What this area covers: IP migration in the UAE
IP migration is one of 6 parts of our “Restructuring” practice. It covers the full cycle from initial scoping to operational launch, run by a single named partner from our UAE practice.
What it is in the UAE: transfer of intellectual property between jurisdictions.
How we handle IP migration
The “IP migration” project in the UAE is structured as a 4-stage process run by a single named partner.
M&A support, voluntary dissolution, cross-border entity migration, and IP transfers — clean exits and clean moves.
The same desk that runs IP migration handles your banking, bookkeeping, compliance and — where needed — your wind-down.INNOVA · Operating model
Why the UAE
The UAE is a strategic hub with a 9% corporate tax, Free Zone relief on qualifying income, and residency tied to the company structure. We work with every key zone, know the real banking onboarding timeline, and know how to avoid getting stuck on KYC requests.
A reliable regulatory environment
Banking ecosystem
Corporate tax 9% (0% on qualifying Free Zone income)
INNOVA represented on the ground
Why INNOVA
Operational differences that hold up on the 2nd, 5th and 10th project — not just at first impression.
One partner — the whole cycle
Registration, banking, tax, compliance, immigration — run by one team from start to finish.
14 years of practice
Working since 2012 through several regulatory cycles — including FATCA/CRS, the tightening of banking, and the introduction of UAE CT.
Regulator-grade documentation
Every output document is ready for audit and investor scrutiny — whatever the size of the deal.
Multi-jurisdiction within the group
Cross-border work is handled inside the group — no chain of external subcontractors.
How the work is structured
A 4-stage process led by a single named partner — from the intro call to the operational hand-over.
Diagnostics
Current state, objectives and constraints
Route design
Roadmap and tax position
Execution
Filings, transfers and closures
Liquidation
Final reporting and liquidation
What we need from you · what you get from us
What we need from you to begin — and what you walk away with. We won't pester you with needless questions: we already have most of the answers.
- Current entity structuredocumented
- Ownership and shareholdingverified
- Outstanding liabilitiesstated
- Tax position (current)reviewed
- Restructured entity layoutdocumented
- Intercompany agreementssigned
- Tax-clearance certificatewhere applicable
- Liquidation/strike-off (if needed)completed
- Final filings submittedregulator
Four ways to work together
We don't quote a fixed price without understanding your situation — cost depends on the complexity of your case. Start with an initial call, then we pick the right format.
Intro call
A 30-minute online consultation. We discuss your situation, define the project scope, and propose a structure and timeline.
Written analysis
A written consultation with a full review of the business — tax positioning, structure options, jurisdiction comparison, banking path. Turnaround: 5 business days.
Operating roadmap
For complex situations — multi-jurisdiction structures, regulated activity, founder relocation. A full plan with stages, dependencies, deliverables and timing.
Direct execution
You know what you need — we execute. No advisory mark-up and no discovery phase.
Fill in the questionnaire
Complete the online questionnaire: it creates your account on the portal, where your structure, renewal reminders and documents will live.
Fill in the questionnaire
4 steps · creates an INNOVA portal account · 24h review.
Once you submit the questionnaire we create a portal account. Inside: your live structure, a renewals calendar (annual returns, register updates, tax filings), a document vault (certificates, share register, bank letters), a partner chat and project status. A single place for your entire operational life.
From a client
A review from a client who went through a comparable project. Verified, the engagement is ongoing.
Frequently asked questions
The questions we're asked most often. If yours isn't here, an intro call is the fastest way to get an answer.
Most “IP migration” projects in the UAE run 3–6 months start to finish. The fastest stage is document filing; the longest is post-registration onboarding (banking, tax registration). A single named partner runs the project throughout.
Scope and price — project-based. Scope turns on the ownership structure, the number of jurisdictions involved and whether the activity is regulated. A fixed quote follows a 30-minute scoping call.
In most cases, no. The entire process runs remotely under a notarised power of attorney. A handful of jurisdictions require an in-person visit (typically biometrics for a residence permit) — we plan those as efficiently as possible.
Voluntary liquidation of a UAE free zone company involves: a board resolution to wind up, settlement of all liabilities (employee gratuities and visa cancellations included), a clearance certificate from the zone authority, cancellation of the trade licence, and deregistration from the FTA for VAT payers. The process takes 2–6 months depending on the zone and the complexity of the obligations. INNOVA runs the full liquidation for DMCC, RAKEZ, IFZA, and JAFZA. We leave no loose ends.
Dissolving a mainland LLC involves: a special resolution of the shareholders' meeting (notarised), appointing a liquidator from the Ministry of Economy register, publishing a notice in two UAE newspapers (60-day creditor window), settling liabilities, tax clearance from the FTA, and cancellation with the DED. The liquidator's final report goes to the court. For a clean company the whole process takes 4–9 months.
Timelines depend on the structure: a free zone — 2–4 months for a company with no debts, employees, or regulatory issues; a mainland LLC — 4–9 months with the mandatory 60-day newspaper notice; the RAK ICC offshore — usually 3–6 weeks on a simpler procedure. Litigation, open tax matters, or multiple creditors stretch the timelines. INNOVA gives a timeline estimate after reviewing the liability profile.
IP migration in other countries
The same service — in every jurisdiction we run. One desk, one standard.
