UAE companies often need to amend their Memorandum of Association (MOA) to reflect changes in shareholders, share capital, business activities, or company name. Here is a complete guide to UAE MOA amendments.
When Does a UAE Company MOA Need to Be Amended?
A UAE mainland LLC MOA must be amended when: shareholders change (new shareholders join, existing shareholders transfer shares), share capital increases or decreases, business activities are added or removed from the licence, the company name changes, the company address changes (sometimes triggers a MOA update), or the manager/director changes. Free zone companies use an equivalent document — a Memorandum of Association or a Shareholders Agreement, depending on the free zone. Free zone amendment: each free zone has its own amendment process and forms.
UAE Mainland MOA Amendment Process
Step 1: Prepare the amended MOA. The amendment is drafted by a licensed UAE legal documents drafter (typing centre) or by a UAE lawyer. In Arabic (official language) and English (unofficial but standard practice to have both). Step 2: All shareholders sign the amendment at a Notary Public in the UAE. Step 3: Submit to the DED with the original MOA and supporting documents (current licence, shareholder passports, new shareholder documents if adding a new partner). Step 4: DED approves and issues an updated licence reflecting the amended MOA. Cost: AED 1,500–4,000 (government fees + typing centre fees). Processing time: 3–7 business days.
Shareholder Change (Share Transfer)
If shares are being sold/transferred between existing and new shareholders: the buyer and seller execute a share transfer agreement, the MOA is amended to reflect the new ownership, and the DED is notified. Government fee for share transfer: AED 1,000–3,000 depending on the emirate and capital amount. The new shareholder’s name appears in the commercial register after DED approval.