Details that must be provided to JAFZA until 15th of April 2021:
- Ownership
- Ultimate Beneficial Owners
- Business Model of entity
- Financial Records
- General information including lawyers, banks, and auditors
- Information on customers and employees
A UBO is defined as a natural person controlling or owning at 25% percent of the company’s issued share capital, either through direct or indirect control or chain of ownership. A UBO is also any natural person that has control over the dismissal and appointment of a majority of company directors.
Non-compliance with the obligation to file the UBO-declaration within the set timeline will lead to the exposure to penalties through the relevant authority.
The UBOr Tracker complements M/HQ’s “Which Free Zone for Which Purpose” guide – see here –, a comparison of UAE’s major free zones, their core focus, key features, and USPs.
These two sources will help you and/or your clients determine which free zone is most suitable for every specific business concept, and meet your ongoing compliance obligations.
| Authority | Mode of submission | Submission Deadline |
| Dubai Multi Commodities Center (DMCC) | DMCC portal | At time of incorporation Thereafter, at time of material change of UBO |
| Dubai South / Dubai Aviation City Corporation (DACC) | Via email followed by original by hand |
27/10/2020 At the time of renewal Thereafter, within 15 days from time of material change of UBO |
| Ras Al Khaimah International Corporate Centre (RAKICC) | RAK ICC Agent’s portal | No requirement to file if UBO details submitted in or after 2019, and No material change of BO since then Thereafter, within 15 days from time of material change of UBO |
| Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) | RAKEZ portal | 27/10/2020 Thereafter, within 15 days from time of material change of UBO |
| Sharjah International Airport Freezone (SAIF Zone) | SAIF Zone Investor portal | 27/10/2020 Thereafter, within 15 days from time of material change of UBO |
| Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA) | UBO Form via Dubai Trade Portal | 15/04/2021 Thereafter, within 15 days from time of material change of UBO |
| Ajman Free Zone (AFZA) | AFZA portal | 27/10/2020 Thereafter, within 15 days from time of material change of UBO |
| Dubai Development Authority (DDA) | AXS portal | 30/09/2020 Thereafter, within 15 days from time of material change of UBO |
| Umm Al Quwain Free Trade Zone (UAQ FTZ) | N/A | At time of incorporation Thereafter, within 15 days from time of material change of UBO |
| Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZ) | Via portal https://eportal.hfza.ae/OsWeb/ |
27/10/2020 Thereafter, within 15 days from time of material change of UBO |
| Department of Economic Development (DED) – Dubai / Abu Dhabi | Original submitted over the counter | 27/10/2020 Thereafter within 15 days from time of material change of UBO |
| Fujairah Free Zone Authority (FFZA) | Original printed on company letterhead and submitted by hand | At time of incorporation At time of renewal At time of material change of UBO |
| Dubai Health Care City (DHCC) | TBA | TBA |
| International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) | TBA | TBA |
| Creative City Fujairah Free Zone (CCFZ) | TBA | TBA |
| Sharjah Media City Free Zone (SHAMS) | Online (refer to link) | 27/10/2020 Thereafter, within 15 days from time of material change of UBO |
| Khalifa Industrial Zone (KIZAD) | Original submitted by hand | 27/10/2020 Thereafter, within 15 days from time of material change of UBO |
| Abu Dhabi Free Zone (ADFZ) | Original submitted by hand | 27/10/2020 Thereafter, within 15 days from time of material change of UBO |
How we can assist
M/HQ can assist you to comply with the Resolution by maintaining your entity’s statutory registers and minute books, which comprise the (i) shareholders’ register; (ii) beneficial owners’ (the BO(s)) register, and (iii) nominee directors’ register.
The above assistance is part of our corporate secretarial services, which can be tailored as per your entities’ specific needs.
We have designed two (2) different corporate secretarial services packages, ready to go. Whether a start-up, a high growth company or a blue-chip company, we have the right offering at the right value point for your organization:
We would be happy to discuss your company secretarial needs in-depth, helping you comply with the Resolution and find the most cost and time-effective solution to meet your administrative and statutory compliance responsibilities.
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