Do I need to liquidate my company to close it in the UAE?

Yes, if your business is an LLC, partnership, or joint stock company. These legal structures require formal liquidation, including appointing a registered liquidator and publishing a 45-day newspaper notice. Sole establishments and civil companies can close without liquidation but must still complete all required government clearances.

How long does it take to close a mainland company in Dubai?

The timeline varies, but companies requiring liquidation typically need 45 days or more, due to the mandatory creditor notice period. Sole establishments may close more quickly if all clearances and obligations are completed without delay.

What happens to employee visas during company closure?

All employee visas must be cancelled through the GDRFA before the company can obtain MOHRE clearance and complete its closure. Partners and investors must also cancel their visas if they are sponsored by the company.

Can I close a company if I still have outstanding liabilities?

No. All debts, utility bills, lease obligations, loans, and creditor payments must be settled before liquidation can be completed. The liquidator’s final report must confirm that there are no outstanding liabilities.

What is the purpose of the 45-day liquidation notice?

The notice allows creditors to submit claims before the company is dissolved. The DET will not approve final cancellation until this statutory period has passed and the liquidator confirms that no valid objections remain.

Are there any specific approvals required for regulated business activities?

Yes. Some sectors require external approvals from authorities such as the Dubai Municipality, DHA, KHDA, Civil Defence, RTA, or the Securities and Commodities Authority. The DET cannot issue the final deregistration certificate until all external approvals are obtained.

Can I reopen a business in the UAE after closing my company?

Yes. Once your mainland company is formally closed and all liabilities are settled, you may start a new business without restrictions, provided no violations or outstanding penalties remain on the previous licence.

What are the consequences of not cancelling a trade licence?

Failure to cancel a trade licence leads to ongoing DET fines, unresolved MOHRE and GDRFA liabilities, and possible legal complications. The company will remain active in government records until the closure process is completed.

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Mainland Business Closure Services in the UAE

Complete Company Liquidation and Licence Cancellation via EGSH

EGSH is an authorised government services centre assisting business owners with the complete mainland company closure process under the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

Through EGSH, clients complete all mandatory steps for closing a mainland business—including liquidation documentation, government clearances, cancellation of visas, publication of the required notice period, and final licence cancellation through the DET’s official system.

Why EGSH:

Authorised centre coordinating with the DET, the MOHRE, the GDRFA, utility providers, and registered liquidators
Full procedural guidance with accurate document preparation
VIP, queue-free service
Transparent, government-regulated fees

Most mainland company closures in Dubai follow a multi-step liquidation process. The final deregistration certificate is issued once all clearances, notices, and approvals are completed.

Complete Company Liquidation and Licence Cancellation via EGSH

Visit EGSH

Visit our authorised centre during working hours—no prior appointment is required. You may also book your visit online at a convenient time.

Prepare Patent Documents

Our consultant assists you in preparing the technical description, claims, abstract, drawings, and required identification documents in accordance with the MoE standards.

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EGSH files your patent application through the MoE’s electronic platform. Government fees are paid directly by the applicant through the official payment systems.

Receive Your Patent Certificate

We monitor examination stages, assist with amendments or responses, and guide you until the MoE issues your patent certificate (subject to approval).

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You can stop by EGSH during working hours without an appointment or book your visit at a time that suits you best.

Address
Art of Living Mall, Al Barsha 2, Dubai

Operating hours
Monday — Saturday: 9:00 am — 5:00 pm
Sunday: Closed

Call +971 4 612 1810 WhatsApp

Technical Description and Claims

A full description of the invention, defining the problem solved, how it works, and the scope of protection you seek (claims), prepared according to the MoE’s patent-drafting standards.

Abstract and Supporting Drawings

A concise abstract summarising the invention, along with labelled technical drawings or diagrams that illustrate the structure, method or process being patented.

Applicant and Inventor Documents

Passport copies, Emirates ID (if applicable), and details of all inventors and applicants. For corporate applicants, a trade licence and authorised-signatory documentation are required.

Priority or PCT Documents (When Applicable)

Certified priority documents for foreign filings, or PCT national-phase entry documents, including the international search report and WO publication.

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VIP Service

Personal assistance and priority processing with no queues.

Affordable Fees

Official government rates with transparent, fixed pricing.

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Comprehensive range of UAE government services under one roof.

One-Visit Completion

Most procedures are completed in a single visit to the centre.

What Is Mainland Business Closure in the UAE

Mainland business closure is the formal legal procedure through which a UAE mainland company is dissolved and its trade licence cancelled by the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). The procedure ensures that the business is removed from the commercial register, all labour and immigration obligations are discharged, and no financial or contractual liabilities remain outstanding at the time of deregistration.

Under UAE commercial law, formal licence cancellation is mandatory for all mainland entities—sole establishments, civil companies, LLCs, partnerships, and joint-stock companies. Failure to complete the procedure results in continuous fines for licence non-renewal, labour violations, and unresolved immigration records.

For legal entities with share capital (LLCs, partnerships, PJSC/PrJSC), closure requires a statutory liquidation process:

Issuing a notarised shareholders’ resolution confirming dissolution;
Appointing a DET-approved liquidator;
Publishing a 45-day creditor announcement in two local newspapers;
Submitting initial and final liquidation reports.

Sole establishments and civil companies do not undergo liquidation but must obtain all required government clearances before cancellation.

DET coordinates with the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE) for labour and firm-card cancellation, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA Dubai) for the cancellation of partner and employee visas, and the relevant utilities provider for account closure. Only once all clearances and liquidation documents are submitted and approved will the DET issue the Certificate of Deregistration, formally confirming that the company no longer exists as a legal economic entity.

A properly executed mainland business closure protects shareholders from future liability, ensures creditor rights, and prevents the accumulation of regulatory penalties.

