Certain steps and procedures must be followed and adhered to to seamlessly cancel a trade license in compliance with the relevant laws in Abu Dhabi. This article details the process of cancelling a trade license in Abu Dhabi and explains the steps to be followed to cancel the license in compliance with the relevant laws in UAE.

Trade License Cancellation in Abu Dhabi

Cancelling a trade license is based on the type of company in the UAE.

For establishments and sole proprietorships, the process is relatively easy as all that is needed is to apply for cancellation through DED and get all relevant clearances from;

Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs.
The relevant water and electricity authority.
The leasing entity etc.

In the case of shareholding companies, however, the process is longer as liquidation of shares has to be done, collecting debts and debt settlement with the creditors, before closing the company with DED.

Also read: Trade License Cancellation in Sharjah

Guide to Trade License Cancellation in Abu Dhabi for Various Company Types

The following steps and procedures must be followed to close all kinds of companies (except civil companies) in the UAE:

Stage 1:

Prepare notarized minutes of the general assembly confirming the company liquidation and the appointment of a liquidator.
Provide an official letter from a registered liquidator accepting the duty.
Apply for cancellation by filling out the required form through DED or other approved channels.
DED will issue a liquidation certificate.
Publish the notice of liquidation in two local newspapers.
The notice gives the debtors a grace period of 45 days from the date of issue to submit their claims.

Stage 2:

Submit to DED a declaration letter from the liquidator and the partners indicating no objection from any other parties during the grace period.
Collect required approvals from other government bodies to cancel a license.
Cancel the firm card at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
Cancel the foreign partners’ visas sponsored by the company at the respective General Directorate of Residency & Foreigners Affairs
Submit all the above documents to get the approval for final cancellation.
DED will determine the fees.
You can receive the certificate of deregistration (cancellation) after paying the requested fees.

Requirements For Trade License Cancellation in Abu Dhabi

Prepare the Required Documents: Liquidator’s Certificate of Acceptance (for companies), Court Decision, Initial Service Agent Contract Termination (for establishments), Liquidator Licence (for companies), Meeting Minutes on Liquidation, and other relevant documents based on your company type.
Formal Application Should Be Submitted: Apply for cancellation of the company from the Department of Economic Development (DED) or TAMM.
Publish Notice: The liquidation must be advertised in two local newspapers once (English and Arabic) in the form of a notice.
Get Approvals: Get approval from some public entities for example Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, water and electricity authority, etc.
Cancel Firm Card: Cancel the firm card from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation.
Log in Using UAE PASS: Begin the cancellation process by signing in to the DED or TAMM system using your UAE PASS.

Trade License Cancellation Cost in Abu Dhabi

The cost of cancelling a trade license can vary depending on the type of business and the specific requirements of the authorities involved.

The table below outlines the typical fees for trade license cancellation:

Fee Type	Amount (AED)
Abu Dhabi Chamber Fee	10
License Cancellation Fee	10
Liquidation Fee	10 (Varies based on company type)
Newspaper Advertisement Fee	375

Note: The costs of the cancellation of the trade license in Abu Dhabi can be different and depend on the kind of business and specific requirements of the authorities. It is advisable to seek the advice of a professional or the relevant authorities when determining the exact cost.

Also read: Company Liquidation in Dubai

Online Procedure for Trade License Cancellation in UAE

UAE PASS Login: Sign in to the DED or TAMM system using your UAE PASS to start the process of cancellation.
The application submitted: The required documents are uploaded and the application is submitted.
Get Notification: You will receive an acceptance or rejection notification.
Pay Fees: Pay the newspaper announcement fees for establishments and companies only.
Get External Approvals: Obtain any needed approval from other entities.
Cancel Establishment Card: Cancel the establishment card at the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (ICP).
Get Cancellation Certificate: After all steps are done, get the cancellation certificate of the economic license.

Terms of Service:

The application is submitted by the concerned party for establishments and branches.
The application is submitted by the liquidator for companies.

The Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security should be contacted to cancel the establishment card within a maximum of one month to avoid future fines and violations.

It takes 30 days from the date of the newspaper advertisement to obtain the cancellation certificate.

How Farahat & Co. Can Help

To cancel a trade license in Abu Dhabi. Our services include:

Advisory and recommendation on trade license cancellation.
Preparation of documents and their submission to DED and other relevant entities.
Assistance with the cancellation of the employee’s visa and work permit.
Obtaining the required approval from DED and other regulatory bodies.

Farahat & Co., a reputable liquidator in the UAE, is committed to guiding businesses to proceed with the seamless process of cancelling a trade license in Abu Dhabi, in compliance with the law.