster.
Ajman, UAQ, Fujairah: Simplified steps, fewer costs, shorter timelines.

Emirate	Average Timeline	Notes
Dubai	60–90 days	Newspaper ad mandatory
Abu Dhabi	55–75 days	Similar to Dubai
Sharjah	50–65 days	Newspaper ad mandatory
Ajman	45–60 days	Faster clearances
RAK	50–65 days	Moderate duration
Fujairah	45–55 days	Simplified steps
UAQ	40–50 days	Fastest liquidation

Dubai

Estimated Cost: AED 12,000 – 25,000+
Higher due to mandatory liquidator fees, newspaper ads, and VAT compliance.
Duration: ~60–90 days

Abu Dhabi

Estimated Cost: AED 10,000 – 22,000+
Slightly lower than Dubai, but still requires liquidator and VAT clearance.
Duration: ~55–75 days

Sharjah

Estimated Cost: AED 9,000 – 18,000+
Faster process; fewer additional costs compared to Dubai/Abu Dhabi.
Duration: ~50–65 days

Ajman

Estimated Cost: AED 8,000 – 15,000+
Known for simplified procedures and lower fees.
Duration: ~45–60 days

Ras Al Khaimah

Estimated Cost: AED 9,000 – 16,000+
Moderate costs; process relatively straightforward.
Duration: ~50–65 days

Fujairah

Estimated Cost: AED 8,000 – 14,000+
Lower end of cost range due to simpler clearance procedures.
Duration: ~45–55 days

Umm Al Quwain (UAQ)

Estimated Cost: AED 7,000 – 13,000+
Cheapest mainland liquidation in UAE.
Duration: ~40–50 days

Estimated Liquidator fee AED 1500-4000

The Capital Zone Liquidators

Why Choose Our Services?

Experienced with all DEDs across UAE.
End-to-end handling of liquidation paperwork.
Clear guidance on emirate-specific terminology & steps.
Transparent fees and no hidden charges.

Contact us today to get a free consultation for your Mainland Company Liquidation.

Frequently
Asked Questions

Is a liquidator always required?

Yes, for LLCs. For sole proprietorships or civil companies, a liquidator may not be required.

Do I need to publish a newspaper ad?

Yes, in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Smaller emirates may have shorter or simplified notice requirements.

What happens if I don’t liquidate properly?

You risk fines, visa/immigration bans, and legal claims from creditors or employees.

Can I liquidate if I still have debts?

Yes, but it must be through Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation (CVL) where debts are settled with creditors.

Process of Mainland Liquidation

Different Emirates for Liquidation

How the Process Differs Across Emirates

Average Timelines by Emirate

Mainland Company Liquidation UAE