Find a local sponsor for your UAE mainland business
The UAE now allows 100% foreign ownership and control of mainland companies, excluding certain economic activities with strategic significance.
If your mainland business requires a local sponsor in Dubai, our corporate nominee sponsorship program helps guarantee you have 100% beneficial ownership and 100% operational and financial control.
Set up your mainland company with 100% ownership and control
In 2020, the UAE revised its Commercial Companies Law to allow full foreign ownership of mainland companies (also known as onshore companies) in more than 1,000 commercial and industrial activities.
This means foreign investors can now start a mainland business without a local partner or sponsor, who used to hold at least 51% of the company.
However, specific business activities still require a local sponsor, which can be a UAE national or a corporate entity that is either completely owned by UAE nationals or composed of a board of directors.
If your mainland activities do require a local partner, Virtuzone can provide you with a premier corporate nominee who will act as your local sponsor, guaranteeing you have 100% financial and operational control while protecting your shareholder rights.
Advantages of Virtuzone’s corporate nominee sponsorship program
Virtuzone’s corporate sponsorship solution offers the same advantages as dealing with an individual sponsor, while providing services designed to address challenges that may arise.
With our corporate sponsorship service, you’ll benefit from:
Zero interference from the sponsor
Maintain 100% control and decision-making rights over your company, including management of your staff, clients and products or services. As a rule, the corporate local sponsor does not get involved in your mainland company's day-to-day operations.
An easy and streamlined process
Our team will manage the process from start to finish, so you don’t have to meet with different government agencies to sort out the local sponsorship requirements for your mainland business.
In-depth proactive contracts
We will help you prepare and enforce detailed contracts and agreements drafted by first-tier legal counsel, making sure your rights as a business owner and shareholder are fully protected.
Business activities that require a local sponsor
The following economic activities are deemed to have a strategic impact on the UAE, which means foreign owners or investors will still need a local sponsor if they wish to do business in these industries.
- Banking and financing
- Insurance services
- Bank note or coin production
- Security and defence activities
- Activities of a military nature
- Telecommunications
- TV and broadcasting
- Commercial agencies
- Fish catching
- Natural pearl catching
- Marine animals catching
- Hajj & umrah organizing
- Holy Quran recitation institute
To view a more comprehensive list, please click here.
Find a local sponsor for your UAE business
Leave your details and one of our advisors will reach out to discuss local sponsorship options for your mainland company.
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