What a UBO is
An ultimate beneficial owner (UBO) is the individual who ultimately owns or controls a company, for example through a significant shareholding or voting rights, or by exercising control in other ways.
What you must do
- Keep a register of beneficial owners.
- Keep registers of partners or shareholders and of nominee directors where relevant.
- File the information with your licensing authority.
When to update it
When ownership or control changes, the register must be updated and the change reported to the licensing authority within 15 days.
Share transfers, new investors, changes in voting rights and restructurings all usually require an update.
Why it matters
Licensing authorities check UBO compliance, and gaps can lead to penalties or delays with licence renewals and banking.
Call or WhatsApp us on +971 50 512 4558 to talk it through with our team.
This article is general information based on UAE rules as of November 2026 and is not tax advice. Rules change, so please WhatsApp us or call +971 50 512 4558 about your situation.