Relocating a business from the UAE to Syria involves transferring or re-establishing your company structure in Damascus while maintaining compliance in both jurisdictions. This comprehensive checklist covers licensing, PRO services, and the step-by-step relocation process for UAE companies.
Full Relocation
Close UAE entity and re-register in Syria. Complex, requires liquidation and re-incorporation.
Branch Setup
Keep UAE entity, open Syrian branch. Simplest option. Parent company unchanged.
Partial Move
Establish Syrian LLC while keeping UAE entity. Dual compliance required.
Relocation Options
| Option | Time | Cost | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Relocation | 3-6 months | USD 10,000-20,000 | High |
| Branch Office | 6-8 weeks | USD 7,000-12,000 | Low |
| New LLC + Keep UAE | 8-12 weeks | USD 8,000-15,000 | Medium |
| Acquire Syrian Co. | 4-8 weeks | USD 15,000-50,000 | Medium |
Licensing Requirements
Relocating requires: attested UAE company documents, Syrian commercial license, sector-specific permits, tax registration, social security registration, and municipality license. UAE licenses cannot be transferred directly.
PRO Coordination
Pre-Relocation Audit
PRO reviews UAE documents for completeness. Identifies missing attestations or compliance gaps.
Document Preparation
PRO coordinates MOFA attestation, Embassy legalization, and Arabic translation of all documents.
Government Submission
PRO submits to all Syrian agencies, tracks progress, resolves rejections.
Post-Setup
Bank account, employee registration, office lease, utility connections.
⚠️ Important: Close UAE licenses properly. Abandoned licenses can accrue penalties (AED 200-500/month) and affect UAE credit.
Relocation Checklist
1. Legal structure decision. 2. UAE document audit. 3. Syrian name reservation. 4. Commercial license. 5. Tax registration. 6. Bank account. 7. Office lease. 8. Employee permits. 9. Insurance. 10. Utility setup.
✅ Tip: Complete steps 1-3 in UAE before traveling. Having attested documents ready saves 4-6 weeks.
ℹ️ Note: Vesta Solutions offers a complete relocation package including attestation, PRO, bank account, and post-relocation compliance for USD 7,500.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep UAE bank account?
Yes, but inform your bank. Some require UAE-registered company. Consider virtual office for banking.
Handle UAE employee visas?
Cancel if not returning or switch to visit visa. Syrian work permits needed before starting work in Syria.
Notify UAE authorities?
Not needed for branch option. For closure, follow standard DED or freezone liquidation.
Resources
Ready to Get Started?
Contact Vesta Solutions today for expert guidance on your UAE-Syria business setup. Our team replies within one working day.
Contact Us or call +971 50 435 0665 — email: info@vesta-solutions.ae
Click the Contact button in the bottom-left corner to start your journey.
Noor Al-Sayed (نور السيد)
Digital Marketing Specialist. Focused on Syrian market digital strategy and UAE investor outreach with expertise in B2B content.
