When it is time to close a DMCC company, doing it properly matters: an abandoned licence keeps accruing fees and can leave shareholders with liabilities and immigration flags. DMCC company liquidation is the formal, clean way to wind down — cancel the licence, close visas and settle obligations. Our JLT team manages the whole exit.
Why liquidate formally
Simply not renewing is not closure. Until a company is formally liquidated and struck off, DMCC continues to treat it as active — with renewal fees, penalties and outstanding-obligation risk. Formal liquidation gives you a clean break and a de-registration certificate.
The DMCC liquidation process
- Board / shareholder resolutionResolve to liquidate and appoint a liquidator.
- Liquidator's reportA registered auditor prepares the liquidation report and statement of affairs.
- Visa cancellationAll residence visas and the establishment card are cancelled.
- Clearances & noticeSettle liabilities, obtain clearances (immigration, utilities, bank) and complete any notice period.
- De-registrationDMCC strikes off the company and issues confirmation.
What you need to settle first
- Outstanding DMCC fees and any fines
- Employee dues and cancelled visas
- Final audited accounts / liquidator statement
- Closed corporate bank account
Liquidation timelines depend on clearances and any notice period, but a clean company can usually be wound down within a few weeks once documents are ready.
Whether you are pivoting or exiting, we make the end of a DMCC business setup as orderly as the start. If you only need to change structure rather than close, see company amendment.
How DMCC company closure works
Under the DMCCA Company Regulations a DMCC company can be wound up in four ways:
| Mode | When it applies |
|---|
| Summary winding-up | Directors declare the affairs can be wound up within 6 months |
| Solvent winding-up | Directors declare the affairs can be wound up within 12 months |
| Insolvent winding-up | The company cannot pay its debts |
| Involuntary winding-up | Ordered by the competent court |
Steps we run for a solvent closure
- Shareholder resolutionApprove the winding-up and appoint the liquidator.
- Cancel visas and the establishment cardEvery employee and dependant visa is cancelled first. See DMCC visa cancellation.
- Settle liabilities and close accountsFinal accounts, tax deregistration where applicable, and the bank account.
- Regulator NOCRequired if the company carried out a regulated activity.
- Final liquidation reportFiled with DMCC. The company is then dissolved, removed from the register and issued an e-termination letter.
| Official DMCC fee | AED |
|---|
| Company winding-up | 4,015 |
| Company de-registration | 2,015 |
Auditor, liquidator and government fees are extra. A company that never obtains its licence within 24 weeks of registration can be struck off by the Registrar.
Close your DMCC company cleanly
We handle the liquidator report, visa cancellation and de-registration end to end.
Get Free QuoteWhatsApp UsFrequently Asked Questions
Do I have to formally liquidate a DMCC company?
Yes. Simply not renewing does not close the company — DMCC keeps it active and fees and penalties accrue. Formal liquidation and strike-off give you a clean break and a de-registration certificate.
What is the DMCC liquidation process?
A shareholder resolution appoints a liquidator, a registered auditor issues a liquidation report, all visas and the establishment card are cancelled, liabilities and clearances are settled, and DMCC then strikes off the company.
How long does DMCC liquidation take?
A clean company can usually be wound down within a few weeks once documents and clearances are ready. Outstanding liabilities or notice periods extend the timeline.
Do I need audited accounts to liquidate?
Yes. A liquidator statement or final audited accounts are required, along with cleared fees, cancelled visas and a closed bank account, before strike-off.
How we keep this page accurate. Fees and process steps are checked against DMCC’s official
Schedule of Charges and the
DMCC Knowledge Bank guidelines, and against the DMCC member-portal filings our JLT team handles every week.
Last verified: October 2026. Government fees change, so we confirm the live figure before you pay.
