Re-domiciliation

Business-focused legal support for re-domiciliation in the UAE, helping companies reduce risk and move forward with confidence.

Re-domiciliation (Incorporation Transfer)

We assist companies in transferring legal registration to a new jurisdiction, ensuring continuity, compliance, and full support with regulatory procedures for a smooth transition.

In-depth description

Re-domiciliation services enable companies to shift their legal registration from one jurisdiction to another without dissolving and re-establishing the business. This transfer helps businesses benefit from a new regulatory or tax environment while preserving their corporate identity and continuity. We assist with all legal, compliance, and procedural requirements to ensure a smooth transition, tailored to meet the specific needs of both the original and new jurisdiction.

Scope of work

  • Conduct due diligence to confirm the eligibility of the company for re-domiciliation into the target UAE jurisdiction.
  • Prepare and file the application for discontinuance in the original country and the application for continuation in the UAE.
  • Coordinate between the authorities of both jurisdictions to ensure seamless transfer.
  • Manage the amendment of all corporate documents to reflect the new legal domicile.

Price range

AED 40,000 – AED 500,000
Cumulative assessment – billed Lump Sum.

Primary Determinants of Pricing
Existing structure, number of shareholders and stakeholders.
Private or public company.
Class of shares.
Country of departure / arrival.
Contract transfer management, creditor notification.

Deliverables

  • A Certificate of Discontinuance (from original jurisdiction) and a Certificate of Continuation (from UAE).
  • The newly issued UAE Trade License.

Are you moving your company to the UAE without starting over?

Is your company incorporated in a less favourable jurisdiction?

Re-domiciliation lets you transfer your legal registration to the UAE while preserving your corporate history and contracts.

Do you want to benefit from UAE's tax and regulatory environment?

Transferring to DIFC, ADGM, or a UAE free zone can improve your regulatory standing and access to banking significantly.

Are you concerned about losing continuity during a move?

Re-domiciliation preserves your company's identity, contracts, and liabilities. You do not need to dissolve and restart.

Is your jurisdiction causing banking or compliance issues?

UAE-based entities face fewer KYC barriers with banks. Re-domiciling is often the fastest solution to banking access issues.

Frequently asked questions

Re-domiciliation (also called continuation or transfer of incorporation) moves a company’s legal home from one jurisdiction to another without dissolving and recreating it. Companies do this to access more favourable legal frameworks, tax treaties, investor perception or regulatory environments.
It can. Transferring a company’s registered seat may trigger exit taxation, deemed disposal of assets, or other tax consequences in the country of departure. The applicable rules depend on the original jurisdiction. Tax analysis must precede any structural decision, as the legal process and the tax consequences are inseparable.
 
DIFC, ADGM and RAK ICC are the UAE jurisdictions with established re-domiciliation procedures. Each has its own process and requirements. DIFC and ADGM are preferred for their common law frameworks and international recognition, particularly for regulated financial entities and family offices.
Yes, in principle. DIFC, ADGM and RAK ICC permit outward re-domiciliation, subject to the receiving jurisdiction accepting the move and to clearance of all UAE obligations (tax, regulatory, employee). The process is generally faster than dissolving and reincorporating, and preserves contractual continuity.

Inbound re-domiciliation to DIFC or ADGM typically takes 8 to 16 weeks once the original jurisdiction confirms discontinuance can proceed. Timelines depend on the home jurisdiction’s process, regulatory clearances and the quality of documentation submitted. Pre-planning with both authorities is essential.

Key contacts:

Romain Astruc

Managing Partner – Generalist, Advisory & Litigation

Gabriel Elmarzouki

Associate – Corporate, Commercial & Litigation

Robin Cordeiro

Associate – Corporate and Regulatory Consultant

Get in touch

Other services you might need

Re-domiciliation is rarely an isolated step – it connects to tax planning, banking and the legal structure of the group as a whole.

Accounting, Auditing & Tax - UAE Corporate Compliance

Re-domiciliation triggers tax analysis in both the origin and destination jurisdictions. We manage both sides.
Learn more

Group Restructuring & Transgenerational Transmission

Re-domiciliation often sits within a broader group restructuring. We handle the full picture in a coordinated engagement.
Learn more

Regulatory Compliance for UAE Businesses

A new legal home brings new compliance obligations. We map them and keep your entity on the right side from day one.
Learn more

WHAT SET US APART

Why ASTRUC & Co

Transferring a company’s legal home is a complex, high-stakes process. We manage it with the precision it demands.

1.

Cross-border fluency

Re-domiciliation requires expertise in both the jurisdiction of departure and the receiving one. We manage both sides – covering the legal, tax and regulatory dimensions

2.

Business-first advice

We evaluate whether re-domiciliation actually achieves your objective before you commit. Sometimes a subsidiary or holding company is the better answer

3.

