UAE Mainland and Free Zone Trade Licence Services

Company Formation

Establish your entity seamlessly with our end-to-end company formation services, ensuring compliance from day one.

Registered Office

Registered office services are offered in key international jurisdictions.

Corporate Governance

Enhance organisational integrity with a robust corporate governance framework designed to support accountability, transparency, and long-term business performance, whilst mitigating regulatory risk.

Director Services

We offer director services to companies in the BVI, Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Singapore and the UK. Our professional directors have a strong track record of executing complex, successful corporate strategies on behalf of our clients.

Nominee Shareholder

We can offer the nominee shareholder of your BVI, Cayman or Cyprus company.

Board Support

Strengthen board effectiveness with structured support, documentation, and governance oversight delivered by experienced professionals.

Company Secretarial

Maintain statutory compliance and streamline corporate administration with our expert company secretarial support.

Due Diligence Services

Our experts support clients in meeting customer due diligence (CDD) obligations under applicable legislation and in strengthening risk management for entities that fall outside formal legislative scope.

Principal Registrar Services

We act as the Principal Registrar for Cayman-incorporated entities listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, maintaining accurate registers, processing share movements, and supporting compliance with listing requirements. This service provides a secure, efficient, and fully integrated solution and ensures seamless management of your company’s shareholder records and share transfers.

Digital Assets Services

For clients in the evolving digital assets space, we offer a range of services and assist with providing structures fit for your business needs.

Liquidation

Navigate voluntary solvent liquidation processes with confidence through our winding-up services; we will assist with every step in the process.

Leverage our five decades of professional corporate services experience by taking advantage of value-added solutions that ensure your goals are met.

With more than 50 years supporting global enterprises, we understand what businesses need to operate smoothly across borders. Our experience gives clients clear answers, consistent support, and reliable outcomes.

Ascentium Fiduciary is an established global leader providing international clients with solutions for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing compliance, financial services regulation, sanctions, tax information exchange and other areas relating to financial services. As licensed registered agent, registered office and company secretarial services providers, we support clients in meeting local regulatory expectations across multiple jurisdictions.

Ascentium Fiduciary provides an integrated, flexible, and personalised end-to-end service globally, delivered by agile thinking experts who have a deep understanding of their clients’ needs and unparalleled jurisdictional insight. We offer tailored support for company or partnership registration and ongoing entity management, ensuring structures remain compliant and fit for purpose.

Our size, collegial environment, and flexible team structure allow us to work across departments and offices. We do the work in the location that is most suitable to you, and we are able to provide time zone and language-appropriate service to clients around the world. Ascentium Fiduciary has in-depth expertise in the most significant international business centres in the world.

Guidance across all licence types: We help you select the most suitable licences for your business nature across commercial, professional, and industrial licence types.

End-to-end setup support:

We provide ongoing assistance from obtaining approvals to submitting MoAs or LSA agreements.

Extensive Dubai free zone network: We partner with over 50 UAE free zones, providing your business with flexibility in location and setup costs.

Cost transparency: We help you understand all setup costs upfront and recommend legal structures that reduce overheads and maximise value.

A UAE mainland trade licence allows businesses to operate within the local UAE market and work directly with government entities and customers across the country. It also allows companies to open offices anywhere in the UAE and expand operations without geographic restrictions.

A free zone trade licence allows businesses to operate within a designated UAE free zone. Free zones often provide benefits such as simplified company setup, flexible ownership structures, and access to specialised business clusters.

Mainland companies can operate across the UAE market and work directly with local clients and government bodies. Free zone companies typically operate within their designated free zone or internationally, depending on the business activity and licence type.

The choice depends on factors such as the type of business activity, target market, operational needs, and regulatory requirements. Businesses planning to trade within the UAE market may consider mainland licences, while companies focused on international trade or specific industries may prefer free zones.

Trade licence services may include guidance on licence types, company structure selection, business registration, regulatory documentation, and support with the application process for mainland or free zone licences.

Businesses can work with experienced advisors who understand UAE licensing requirements and free zone regulations. Through Virtuzone, a subsidiary of Ascentium, companies receive support with mainland and free zone business setup, licence applications, and regulatory requirements.