Company Shares Sale Registration in the UAE – Transfer Full or Partial Ownership

The shares sale process in the UAE involves the legal transfer of ownership from the seller to the buyer, either partially or in full. The transaction must be registered with the relevant authority—Dubai Land Department or free zone—to update the company’s legal records and trade licence. EGSH facilitates the full procedure, including document verification, system submission, and registration of the transfer of shares ownership in compliance with UAE regulations.

To transfer company shares in Dubai, the seller and the buyer must sign a notarised agreement and register the transaction with the Dubai Land Department or free zone authority, depending on the company’s licence. The process includes updating the trade licence, ownership records, and corporate documents. EGSH handles the full company shares transfer in the UAE, ensuring legal compliance, correct documentation, and timely registration of the change of shareholder.

To register a change of shareholder in Dubai, specific documents must be submitted, based on the legal form and licensing authority of the company. These are required to complete the shares ownership transfer and update all corporate records. For UAE mainland companies (e.g. LLCs, sole establishments, private joint-stock companies), the required documents include: Valid trade licence Memorandum and Articles of Association with all amendment annexes, if any Passport, UAE residence visa, and Emirates ID of the current owner or shareholders. For branches (local, foreign, or free zone), only the trade licence is required. For free zone companies, additional required documents include: Certificate of Incorporation or trade licence Memorandum and Articles of Association Amendment annexes, if any Passport, residence visa, and the owner’s Emirates ID No-objection letter from the free zone authority, if applicable. EGSH verifies and prepares all required documents before submitting them for official registration with the Dubai Land Department or relevant free zone authority.

A partial sale of business shares is legally permitted in the UAE and can be registered through the Dubai Land Department (DLD) or the relevant free zone authority. This process allows the current shareholder to retain a portion of ownership while transferring the remaining shares to a new partner. The shareholding amendment is documented through a notarised sale agreement and it is officially registered to update the company’s Memorandum of Association, trade licence, and shareholder records. EGSH handles the full legal procedure to sell shares in a Dubai company, including contract preparation, document verification, authority submission, and issuance of the Certificate of Title or Title Deed along with the payment receipt.

A notarised contract is a requirement for any company shares transaction in Dubai. It serves as the official legal instrument documenting the agreement between the seller and purchaser for the transfer of shares—whether full or partial. This notarised contract must be submitted to the DLD or the relevant free zone authority as part of the corporate shareholding registration process. Without a properly attested agreement, the change of ownership cannot be reflected in the trade licence or company records. EGSH ensures that your company shares-for-sale transaction complies with all legal procedures, including the preparation and notarisation of the transfer contract, document submission, and registration of the updated ownership structure.

Any change in company ownership—whether full or partial—must be reflected in the trade licence. The licensing authority will only recognise the new shareholder structure after the official amendment is registered. This update is a legal requirement under the UAE’s corporate regulations and ensures that all shareholder records, rights, and responsibilities are accurately maintained. EGSH manages the full amendment process, including documentation, application submission, and issuance of the updated trade licence.

The total cost of registering a sale of company shares in Dubai includes fees for both parties and may vary based on the transaction value. Both the seller and the purchaser must each pay a 2% registration fee, calculated on the sale value, along with AED 10 for Knowledge fees and AED 10 for Innovation fees. The purchaser is also required to pay AED 250 for the issuance of a new Certificate of Title or Title Deed. Additionally, service partner fees apply: AED 4,000 plus VAT if the transaction is AED 500,000 or more, or AED 2,000 plus VAT if it is below that threshold. EGSH ensures all government and service partner fees are accurately calculated and submitted through authorised channels as part of the company shares sale registration.

Foreign and free zone companies can register a share sale in Dubai, provided they follow the official legal procedure through the relevant licensing authority. For free zone entities, the process involves submitting a notarised share transfer agreement, updated corporate documents (such as the Memorandum of Association and any amendment annexes), and a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the free zone authority, if applicable. The registration is carried out through the free zone’s corporate services department. For foreign companies operating in Dubai (e.g. through branches or holding structures), the share sale must be documented with certified legal documents, such as a Certificate of Incorporation and a board resolution approving the transfer. Depending on the case, registration may require coordination with the Dubai Land Department or the relevant free zone regulator. EGSH assists with the full legal process, ensuring the share sale is properly documented, verified, and recorded in compliance with UAE corporate laws and regulations.

The legal transfer of company shares in Dubai typically takes 25 to 30 minutes when processed through EGSH as a licensed Real Estate Registration Trustee Centre. This applies to transactions under the Dubai Land Department. For free zone entities, timelines may vary depending on the specific authority. EGSH ensures all documents are prepared and verified in advance to complete the legal procedure to sell shares without delays.

Updating the Memorandum of Association (MOA) is a mandatory step after completing a company share sale in the UAE. The MOA must reflect the new shareholder structure, whether it involves a full or partial transfer of ownership. This ensures that the company’s legal documents remain consistent with its trade licence and official shareholder records. The amended MOA must be notarised and submitted to the relevant authority—either the Dubai Land Department or the free zone registrar—as part of the legal procedure to sell shares. EGSH prepares, amends, and submits all required corporate documents to complete the process in full legal compliance.