When Mainland Business Closure Is Required

Mainland business closure is required whenever a company intends to cease operations and no longer maintain an active DET trade licence. UAE regulations require formal cancellation in the following situations:

Permanent cessation of activity. When the business will no longer conduct commercial, professional, or industrial operations on the mainland.
Liquidation of companies with share capital. LLCs, partnerships, and joint-stock companies must initiate statutory liquidation, appoint a liquidator, and resolve all creditor claims.
Corporate restructuring, merger, or consolidation. If a company is merging with another entity or its legal structure is being discontinued, the existing licence must be formally cancelled.
Inability to meet regulatory or financial obligations. Companies unable to maintain office premises, sponsor employees, meet licensing conditions, or fulfil financial commitments must proceed with closure to prevent further penalties.
Expired or non-renewed trade licences. Non-renewal does not terminate a company. Formal cancellation is required to stop penalties and clear the entity from official records.
Voluntary dissolution or court-ordered liquidation. A company must be deregistered when partners agree to dissolve it or when a court mandates liquidation under UAE commercial law.

Failure to complete the statutory closure procedure leaves the company active in DET records and results in continuing fines, unresolved immigration liabilities, and restrictions on future business activities for partners or managers.

How the Mainland Business Closure Procedure Works

Mainland business closure follows a regulated multi-stage process overseen by the DET, with required clearances from federal and local authorities.

Initiating dissolution and liquidation (if applicable).
LLCs, partnerships, and joint-stock companies issue a notarised resolution confirming dissolution and appoint a registered liquidator.

DET reviews the application and issues the Initial Liquidation Certificate, authorising the liquidator to begin financial examination.

Sole establishments and civil companies initiate a direct licence cancellation request without liquidation steps.

Statutory 45-day creditor notification
For companies undergoing liquidation, the liquidator publishes a notice in two local newspapers. The 45-day period allows creditors to submit claims. The DET cannot proceed to final deregistration until this mandatory period has elapsed.
Obtaining government clearances
The DET requires evidence that the company has no pending liabilities with federal or local authorities. Clearances typically include:

MOHRE—cancellation of the firm card and labour contracts.
GDRFA—cancellation of partner, investor, and employee visas.
Utilities (DEWA/SEWA/Authority)—settlement of accounts and service disconnection.
Tenancy/Ejari—cancellation of the lease record.
Activity-based approvals—for regulated sectors such as healthcare, engineering, education, transport, food safety, or financial services.

No deregistration can be issued until all relevant records and sponsored individuals have been cleared.

Final liquidation report and deregistration

After the notice period and settlement of all liabilities, the liquidator issues the Final Liquidation Report. The DET reviews the report, verifies all clearances, settles applicable fees, and issues the Certificate of Deregistration, confirming legal dissolution.

This process ensures creditor protection, regulatory compliance, and accurate removal of the company from the UAE Commercial Register.

Documents & Requirements for Mainland Business Closure

The documents and clearances required for mainland business closure depend on the company’s legal form, the presence of employees, and whether liquidation is mandatory.

Company Structure Requirements
LLCs, partnerships and joint-stock companies must complete statutory liquidation, which includes a notarised shareholders’ resolution, appointment of a DET-approved liquidator, issuance of the initial and final liquidation reports, and a 45-day newspaper announcement for creditor claims. Sole establishments and civil companies follow a simplified cancellation process and proceed directly with obtaining the necessary government clearances.
Labour & Immigration Requirements
All labour and residency records must be closed before the DET can cancel the licence. This involves cancelling employment visas and labour contracts, closing the MOHRE firm card, and cancelling partner or investor visas through the GDRFA. No deregistration can take place while any active visa remains linked to the company.

Financial & Contractual Requirements
The business must settle all outstanding liabilities, including creditor payments, utility balances, tenancy obligations (Ejari cancellation), and any pending government fines. For companies undergoing liquidation, the liquidator confirms full settlement of obligations before issuing the final report.
Regulatory & Sector-Specific Requirements
Companies operating in regulated sectors must obtain additional approvals from the competent authorities, such as the Ministry of Economy, Securities and Commodities Authority, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Health Authority, Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Civil Defence, Roads and Transport Authority, or sector-specific regulators. The DET will only issue the deregistration certificate once all required approvals have been secured.

Official Fees for Mainland Business Closure in the UAE

Official fees for mainland business closure depend on the company’s legal form, whether liquidation is required, and the number of clearances involved.

Companies with shares (LLCs, partnerships, joint-stock companies)

Typical components include:

Fee for issuing the Initial Liquidation Certificate
Newspaper publication charges for the 45-day creditor notices
Fee for the Final Deregistration Certificate
Professional fees charged by the appointed liquidator (determined based on company structure, number of transactions, liabilities, and required reporting).

Sole establishments and civil companies

These entities do not require a liquidator. Costs usually include:

DET cancellation fee
MOHRE and GDRFA clearance-related fees
Utility clearance costs, if applicable.

Additional fees

Depending on the company’s activities and regulatory footprint, additional fees may apply for:

Approvals from the Ministry of Economy, the Securities and Commodities Authority, the Dubai Health Authority, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, the Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Municipality, and any other sector‑specific regulators.
Ejari cancellation, tenancy settlement, or certified document issuance
Outstanding government fines.

These fees vary case by case and are governed by the official schedules of DET and the relevant authorities.

Department of Dubai Economic Services at EGSH

Explained by

Shaimaa Sayed Qasem

Department of Dubai Economic Services at EGSH

Shaimaa Sayed Qasem is a dedicated service provider at the Department of Dubai Economic Services at EGSH, with seven years of experience delivering business services, supporting clients and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Mainland Business Closure in the UAE

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