Corporate & Commercial
UAE subsidiaries, branches and regional headquarters for US companies, and structuring choices between free zones, mainland and financial centres.
Corporate & Commercial lawyers in the UAEInternational clients · United States
Supporting US clients with legal matters in the UAE
This page is for US companies, investors and founders doing business in the UAE, and for Americans who live in or hold assets in the Emirates.
Rahman & Company advises on UAE legal matters. US clients typically come to us about establishing a UAE entity or regional office, adapting US-style contracts for UAE counterparties, technology licensing and data protection, regulatory and compliance questions, disputes with UAE businesses, and personal matters such as property and estate planning for UAE assets. We work with US clients remotely across time zones and meet at our UAE offices by appointment. We are used to working with in-house counsel and outside US law firms on the UAE aspects of a deal.
The United States and the UAE
Many US multinationals run their Middle East, Africa and South Asia operations from Dubai or Abu Dhabi, and US firms are active across UAE technology, aerospace, energy, financial services, healthcare and education. American investors and start-ups increasingly look to the UAE’s free zones and financial centres as a base for the wider region.
For US companies, the UAE’s legal landscape can be unfamiliar in a few important ways. Several legal systems operate side by side — the federal and emirate-level system onshore, dozens of free zones, and the DIFC and ADGM common-law jurisdictions. There is no comprehensive US–UAE income tax treaty, and US persons remain subject to US rules on sanctions, anti-corruption and tax reporting wherever they operate. A UAE structure therefore needs to work under UAE law and fit the compliance framework the US parent already follows.
UAE legal services
How we assist clients from the United States
All practice areasTechnology & Data
Software licensing, SaaS and platform terms, and UAE data protection requirements for US technology businesses.
Technology & Data lawyers in the UAERegulatory & Compliance
UAE licensing and compliance frameworks, including anti-money laundering obligations, for US-owned businesses.
Regulatory & Compliance lawyers in the UAEDispute Resolution
Disputes with UAE distributors, customers and partners, and the practical routes to recovery in the UAE.
Dispute Resolution lawyers in the UAEIntellectual Property
Registering and protecting US brands in the UAE, and licensing arrangements with UAE partners.
Intellectual Property lawyers in the UAEFor businesses
Legal support for businesses from the United States
US companies typically enter the UAE through a distributor, a free zone subsidiary or a regional headquarters entity. We help weigh these options, prepare the entity and its governing documents, and adapt US contract templates for UAE use — particularly governing law, dispute resolution, limitation of liability and termination of distribution or agency arrangements. For technology businesses, we focus on IP ownership, licensing and data processing terms; for groups with regulated activities, we help identify the right UAE regime before operations start.
For individuals and families
Legal support for individuals from the United States
Americans living in the UAE often need advice on employment contracts and incentive plans, residential leases and property purchases, and how UAE assets would be handled on death. We explain the UAE will options available to non-Muslim foreigners and how they fit alongside a US estate plan. US tax and reporting questions should be reviewed with US advisers.
Typical matters
Common UAE legal matters for clients from the United States
Setting up a regional office for a US software company
A US SaaS company wants a Dubai entity to sign regional customers and employ a small team. We compare suitable free zone options, prepare the entity documents, draft an intercompany agreement with the US parent covering IP, services and pricing, and adapt customer terms to reflect UAE data protection requirements.
Terminating a UAE distributor
A US manufacturer wants to end a long-standing relationship with its UAE distributor. We review the distribution agreement and whether the distributor is registered as a commercial agent in the UAE, which can affect termination rights and compensation, and plan an exit that protects the brand and the transition to a new partner.
Compliance review before acquiring a UAE business
A US private equity fund plans to acquire a UAE services company. Alongside commercial due diligence, we review the target’s licences, contracts, employment arrangements and compliance policies under UAE law, and identify issues relevant to the fund’s US sanctions and anti-corruption obligations, which its US counsel will assess.
