Documents required for company setup
The checklist we send clients before incorporation.
Individual shareholders and managers
- Passport copy, valid for at least six months
- Passport-style photograph on a white background
- Proof of residential address, such as a utility bill or bank statement from the last three months
- UAE visa page or entry stamp, if in the UAE
- CV or professional profile (requested by some zones and most banks)
Corporate shareholders
- Certificate of incorporation
- Memorandum and articles of association
- Board resolution approving the UAE company and naming the authorised signatory
- Register of directors and shareholders, or an incumbency certificate
- Recent financial statements, for some zones
- A power of attorney for the representative
Corporate documents must be notarised, legalised in the home country and attested by the UAE embassy there, then by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Countries in the Hague Apostille Convention follow their apostille process where accepted. See Document attestation.
For the bank account
- Business plan with expected turnover, customers, suppliers and countries involved
- Source of funds and source of wealth evidence
- Personal bank statements for recent months
- Contracts or invoices showing real business activity, if available
For visas
- Passport copy and photograph
- Entry permit or current visa
- Medical fitness test and biometrics, done in the UAE
- For family: attested marriage and birth certificates
Common questions
Do documents need to be translated?
Documents not in English or Arabic need a legal translation into Arabic for most authorities. See Legal translation.
Official sources
We check our guidance against these official sources. Always confirm current fees and rules before acting.