Welcome to your corporate partners & associates in Dubai
- Call us: +971 55 441 1036
- Mail US : info@dawnconsultancy.com
- ADD US : dawn.consultancy
- Call us: +971 55 441 1036
- Mail US : info@dawnconsultancy.com
- ADD US : dawn.consultancy
Company Liquidation Services in Dubai and the UAE
Dawn Consultancy is an approved liquidator for mainland LLCs, free zone companies and offshore companies across the UAE. We have completed more than 700 company liquidations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman, acting as the appointed liquidator, preparing the final audit and liquidator’s report, and obtaining every clearance needed to cancel the trade licence. If you need to close a company in the UAE, this page explains how the process works, what it involves and how long it takes.
Who can act as liquidator in the UAE
A UAE company cannot simply stop trading and let the licence lapse; that leads to accumulating fines, blocked visas and, for the owners, potential personal exposure. The Commercial Companies Law and each free zone’s regulations require a formal liquidation conducted by a licensed liquidator, normally a registered audit firm approved by the relevant authority. Dawn Consultancy, part of Aabi Chartered Accountants, is approved as liquidator by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and by the major free zones including DMCC, JAFZA, DAFZA, DSO, DIFC, IFZA, RAKEZ and SAIF Zone.
Mainland LLC liquidation (Dubai DET and other emirates)
- Shareholders’ resolution to dissolve the company and appoint Dawn Consultancy as liquidator, notarised before the notary public (or signed abroad and attested).
- Liquidator’s acceptance letter and application to DET for liquidation initial approval.
- Publication of the liquidation notice in two local newspapers, opening a 45-day period for creditor claims.
- Cancellation of employee visas and work permits through MOHRE and the immigration authority, then the establishment card.
- Clearances from DEWA/SEWA/ADDC, Etisalat/du, Dubai Customs, the landlord (Ejari cancellation), RTA (vehicles) and any regulator relevant to the activity.
- Bank account closure and a no-liability letter from the bank.
- VAT and Corporate Tax deregistration with the Federal Tax Authority: VAT within 20 business days of ceasing taxable supplies, Corporate Tax within three months of cessation, with final returns filed.
- Final audit and liquidator’s report confirming that assets have been realised and liabilities settled.
- Licence cancellation and issue of the DET dissolution certificate.
For a company with no employees, no liabilities and closed tax registrations, the process runs six to eight weeks after the newspaper notice period. Companies with visas, customs guarantees or open tax positions take longer.
Free zone company liquidation
Each free zone runs its own procedure through its portal, but the structure is the same: resolution, liquidator appointment, notice period, visa and immigration closure, clearances, final audit and liquidator’s report, licence cancellation. Timelines range from two to four months depending on the authority. We have dedicated pages for the zones we work with most:
- DMCC company liquidation
- JAFZA company liquidation
- DAFZA company liquidation
- Dubai Silicon Oasis company liquidation
- DIFC company liquidation
- SAIF Zone company liquidation
Offshore company liquidation
JAFZA Offshore, RAK ICC and Ajman Offshore companies are dissolved through their registered agent. The registrar requires a directors’ and shareholders’ resolution, a solvency confirmation, settlement of outstanding registered-agent and registry fees, and in some cases final accounts. As a registered agent we file the dissolution and obtain the certificate of dissolution, typically within four to eight weeks.
What Dawn Consultancy handles
- Drafting all resolutions, acceptance letters and applications
- Portal submissions to DET or the free zone authority and payment tracking
- Newspaper publication and creditor correspondence
- Visa, labour and immigration cancellations through our PRO team
- Utility, telecom, customs, landlord and regulator clearances
- Bank closure coordination
- VAT and Corporate Tax deregistration and final returns
- Final audit and liquidator’s report
- Licence cancellation and collection of the dissolution certificate
Shareholders abroad can complete the entire process by power of attorney; no travel to the UAE is required for most liquidations.
Documents to start a liquidation
- Trade licence and memorandum of association (with all amendments)
- Passport and Emirates ID copies of shareholders and manager
- Establishment card and list of employees and visas
- Latest audited financial statements and current trial balance
- Bank statements for the last 12 months
- VAT and Corporate Tax registration certificates
- Lease agreement and utility account details
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to liquidate a company in Dubai?
Costs comprise authority fees (which vary by licence type and free zone), newspaper publication, and the liquidator’s professional fee. Send us the trade licence and we will quote a fixed fee within one working day.
Can I close my company if it has unpaid fines?
Fines and liabilities must be settled or negotiated before the licence can be cancelled. We review the position first and advise on the cheapest route.
What happens if I just let the licence expire?
Renewal fines accrue, visas linked to the company cannot be cancelled cleanly, the company remains liable for tax filings, and the owners may face restrictions on future licences. A formal liquidation is almost always cheaper than leaving a company dormant.
Do I need to deregister for VAT and Corporate Tax?
Yes. Both registrations must be cancelled with the Federal Tax Authority and final returns filed; failure to do so attracts penalties even after the licence is cancelled.
How long does a company liquidation take in the UAE?
Mainland: roughly two to three months including the 45-day notice period. Free zones: two to four months depending on the authority. Offshore: four to eight weeks.
Free zones we serve
UAE Company Setup UAE Audit Firms UAE Internal Auditors UAE Free Zone Auditors Dubai Forensic Auditors Company Liquidation Services DIFC audit & Liquidation DMCC Audit & Liquidation DAFZA Audit & Liquidation DSO Audit & Liquidation JAFZA Audit & Liquidation
Start your liquidation
Email the trade licence to info@dawnconsultancy.com, call +971 55 441 1036, or request a call back. We will confirm the authority procedure, list the clearances required and send a fixed-fee quotation.