Nominee Director and Shareholder Services in Dubai

You can rely on us for nominee director and shareholder services in the UAE – Dubai. Below, our lawyers in Dubai explain what this service implies.

Quick Facts
Nominee shareholder/director service availability in Dubai (YES/NO)	Yes, it is possible to appoint nominee directors and shareholders.
Support in hiring a nominee shareholder (YES/NO)	Yes, our specialists can offer this service.
Legislation applicable	Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 on Commercial Companies; Cabinet Decision No. 109 of 2023 on beneficial ownership
Minimum number of shareholders in a company in Dubai	– 1 for a limited liability company (maximum 50), – 2 for a private joint stock company (or 1 corporate owner), – 5 founders for a public joint stock company
Minimum number of shareholders in a Dubai free zone	1 or 2, depending on the free zone and type of company
Director requirements in a company	– 1 for private companies, – at least 3 (a management board) for joint stock companies
Director requirements in a Dubai free zone company	Usually 1 director is sufficient; requirements vary by free zone.
Corporate shareholders/director appointment possibility (YES/NO)	Yes, both corporate shareholders and directors can be appointed.
Possibility to appoint foreign shareholders/directors in a Dubai company (YES/NO)	Yes; foreign shareholders do not need UAE residence permits.
What is a nominee?	A nominee is a service provider whose name is used to cover the function of a shareholder or director.
When can a nominee shareholder/director be appointed	Such services are usually used to protect beneficial owners and to meet the requirements imposed by the Companies Law.
How to appoint a nominee shareholder/director in Dubai	Nominees are appointed through service contracts.
Requirement to register nominee shareholders/directors with the Dubai Trade Register (YES/NO)	Yes
Who can provide nominee services in Dubai?	– specialized agencies, – law firms
Requirement to disclose information about the nominee shareholders/directors	Yes, the Trade Register maintains an Ultimate Beneficial Owner Registry.

Is it legal to appoint a nominee director/ shareholder in Dubai?

Yes, as this is a service offered by professionals. Moreover, should you want to, you can also appoint a nominee secretary. If you need either of the two services, you can rely on our law firm in Dubai, which specializes in offering such solutions.

When can I use a nominee director/ shareholder in Dubai?

Companies in the UAE must comply with specific requirements; a local director is not generally required, but some clients prefer one. When this condition cannot be fulfilled, a nominee director can be appointed.

The nominee shareholder, on the other hand, is used for beneficial ownership purposes.

Also, such a service can be used when you need to:

register a company in mainland Dubai and obtain specific licenses for which a local shareholder or director must be appointed;
appoint a local agent to complete the application for a professional license.

Who can offer nominee services in Dubai?

professional corporate service providers;
accounting firms;
consulting companies;
law firms, including our Dubai lawyers, who are members of the Dubai Bar Association.

Here is also an infographic on the nominee services available in Dubai:

What is the role of a nominee director in Dubai?

The nominee director is appointed to ensure credibility among clients and business partners; however, the appointee has no decision-making power in your Dubai company.

What are the duties/ responsibilities of a Dubai nominee director?

Among the responsibilities of a nominee director in the UAE, we mention the following:

to act in the best interest of the company and its shareholders;
to represent the business in aspects in which the service provider is allowed to by contract;
to comply with the legal requirements imposed by the law;
to respect other agreements reached with the company’s shareholders.

What is the role of a nominee shareholder in Dubai?

The nominee shareholder is designated to hold company shares on your behalf, enabling you to become a beneficial owner in the business.

IMPORTANT! Please note that your name must still be recorded in the Companies Register database and the Ultimate Beneficial Owner Register.

How can I benefit from nominee director/ shareholder services in Dubai?

The service is based on a contract between you, as a client, and the provider, which can be our law firm in Dubai.

What are the protection tools I have when appointing a nominee director/ shareholder in Dubai?

the power of attorney through which you designate the exact duties and responsibilities of the nominee;
the trust declaration, which is signed when appointing a nominee shareholder, and through which you can make sure the shares are held on your behalf.

Based on these documents, the nominees will only act based on the instructions of the company owner.

Why should I appoint a nominee director/ shareholder in Dubai?

The nominee will act as a resident director or shareholder, which can give your company local substance. It can also offer easier access to business loans, for example.

What is the period for which I can use a nominee director/ shareholder service in Dubai?

You decide for how long. Most contracts are signed for one year, and upon satisfaction with the service, it can be renewed.

Can I use nominees in Dubai free zones?

Dubai free zones are known for the advantages they offer to foreign investors. As such, nominee directors or shareholders are not often used in these zones. However, they can be employed by those who want to reduce the time they spend in the respective free zone or who simply want to have a local presence there to handle the relationship with the authorities.

If you find yourself in this position and need nominee services, do not hesitate to contact our Dubai lawyers for professional solutions. Besides nominee director and shareholder services, our lawyers can also help you open a company in Dubai.