Compliance Services in UAE – Corporate Compliance for Business Setup, Governance & Taxation

Compliance Services in UAE

Corporate Compliance for Business Setup, Governance & Taxation

Stay Legally Sound with End-to-End Regulatory Support Across Mainland, Free Zones & Offshore Jurisdictions Regulatory compliance in UAE is much more than a legal obligation; it is a fundamental pillar for long-term business success (and the avoidance of penalties). When operating in UAE Mainland, Free Zone, or Offshore jurisdiction, companies must acknowledge and comply with an almost-overwhelming list of regulatory requirements, often subject to state or free zone authority approval deadlines. Examples include the Economic Substance Regulations (ESR), Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO), UAE Corporate Tax registration, anti-money laundering obligations, adherence to the Wages Protection System (WPS), and obligations to labour laws under MoHRE, just to name a few. Missing regulatory compliance requirements can come with state or free zone authorities imposed financial penalties, suspension of your license, blocking of your visa processes or even to being shut down entirely! Your recourse would be appealing to the authority, and it's fair to assume the amount of time and expense you must invest in appealing these decisions would probably exceed that of complying with the initial regulations!

Why Every UAE Business Must File UBO Details

What Is UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Ownership) Filing and Why Is It Mandatory?

UBO regulations require UAE businesses to disclose who ultimately controls or benefits from the company. This includes identifying real shareholders—even if they operate through other legal entities or nominees. Failure to file or update UBO data can result in:

Our compliance consultants will ensure accurate UBO disclosures are filed, updated when needed, and supported by the correct documentation.

End-to-end support for all your business compliance needs.

What Compliance Services Do We Offer?

We help ensure your business meets all UAE compliance requirements including:

Economic Substance Regulation (ESR) Compliance & Filing

Our consulting services help your company evaluate whether the ESR applies, the preparation of substance declarations, maintaining local substance, and file ESR reports into the Ministry of Finance. Timely and accurate submissions are critical to avoiding fines.

UAE Corporate Tax Registration & FTA Policies

Put your business on the new UAE Corporate Tax regulations with us. We have dedicated compliance team to address your corporate taxation registration with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) under the new legislation and provide you advice on your structure and reporting requirements under the 2024 rules.

FREE ZONE Governance, Board Resolutions & Filing Support

We will support Free Zone companies to prepare Board Resolutions, advise Board on shareholders process updates, license renewals, approvals, and regulatory filings from the relevant free zones, where applicable, e.g., DMCC, IFZA, RAKEZ, DAFZA.

Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) Declarations & MOE Portals

Our consulting services can help you identify the true beneficial owners of your company, structure your shareholder information to identify UBO's and report your UBO disclosures using the MOE Portal, which helps you avoid administrative penalties if your business is subsequently sanctioned, or incurred financial fines.

Labour Contract Audits and Visa Compliance Support

We'll review your employee contracts, check compliance with MoHRE, manage visa status, and review onboarding/termination procedures to ensure they are met legally, minimizing the risk of audits or fines against your business.

VAT Registration, Return Filing assistance & Audit Preparation

We will manage the registration process for your company for VAT, help with monthly/quarterly returns and prepare for FTA audits. Overall we ensure that you are compliant for VAT in alignment with your business activity.

What Is ESR (Economic Substance Regulation) and Why Does It Matter?

Economic Substance Regulations applies to relevant activities conducted in the UAE, such as consultancy, holding, shipping, financing and intellectual property. Also, not submitting would mean you are liable for significant financial penalties imposed on the entity, an increased risk of audit, or possible suspension of your entities license. We determine the type of activity you undertake in the UAE, if the Economic Substance Regulations applies, we will file your notification timely, then subsequently prepare and support you in the submission of a compliant Economic Substance report with the UAE Ministry of Finance.

Essential for all businesses to meet legal and regulatory standards.

Who Needs Compliance Services in the UAE?

