Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) Services
UAE companies must know who ultimately owns and controls them, keep a register of beneficial owners, partners and nominees, and file it with their registrar. We prepare and maintain it.
- 25% or moreOwnership test
- Cabinet Resolution No. 109 of 2023Legal basis
- Notify registrar promptlyChanges
How it works in the UAE
A beneficial owner is the individual who ultimately owns or controls 25% or more of the company’s shares or voting rights, or otherwise controls it. If no one meets the test, the person with control through other means, or a senior manager, is recorded.
Mainland and most free zone companies must keep a register of beneficial owners, a register of partners or shareholders and, where relevant, a nominee register, and submit them to the registrar. Changes must be notified within the required time. We map the ownership chain, prepare the registers and file updates.
What the service includes
UBO identification
Tracing ownership through holding companies and trusts.
Register preparation
Beneficial owner, shareholder and nominee registers.
Filing with the registrar
Submission to the licensing authority portal.
Change updates
Updates after share transfers or new directors.
Nominee arrangements
Disclosure of nominee shareholders and directors.
Compliance review
Checks during licence renewal and bank KYC.
Who it is for
- All mainland companies
- Free zone companies
- Groups with layered holding structures
- Companies changing shareholders
How we work with you
Map
We trace ownership to the individual level.
Prepare
Registers and declarations drafted.
File
Submission to the registrar.
Maintain
Updates whenever ownership changes.
Documents we usually need
- Trade licence and memorandum of association
- Shareholder register
- Passports of beneficial owners
- Corporate documents of holding companies
We confirm the exact list after a short review, as requirements vary by authority and case.
Questions we hear often
Who counts as a UBO in the UAE?
An individual who ultimately owns or controls 25% or more of shares or voting rights, or controls the company through other means.
Does every company need a UBO register?
Most mainland and free zone companies do. Some entities, such as those wholly owned by government and those in financial free zones with their own rules, have different requirements.
What if ownership changes?
The register must be updated and the registrar notified within the required time.
Is there a penalty for not filing?
Yes. Cabinet Resolution No. 109 of 2023 sets administrative penalties for failing to keep or file UBO information.
Related services
Get a fixed quote for ubo services
Tell us a little about your business. We will reply within one business day with what is needed, the timeline and a fixed fee.
- Straight answers from qualified accountants and tax agents
- Fixed fees agreed before we start
- Office in Al Fahidi, Dubai, and support across the UAE
An adviser will be in touch shortly. For anything urgent, message us on WhatsApp or call +971 56 505 9557.