An American family relocating to Abu Dhabi
A US executive moves to Abu Dhabi with family and plans to rent, then buy, a home. We review the employment offer and the tenancy contract, later the purchase documents, and explain how a UAE will can be used for UAE assets alongside the family’s US estate plan.
These examples describe the kinds of questions clients raise. They are not case studies, and every matter depends on its own facts.
Working together
Working with Rahman & Company from the United States
- 01
Initial discussion
Tell us who you are, who else is involved and what you want to achieve. A short call or video meeting is usually enough to understand the matter and agree whether we can help.
- 02
Identifying the UAE legal issues
We identify which questions are governed by UAE law, which emirate, free zone or court is relevant, and where advice under the law of the United States may also be needed.
- 03
Document review and strategy
Once the scope and fees are agreed, we review the contracts, licences, title documents or correspondence and set out the options and the likely next steps.
- 04
Remote consultation where appropriate
Most discussions can take place by video call and email. Where a UAE step requires a signature, registration or attendance, we explain whether a power of attorney can be used and how it should be prepared.
- 05
Ongoing support and coordination
We keep you informed in writing, deal with UAE counterparties and authorities on your behalf where instructed, and coordinate with your advisers in the United States.
The UAE is eight to twelve hours ahead of the continental United States, depending on the time zone and season. Clients may be able to engage the firm remotely where this is legally and practically appropriate. Every engagement is subject to conflict, identity and compliance checks, and no particular outcome can be promised.
Where to find us
Our UAE offices
All officesHead office
Dubai
115, Al Moosa Building 5Al Ghubaiba
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
42 Tawi Umm Al'atal StreetAl Wathba, Al Nahdah Jadeedah
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Meetings at any office are by appointment. Rahman & Company does not have an office in the United States unless one is listed here.
Our lawyers
People who can help
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Amaan Sabir Beegum
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Dr. Nusrath Beegum
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Dr. Fouz Mohammed
Cyber Law, AI, Real Estate & Dispute Resolution
Languages: Arabic (native), English (B1)
View profileProfiles describe each lawyer’s background as published on this website. Languages are listed as stated in their profiles.
Our knowledge & media
Insights for international clients
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Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can a US company own 100% of a UAE company?
For many activities, yes, on the mainland or in a free zone. Some activities remain restricted or require additional approvals.
Is there a tax treaty between the US and the UAE?
There is no comprehensive US–UAE income tax treaty. Tax structuring should be reviewed with US and UAE tax advisers; we focus on the legal documentation and UAE regulatory requirements.
Can a US court judgment be enforced in the UAE?
Possibly, but recognition depends on the conditions in UAE procedural law and there is no bilateral treaty. Arbitration is often chosen in US–UAE contracts because of the New York Convention, to which both countries are parties.
Can you advise on US law?
Rahman & Company advises on UAE legal matters. Where advice on US federal or state law is required, separate advice from appropriately qualified counsel in the relevant US jurisdiction may be necessary.
How do you handle the time difference?
We schedule calls in the UAE morning for clients on the US East Coast’s previous evening, or early UAE evening for East Coast mornings, and work by email between calls.
Does a US trademark registration protect our brand in the UAE?
No. Trademark protection is territorial, so a US registration does not by itself protect the brand in the UAE. Registering in the UAE before launch is usually advisable.
Do I need to travel to the UAE to obtain legal advice?
Not usually. Most advice can be given by video call and email. Some UAE steps, such as certain registrations or court appearances, may require a properly prepared power of attorney or attendance, and we explain this at the outset. The UAE is eight to twelve hours ahead of the continental United States, depending on the time zone and season.
More in North America
UAE legal services for clients from CanadaDiscuss your UAE legal requirements
If you are based in the United States or connected with it and need advice concerning a business, investment, property, dispute or other legal matter in the UAE, our team can help you understand the relevant legal considerations and next steps. Please do not send confidential documents until an engagement has been agreed.