Transfer of Shares (ownership)

Overview: A shareholder in UAE private/public company may transfer its shares to another legal entity or individual at any time. Shares must be transferred for a fair price.

Purpose: Transfer of shares of a private/public company

Main specifications:

• Multiple transfers may be performed
• Under certain conditions, the company itself can buy shares from a shareholder

Registering authority: UAE Trade Register

Term of registration: 7-10 working days

Personal presence: Optional

Conditions for registration:

• Shareholder – Minimum 1 (maximum – unlimited) natural/legal person of any nationality/jurisdiction
• Shares must be transferred for a fair price.

Required documents:

• Passport or Emirates ID card (for all associated persons)
• Proof of residential address not older than 3 months (for all associated natural persons)
• Extract from the Trade Register not older than 3 months (for all associated legal persons)
• Power of attorney (in case of remote registration)
• Signed consent of the company to transfer shares
• Signed consent of the other shareholders to transfer shares
• Latest approved Annual Report
• Minutes of the general meeting of shareholders of a company on the transfer of shares in the share capital of a company
• Signed copy of the deed of transfer of shares

Optional documents:

• Share Sale and Purchase Agreement
• Shareholders Agreement