WhatsApp quoteAbu 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. An 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. Thai food, hospitality and jewellery brands have a strong presence in the UAE market, which gives Thai entrepreneurs a ready market and supply chain the moment their Abu Dhabi licence is issued. Thai nationals are a community in hospitality, spa and wellness, food and jewellery, so the Abu Dhabi authority, the banks and the immigration officers see Thai applications every day and process them without hesitation.
Why Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi mainland licences are issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), which currently processes most standard files in around 5 working days. As a rule, in-Country Value (ICV) certification boosts success in government and ADNOC tenders.
How Abu Dhabi works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
As a rule, we select the correct activity codes from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) list and the legal form, generally 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. If the authority raises a query on opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Thai founder at this stage, we handle it the same day.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
After the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full file with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED).
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
Just as important, the Abu Dhabi mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start. If the authority raises a query on opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Thai founder at this stage, we handle it the same day.
Documents required
The document list for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Thai founder is short, and most clients already have everything on it.
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or bank statement, requested by some zones
- A no-objection certificate from your employer if you hold a UAE employment visa
- Company profile
- Attested parent-company documents and a board resolution if the shareholder is a company
- A passport issued by Thailand with at least six months' validity
- A passport-size photograph on a white background
Pricing
Crucially, the figures below for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Thai founder are updated by GoldenKey whenever the issuing authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. All prices for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Thai founder are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay.
- 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
Since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Thai founder no longer requires a local partner. Put simply, the UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, which is why so many founders choose it as a base for opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Thai founder.
Why GoldenKey
In short, most of our Abu Dhabi clients come to us through referrals from other entrepreneurs, which is why we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Thai founder, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. To be clear, if a document is missing or an approval is delayed on your Abu Dhabi file, we tell you immediately and explain the fix, rather than letting the application sit.
Call or WhatsApp GoldenKey today and an adviser will walk you through opening an oil and gas services company in the UAE as a Thai founder step by step, with no obligation and no pressure.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Abu Dhabi mainland company formation take?
In our experience, with documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) typically issues the licence within 5 working days. External approvals for regulated activities add time.
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?
Crucially, 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.
Can a Thai citizen own 100% of a company in Abu Dhabi?
Absolutely. Thai nationals can own the full share capital of a Abu Dhabi company with no local partner, exactly like any other nationality.
Is oil & gas services allowed in Abu Dhabi?
Yes — Thai 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.
