Order of steps to close a company
I want to close my Dubai LLC. What is the right order of steps?
The situation
Closing needs a set order: decide and appoint a liquidator, settle staff, file final tax returns and deregister, cancel visas, publish the notice, then cancel the licence.
The law
- Federal Decree-Law 32 of 2021 on Commercial Companies: Company liquidation
- Art 52, Federal Decree-Law 47 of 2022: Deregistration only after returns and tax are settled
What it means for you
Market guides put a mainland LLC closure at 2 to 3 months, with a creditor notice period of about 45 days after the newspaper notice. Example: an LLC with 2 staff and a current licence can expect total costs of about AED 12,000 to 18,000. Do tax deregistration before licence cancellation.
What to do
- Pass a shareholder resolution and appoint a liquidator.
- Pay staff dues and cancel visas.
- File final VAT and Corporate Tax returns and deregister.
- Publish notice, wait, then cancel the licence.
We can do this for youCompany liquidation and deregistration: VAT and Corporate Tax deregistration, visa cancellation and licence cancellation: AED 4,000