WhatsApp quoteOn the ground, mainland company formation in Abu Dhabi is the right choice when your customers are inside the UAE, when you need a shop, clinic or contracting classification, or when visa quota matters. A mainland company in Abu Dhabi can hold a mainland office, hire staff under MOHRE contracts and register with the Chamber of Commerce for tenders. Irish aircraft lessors and agri-food exporters are major players in the UAE market, which gives Irish entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Abu Dhabi licence is issued. In short, irish nationals are a lively community of more than 10,000, strong in aviation leasing, construction, education and hospitality, so the Abu Dhabi authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Irish applications every day and process them without hesitation.
Why Abu Dhabi
To be clear, abu Dhabi mainland licences are granted by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), which currently processes most standard files in around 5 working days. Government and semi-government tenders in Abu Dhabi require a mainland licence and Chamber of Commerce membership, both of which GoldenKey arranges.
How Abu Dhabi works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
To be clear, we pick the precise activity codes from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) list and settle on the legal form — normally a LLC, or a sole establishment for individual professionals. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as an Irish founder.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
To be clear, your trade name is reserved and initial approval secured from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), together with any external approvals the activity requires.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
The memorandum of association is signed (online or before the notary), your tenancy is registered and the complete file is submitted to the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED). Your portal shows the status of this step for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as an Irish founder in real time.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
In practice, your Abu Dhabi mainland licence is issued, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin.
Documents required
Gather these supporting documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as an Irish founder.
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
- A short business plan or activity description for certain professional activities
- The UAE entry stamp or visa page if you are already in the country
- Educational certificates attested by the Ireland authorities and the UAE embassy, for professional activities
- Your current UAE residence visa and Emirates ID copy if you are a UAE resident
Pricing
All prices for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as an Irish founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay. In practice, the figures below for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as an Irish founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one.
- 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
Put simply, banking, logistics, telecoms and digital government services in the UAE are among the most advanced in the region, which keeps the running costs of opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as an Irish founder predictable. To be clear, there are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as an Irish founder can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey's consultants have handled opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as an Irish founder for traders, consultants, tech founders and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped entrepreneurs from more than 60 countries with opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as an Irish founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. In short, you deal with one named consultant from the first call until your Abu Dhabi licence, visa and bank introduction are complete, and that consultant answers your WhatsApp messages personally.
If you would like a written quotation for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as an Irish founder, use the form below or message us on WhatsApp and we will respond as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Abu Dhabi mainland company trade in other emirates?
Yes. A mainland licence is valid across the UAE, and you can open branches in other emirates by registering with their economic departments.
Are Abu Dhabi mainland companies subject to corporate tax?
Yes. Mainland companies pay 9% corporate tax on profits above AED 375,000 and must register with the FTA, which GoldenKey handles as part of your setup.
How much office space do I need for a Abu Dhabi mainland licence?
The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) requires a registered tenancy for most licences. A small office or a desk in a business centre is enough for a few visas, and the visa quota increases with the floor area.
Is oil & gas services allowed in Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Irish nationals can own 100% of an oil and gas services company in the UAE. {brand} recommends Abu Dhabi for this activity and confirms any sector approvals before you commit.
How long does the process take for Irish applicants?
Processing for Irish nationals follows the same timeline as other nationalities. Documents from Ireland that need attestation are the main variable, and GoldenKey guides you through that step.