Senior counsel only

Re-domiciliation is irreversible and has legal, tax and regulatory consequences across multiple jurisdictions. Every engagement is led by senior lawyers

More than legal counsel

With you, all the way

Life in the UAE brings extraordinary opportunities — and equally complex legal realities. Whether you’re relocating your family, navigating a divorce across jurisdictions, or structuring an inheritance that spans continents, you deserve a legal partner who understands both the technicalities and the human side of what you’re going through. At ASTRUC & Co, we treat every client’s situation as if it were our own.

From our offices in Dubai to our network spanning Riyadh, Paris, and Luxembourg, we bring senior-level attention to every matter — personal or financial. We believe the best legal advice is honest, clear, and delivered by someone who genuinely cares about the outcome. That’s why our clients stay with us, and why they come back when life presents its next chapter.

Ready to move forward?

Book a consultation with our team to discuss your situation and explore the right legal and strategic approach for your business.

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Merger and Acquisition
  • Set-up of the Workstreams related to the Transaction
  • Legal Due Diligence
  • Tax Due Diligence
  • Negotiating and Drafting the SPA
  • Assistance related to Conditions Precedents
  • Registration of the Transaction with the Authorities
Private Equity
  • Advisory on PE life cycle from Fund Formation, Capital Deployment, M&A, etc.
  • Advisory on Financing Rounds and Execution
  • Drafting of Prospectus, Investment Case, Risk Warnings and Investment Disclaimers, etc.
  • Drafting of Shareholders Agreements
  • Advisory on Board of Directors Structuring and Execution
  • Drafting of Policies, Charts and other JVAs
  • Litigation/Arbitration
Banking &Finance
  • Banking loan documentation negotiation and review including requested securities
  • Account opening requirements and forms
  • Compliance controls upon onboarding as a bank customer and regular updates to allow flawless funds repatriation
  • Escalation if needed with banking authorities and preparing file for litigation
  • Arabic speaker for immediate translation or intermediation with third parties including local authorities.
Commercial
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Construction
  • FIDIC Short Form of Contract
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  • FIDIC EPC/Turnkey Contract
  • Review of Ad Hoc Contracts
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  • Litigation/Arbitration
Employment Relationship
  • Assistance during Recruitment Phase with Executive Search Agents or Recruitment Agency
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  • Drafting Disciplinary Policy and Documentation
  • Registration of Company with Labour Authorities
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  • Termination Strategy and Execution
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HR Strategy – Advisory Services
  • Labour Market Analysis
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Business Set-Up and Maintenance
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  • Redomiciliation
Joint Venture and Investors Relationship
  • Set-up of Joint Venture Company
  • Drafting Joint Venture Agreement
  • Drafting of Prospectus, Investment Case, Risk Warnings and Investment Disclaimers, etc.
  • Drafting of Shareholders Agreements
  • Advisory on Financing Rounds and Execution
  • Advisory on Board of Directors Structuring and Execution
  • Drafting of Policies, Charts and other JVAs
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Expatriation Services
  • Employment Package and Contract Review
  • Wealth Management Advisory
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Relocation
  • Resignation Strategy
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  • FX Exchange Advisory
  • Administration of the Departure and Legal Representation
Advisory
  • Advisory Services on the Developer (reliability check)
  • Review of Contract with Developer
  • Conveyance of Property and Supervision of the Sales Process
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  • Assistance with Engineers and Contractors
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Litigation
  • Cancellation of Contract
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Civil Status
  • Amendment of Civil Status (divorced/married) in Home Country
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Nationality and Immigration
  • Application for Nationality due to family reasons
  • Coordination Services for Obtaining Nationality based on Investment (more than 40 countries)
  • Immigration Services to Schengen Country (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Nationality)
  • Immigration Services to the USA, UK, Canada, Australia (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Nationality)
  • Immigration Services to GCC countries (Tourist, Business, Long Term, Residence, Golden Visa, Nationality)
Succession Planning
  • Overall Estate Planning with Financial and Legal Experts
  • Set-up of Shariah Compliant Foundation or Holding Structure
  • Set-up of Trust (DIFC, UAE, ADGM, Foreign based)
  • Set-up of Holding Structure
  • Set-up of Last Wills in the UAE, Qatar, KSA and various territories, as needed
  • Family Counseling - Mediation of dispute between family members
Inheritance Proceedings
  • In any country where there are assets
  • Court proceedings based on Shariah Law
  • Court proceedings based on Deceased Law
  • Court Proceedings based on Last Will
Crime against the Person and Narcotics
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Marriages
  • Marriage between French nationals
  • Marriage involving a French national and a non-French national
  • Marriage involving two persons of the same nationality
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  • Marriage involving a Muslim
  • Brief on matrimonial regimes and applicable laws
Divorces
  • Divorce between French nationals
  • Divorce involving a French national and a non-French national
  • Divorce involving two persons of the same nationality
  • Divorce involving two persons of different nationality
  • Divorce involving a Muslim
  • Brief on matrimonial regimes and applicable laws