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This page provides information, guidance and FAQs on the Registration Authority’s approach to penalties for late filings, how to appeal a penalty that has been incorrectly issued and what happens if late filing penalties are not paid.
The Registration Authority encourages all licensed firms to file on time to avoid penalties. Where this doesn’t occur the Registration Authority is committed to ensuring a fair, transparent, and efficient process with respect to dealing with late filings.
ADGM registered entities are obliged to submit certain filings to the Registrar on an annual basis, as well as when certain events occur, such as a change of director of a company.
The Registrar has a statutory duty to maintain the ADGM register of companies. To ensure the register’s accuracy and completeness, there are deadlines for submitting filings to the Registrar and penalties for late filings (or failing to file).
Late Fees
The Registration Authority charges late fees for the following types of applications and filings:
The late fee is $150 for each month (or part there of) that the application / filing is overdue up to a maximum of $450. The late fee is in addition any applicable filing fee.
For more information please download the Registration Authority’s Guidance on late filing fees.
Late Fines
The Registration Authority imposes late fines for most other filing types in the commercial legislation that have a statutory deadline for filing with the Registrar. Late fines are typically either $150 or $300, depending on the type of filing.
Waiver Requests
We understand that errors or exceptional circumstances can happen, and we are here to help you address situations where you may wish to appeal a penalty for a late filing.
The Registration Authority’s late fines / fees waiver process allows you to request the cancellation of fines or late filing fees in the circumstances set out in the following section.
Eligibility for Waiver Requests
Waiver requests are only accepted if they fall within two categories:
Before submitting a waiver request, check that the reason for your application falls within one of the categories above. Waiver requests for any other reason will generally result in the request being rejected.
For Late Filing Fees - submit your waiver request on the Registry system:
For Late Filing Fines - submit your waiver request via email:
After submission, your request will be logged and reviewed to ensure all necessary information is included. You will receive an acknowledgment email once your request is logged.
Your request will be evaluated based on:
You will receive an email notification within 14 business days regarding the status of your request. Possible outcomes include:
For more information download the Registration Authority’s Guidance on waiver requests for late filing penalties.
Suspension of Access to Services: If late filing fines or fees remain unpaid for 30 days, access to certain services will be suspended until the outstanding amounts are paid.
This includes, but is not limited to the following types of services:
For more information please download the Registration Authority’s Services Restriction Policy.
It is essential to resolve any outstanding fines or fees promptly to avoid service disruptions. If you wish to appeal the late filing fine or late filing fee please refer to the information above on how to request a waiver.
For more information on our late fees, waivers, and service restrictions, please refer to the following detailed guides and policies:
This policy explains when and how services may be restricted for overdue fines and fees. It outlines the process for suspension and restriction of services due to outstanding fines and fees.
This guide provides a detailed explanation of the late fee structure, how fees are calculated, and the timelines for payment. It also outlines how fees accumulate over time.
This guide explains the process for submitting waiver requests, the eligibility requirements, and how each request is evaluated.
What are late filing penalties?
Late filing penalties are fines / fees that are automatically imposed under ADGM’s commercial legislation for failure to deliver certain filings to the Registrar within the statutory timeframe
Why are fines / fees imposed for late filings?
The purpose of late filing penalties is to encourage the timely delivery of filings to the Registrar.
Maintaining the public register of companies (“the public register”) is a key statutory function of the RA. One of the RA’s core objectives is to ensure the accuracy, timeliness and quality of information on the public register.
In order for the public register to contain accurate and timely information, most ADGM legal entities are required to file notifications of changes in certain particulars, as well as confirmation statements and annual accounts within prescribed timeframes.
In respect of annual accounts, the filing is required for a variety of reasons including to understand the solvency of companies in ADGM. Annual account filings are generally due within either six (6) or nine (9) months of a company’s accounting reference date, for a public or private company respectively.
For guidance on other notification types, please refer to the RA’s Event Driven Filings (EDF) Guide, available at www.adgm.com.
How much are the late filing penalties?
The amount of late filing penalty is dependent on the type of filing and how long it is overdue.
How to avoid a late filing penalty?
Late filing penalties can be avoided by putting procedures in place to ensure that when a filing obligation is triggered, a filing is prepared and submitted to the Registrar within the prescribed period for filing.
For annual accounts, for example, the Registration Authority’s registry system will send multiple reminder emails to the company’s registered users leading up to the deadline for submitting the accounts.
How to deliver filings to the Registration Authority?
Filings should be made to the Registration Authority electronically via the Registry System.
What is the timeline to submit a waiver request?
Waiver requests must be submitted within 30 days of the fine or fee being triggered. Requests after 30 days may not be accepted unless there are exceptional circumstances.
How long does the waiver request process take?
Most requests are processed within 14 business days, but more complex cases may require additional time.
Can I submit a waiver request for multiple fines or late fees?
Each fine or late fee must have a separate waiver request, even if they are related to the same error.
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