Mainland Companies with Diverse Multi-National Activities

Mainland LLCs and branch offices operating in multiple jurisdictions must comply with ESR, Corporate Tax, and MoHRE standards while holding clean ownership structures to provide bank and legal compliance review.

DNFBPs (Real Estate, Legal, Accounting and Gold Trading Firms)

Designated Non-Financial Businesses & Professions are under strict anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) regulations under UAE law, and they must register goAML and appoint a Compliance Officer, and complete risk assessments.

Businesses Onboarding Expat Workers in WPS & Labour Compliance

Companies selecting expatriates must ensure employee contracts adhere to UAE Labour Law, support WPS salary files, and go through MoHRE compliant onboarding/termination processes.

Businesses Undergoing Comprehensive VAT, Tax or MoHRE Audits

Businesses or other entities subject to government audit must provide appropriate financial, tax, payroll and labour documentation. We will help them to prepare and review everything they need to ensure they know what to expect, and are secure to provide best practice processes for quick clearance.

Free Zone Companies Expanding, Restructuring, or Under Audit

Free Zone Companies, like DMCC, IFZA, RAKEZ, or DAFZA will face compliance review when they expand, restructure their shareholder arrangement, or during their annual statutory audit-by their CPA. We will review company structure, filing requirements for UBO, submissions for resolutions of the Board of Directors, and registrable VAT or ESR review to ensure the taxation procedures are aligned.

Offshore Companies that Require /provide ESR Obligations for UBO holdings

Offshore companies (e.g. RAK ICC, JAFZA Offshore) must disclose UBOs, file ESR reports, and have annual compliance filings to maintain it active and legally to operate bank business in the UAE.

Penalties, license issues, and reputational damage await the non-compliant.

What Are the Risks of Non-Compliance?

License Suspension or Cancelation from Free Zone or Mainland Authority

Failure to meet mandatory filing obligations, such as ESR, UBO or Corporate Tax obligations may result in suspension or cancelation of your business license, and not only result in you halting your operations, but also your legal business status in Dubai and the UAE.

Significant Fines Up to AED 500,000 based on the level of violation

Regulatory authorities such as FTA, MoHRE, or Free Zones will impose financial penalties if there is a non-compliance. Non-compliance could include filing tax returns, labour documentation, or an AML obligation. Fines can range from AED 10,000 for minor violations, but in the case of serious violations, they can be as high as AED 500,000.*

Non-approval of Visas or Immigration Applications due to Filings not Being Correct

MoHRE and immigration departments have compliance requirements of up to date labour contracts, WPS submissions, and employee company documents. This means that every time there is an error or delay, there is a risk that visas will be non-approved, affecting recruitment and mobility of staff.

Delays to Bank Approvals or Receiving a Credit Facilities

Banks in the UAE are inherently risk-averse and perform thorough KYC and compliance checks prior to approving account openings or credit facilities. Six compliance issues that may delay or deny a business’ bank accounts or credit facilities are an incomplete ESR/UBO declaration (ultimate beneficial ownership); resolving deficiencies in the MOAs; tax issues; or tax audits.

Increased Audit or Enforcement Risk from the FTA or MoHRE

Non-compliant businesses raise flags for FTA/Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) audit assessments, including unannounced audits; tax reassessments; and reviews of employee paperwork. Unannounced audits can gravely disrupt business operations and lead to increased legal exposure.

Legal Liability for Directors and Shareholders for Regulatory Breach

In certain circumstances, the failure to comply with UAE laws, can also mean individual directors or shareholders are legally liable personally. Individual liability can include fines, disqualification, or even criminal liability for significant regulatory breaches

Why Choose dubaisetupnow for Compliance Services?

