WhatsApp quoteAn Abu Dhabi mainland licence, issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), lets your company trade anywhere in the UAE, bid for government work and open as many branches as you need. GoldenKey helps founders compare Abu Dhabi mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are. Day to day, 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. As we tell every client, saudi-UAE trade is the largest intra-GCC flow, and many Saudi groups use Dubai as a regional and international base, which gives Saudi entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Abu Dhabi licence is issued.
Why Abu Dhabi
An Abu Dhabi mainland company can apply for an unlimited visa quota in proportion to its office space, which free zone packages cannot match. 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
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
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. For opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Saudi founder this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
Just as important, 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
From day one, the Abu Dhabi mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start. For opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Saudi founder, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
Documents required
Gather these papers and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Saudi founder.
- A bank statement from your Saudi Arabia bank for the last three months, which banks use to understand your profile
- Attested parent-company supporting documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- Company profile
- A clear passport copy for each shareholder and manager, valid for at least six months
Pricing
As a rule, the figures below for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Saudi founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. Put simply, use the table below to compare packages for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Saudi founder; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation.
- 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
As we tell every client, residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Saudi founder a route to relocation as well as a business decision. 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 a Saudi founder predictable.
Why GoldenKey
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 a Saudi founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. Importantly, our quotations for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Saudi founder list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before any payment anything. 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 Saudi founder happen the same day they are ready.
As a rule, start your Abu Dhabi journey with a free consultation: share a few details about your business and we will map out the fastest route to your licence.
Frequently asked questions
How much office space do I need for a Abu Dhabi mainland licence?
Day to day, 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.
How long does Abu Dhabi mainland company formation take?
From day one, with documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) normally issues the licence within 5 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
What is the difference between Abu Dhabi mainland and a free zone?
Mainland companies can trade directly with any UAE customer and take government contracts; free zone companies have lower costs and customs benefits but trade with the mainland through distributors. GoldenKey compares both for your specific activity.
Is oil & gas services allowed in Abu Dhabi?
Yes, it can. Saudi 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.
Can a Saudi citizen own 100% of a company in Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Saudi nationals can own the full share capital of a Abu Dhabi company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
