WhatsApp quoteImportantly, abu Dhabi is the capital — government contracts, energy supply chains and the Tajer Abu Dhabi licence, and GoldenKey registers mainland companies there with the economic department week in, week out. Choosing Abu Dhabi mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate clients recognise without a second thought. To be clear, serving ADNOC and other operators requires supplier registration and often an In-Country Value score, which favours Abu Dhabi mainland entities. Equipment traders can work from Jebel Ali or Hamriyah free zones. For most clients, for French entrepreneurs, the UAE is around 7 hours from Paris, the UAE is 2 to 3 hours ahead of France, and English is used for business, and French-speaking advisers are easy to find in Dubai.
Why Abu Dhabi
Importantly, businesses that benefit most from Abu Dhabi mainland licensing include oil and gas services, contracting, engineering, healthcare and education, because they serve customers on site across the emirate. In-Country Value (ICV) certification boosts success in government and ADNOC tenders.
How Abu Dhabi works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
We select the correct activity codes from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) list and the legal form, usually a LLC or a sole establishment.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
GoldenKey files the name reservation and initial-approval request with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and obtains sector approvals where needed. For opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a French founder this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
In practice, you sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
The Abu Dhabi mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a French founder.
Documents required
Gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a French founder.
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- Your current residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- A passport issued by France with at least six months' validity
- Company profile
Pricing
The figures below for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a French founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. Pricing for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a French founder depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated.
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- GoldenKey full assistance
| Additional visa | AED 3,200 |
|---|---|
| Annual renewal | AED 10,000 |
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-07.
Why the UAE
English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a French founder for international business owners. The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many company owners choose it as a base for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a French founder.
Why GoldenKey
Our quotations for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a French founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything. As we tell every client, most of our Abu Dhabi clients come to us through referrals from other entrepreneurs, and that is why we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a French founder happen the same day they are ready.
Ready to start? Send us a WhatsApp message with your nationality, the activity you have in mind and the number of visas you need, and we will reply shortly with a written quotation for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a French founder.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Abu Dhabi mainland company trade in other emirates?
Yes, it can. A mainland licence is valid across the UAE, and you can open branches in other emirates by registering with their economic departments.
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Abu Dhabi mainland company?
For most commercial and industrial activities, no. Since 2021 foreign nationals can own 100% of a Abu Dhabi mainland LLC. A short list of strategic activities still requires Emirati participation, and GoldenKey checks your activity before you commit.
How long does Abu Dhabi mainland company formation take?
With documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) typically issues the licence within 5 business days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
What approvals does oil & gas services need?
Put simply, aDNOC or operator vendor registration; ICV certification. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
Can a French citizen own 100% of a company in Abu Dhabi?
Yes. French nationals can own the full share capital of a Abu Dhabi company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