At dubaisetupnow, we have more experience dealing with UAE compliance requirements that cross Mainland, Free Zone, and Offshore jurisdiction lines than any other compliance expert in the business. Our team has extensive knowledge of the UAE regulatory ecosystem, including Economic Substance Regulations (ESR), Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO), VAT, WPS, and Corporate Tax obligations. We constantly monitor your deadlines and provide you with the best advice on how to ensure your filings with the Ministry of Finance (MOF) and the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) are submitted correctly and on time. It does not matter whether you are starting a new startup or an ongoing Legacy company structure, our fully managed compliance services include everything from audit readiness through to trade license renewal and corporate governance housekeeping. The pricing is completely transparent and there are no hidden compliance fees. The legal compliance is local based on global compliance standards. dubaisetupnow will keep your company fully compliant while you concentrate on growing your business and maximising profits.

How Can We Help You?

Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support

What is corporate compliance in the UAE, and why is it important?

Corporate compliance in the UAE is about fulfilling regulatory requirements such as ESR, UBO, Corporate Tax, VAT, AML/CFT, and labour laws. Corporate compliance involves making legally sound business decisions while avoiding possible fines or penalties, and making sure that your business can continue to be licensed, visaed, and banked.

Who must file the Economic Substance Regulations (ESR) in the UAE?

Certain businesses that carry on "relevant activities" such as holding companies, consulting, shipping, and intellectual property must adhere to ESR. The ESR filing includes an ESR notification filing and ESR report filed with the UAE Ministry of Finance portal.

What will happen if I forget my UBO filing deadlines?

Failing to file an inaccurate UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Ownership) declaration may result in a fine of not less than AED 100,000, suspension of your license, an investigation by the Free Zone authority or DED authority. UBO filing is mandatory for all businesses incorporated in the UAE.

Is Corporate Tax mandatory for Free Zone companies in the UAE?

Yes, it is. While qualifying Free Zone entities may qualify for 0% tax, it is mandatory to register with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA) and subject to compliant reporting even if they are exempt.

Do small business and start-ups need compliance services in the UAE?

Yes. Just like big companies, start-ups and SMEs must comply with UBO, ESR, MoHRE and tax regulations, and as well, any delay or failure to comply will impede growth and therefore impact your ability to access banking or visas.

How do dubaisetupnow provide VAT registration and return support elsewhere in the business set up service?

We provide assistance registering for VAT, preparing and filing quarterly VAT returns, supports businesses becoming audit ready with the FTA, and confirming if your business generates income above the revenue threshold and is mandated for registration.

What is AML/CFT compliance, and who needs to comply?

Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing compliance is for specifically defined designating non-financial businesses and persons' (DNFBPs) to who specifically include professionals in real estate, accountancy and legal services. It is comprised of an internal policy, risk assessments, and goAML registration.

What is the Wages Protection System (WPS), and how do I comply?

WPS is a regulated salary payment system through the Ministry of Human Resource and Emiratisation (MoHRE). We will produce compliant salary files, liaise with banks, and ensure complete payroll alignment to reduce the risk of penalties with MoHRE.

Will dubaisetupnow help during an audit conducted by the government?

Yes. We provide full audit readiness services- including ESR (Economic Substance Regulation), UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Ownership), VAT (Value Added Tax), labour and license documentation - to you so you can be sure your company is fully compliant and ready for the review by the FTA (Federal Tax Authority) or MoHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation).

What are the possible penalties for UAE businesses for not staying compliant?

Non-compliance can result in suspension of your license, penalties of up to AED 500,000, delays in receiving visas, bank account blocks, more audits, mistrust from investors, and even personal liability for directors.

Accurate books. Timely returns. Zero penalties.

Stay 100% Compliant. Avoid Penalties. Focus on Growth.

If you’re finding it difficult to stay ahead of ESR, UBO, VAT, Corporate Tax, or WPS obligations in the UAE, you’re not alone. Navigating complex MoHRE inspections, Free Zone renewals, and changing regulatory frameworks can overwhelm even the most organized businesses. That’s where dubaisetupnow comes in. As your dedicated compliance partner, we handle every detail—ensuring your company remains fully aligned with UAE laws across Mainland, Free Zones, and Offshore jurisdictions. From tax filings and payroll compliance to legal structuring and AML readiness, our expert-led solutions safeguard your operations, protect your license, and give you total peace of mind.

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