Merritt is a network of independent, privately held companies offering corporate, legal, and residency-related services in Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the United States.
Rather than functioning as a single legal entity, Merritt operates through a decentralized model, where each regional company remains legally distinct while adhering to a unified operational identity and service philosophy.
This structure enables Merritt to provide jurisdiction-specific services while maintaining consistency across its international operations. A distinguishing characteristic of the Merritt network is its organizational model. Unlike multinational corporations with centralized control, Merritt is comprised of separate legal entities that collaborate under a common brand.
These include Merritt Asia Limited (Hong Kong), Merritt Middle East DMCC (Dubai), Merritt Legal Consultants FZ-LLC (Ras Al Khaimah), and Merritt USA LLC (Orlando, Florida). Each entity is responsible for regulatory compliance in its respective jurisdiction and specializes in services adapted to local legal and administrative requirements.
This decentralized, privately owned structure offers several operational advantages. First, it allows each company to navigate and adapt to local regulatory frameworks without being constrained by centralized corporate governance.
Second, it supports greater autonomy in service delivery, pricing, and client engagement, tailored to regional business culture and market demand. While independent, these companies operate under a coordinated approach, sharing knowledge, practices, and brand consistency across markets.
The foundation of this structure dates back to 2019, when the original founders of Merritt retired. In response, a foundation was created to consolidate the individual companies and maintain operational alignment across the network.
This foundation serves as a central governance mechanism, helping coordinate strategic objectives and uphold the brand’s professional standards. With the creation of the foundation, all companies adopted “Merritt” as the consistent brand name, replacing earlier identifiers such as “Asia Services” and “Hai Yang,” used in Hong Kong before the rebranding.
Merritt’s legal entities serve distinct roles based on their geographical and regulatory context. For example, Merritt Asia Limited in Hong Kong provides company secretary services and is registered on the Hong Kong Companies Registry as a Trust or Company Service Provider (TCSP).
It handles company incorporation and administrative tasks aligned with Hong Kong’s regulatory framework. In the UAE, Merritt Middle East DMCC focuses on free zone company formation, license renewals, and visa support, while Merritt Legal Consultants FZ-LLC delivers legal advisory services in areas such as contract law, labor law, and succession planning.
Merritt USA LLC, based in Florida, facilitates business registration in the U.S. for both domestic and international entrepreneurs. Despite operating in three different regions, Merritt places a strong emphasis on language and market adaptability.
The network began offering French-speaking services in 2004 and Spanish-speaking services in 2009. In 2012, these services were consolidated in the UAE, particularly in Dubai, where business hours align more closely with Europe, allowing the team to provide real-time assistance to French and Spanish-speaking clients.
Merritt’s multilingual approach is reinforced by its presence in regional directories and institutional listings. For instance, Merritt Legal Consultants is included in the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official directory of French-speaking legal professionals in Dubai.
It is also listed on local expatriate platforms like dubaimadame.com, which cater to French-speaking residents in the UAE. These listings contribute to Merritt’s visibility and relevance among non-English-speaking professionals seeking services in the Gulf region.
The network’s foundation-based governance, multilingual capabilities, and jurisdiction-specific expertise position it to meet the diverse needs of entrepreneurs and companies operating in multiple international contexts. Through this model, Merritt continues to offer a structure that is both committed and responsive to the changing demands of the global business environment.
