1 Visa Package
1 residence visa · 1-year licence
AED 14,850
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 1 visa eligibility
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
MAINLAND · ABU DHABI
Abu Dhabi Mainland Company Formation
The capital — government contracts, energy supply chains and the Tajer Abu Dhabi licence
5–7 daysSetup time100%OwnershipUp to 3 visasVisas
- 5–7 daysSetup time
- MainlandLicence type
- Flexi | PhysicalOffice / facility
- Up to 3 visasVisa eligibility
- StandardApprovals needed
- From AED 11,000Renewal cost
About Abu Dhabi
Why founders choose Abu Dhabi
GoldenKey helps entrepreneurs compare Abu Dhabi mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are. Just as important, since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Abu Dhabi mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection company owners used to have. An Abu Dhabi mainland licence, released 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.
Crucially, the Tajer Abu Dhabi licence allows over 1,000 activities without a physical office for two years. An Abu Dhabi mainland company can apply for an unlimited visa quota in proportion to its office space, which free zone packages cannot match. Day to day, 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. 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.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
All prices for Abu Dhabi Mainland Company Formation are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay. The figures below for Abu Dhabi Mainland Company Formation are updated by GoldenKey whenever the registrar changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one.
2 Visa Package
2 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 19,800
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 2 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
3 Visa Package
3 residence visas · 1-year licence
AED 24,750
- Trade licence & registration
- Establishment card included
- 3 visa eligibilities
- Flexi-desk / office options
- GoldenKey PRO support
Additional visaAED 3,520
Annual renewalAED 11,000
Prices are indicative, in AED, exclusive of 5% VAT where applicable, and confirmed in writing before payment. Last updated 2026-10-24.
Business activities
Explore business activities in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi licenses trading, service, professional and industrial activities. Search every activity we license across the UAE and see where it is available and what it costs.
Required documents
Documents required
To be clear, gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of Abu Dhabi Mainland Company Formation.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- Attested parent-company documents for corporate shareholders
- Passport photographs on a white background
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
- An attested degree for professional activities such as engineering or healthcare
- External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
- The existing visa copy and NOC if a shareholder is on another UAE visaif applicable
For companies
- Certificate of incorporation (attested)
- Memorandum & articles of association
- Board resolution approving the UAE company
- Passport copies of shareholders & directors
- Company profile / business plan
Our process
Step by step
- 1
Activity and legal form
GoldenKey maps your business to the right Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) activity codes and recommends the legal form that fits ownership and liability needs. If the authority raises a query on Abu Dhabi Mainland Company Formation at this stage, we handle it the same day.
- 2
Trade name and initial approval
GoldenKey reserves your trade name and obtains initial approval from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), including any external approvals your activity needs.
- 3
Office, MOA and submission
You sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file. Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for Abu Dhabi Mainland Company Formation.
- 4
Licence, Chamber and immigration
In short, with the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about Abu Dhabi. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsDo I still need an Emirati partner for a Abu Dhabi mainland company?
In short, 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 paperwork 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.
How much office space do I need for a Abu Dhabi mainland licence?
Put simply, 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.
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.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Abu Dhabi mainland company?
You cannot convert directly, but you can open a mainland branch of your free zone company or set up a new mainland LLC and transfer the business. GoldenKey advises on the most tax-efficient route.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Abu Dhabi?
As a rule, call or WhatsApp GoldenKey today and an adviser will walk you through Abu Dhabi Mainland Company Formation step by step, with no obligation and no pressure.
Good to know
More about Abu Dhabi
Why the UAE
As a rule, banking, logistics, telecoms and digital government services in the UAE are among the most advanced in the region, which keeps the running costs of Abu Dhabi Mainland Company Formation predictable. To be clear, residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes Abu Dhabi Mainland Company Formation a route to relocation as well as a business decision.
Why GoldenKey
We speak the languages our customers speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for Abu Dhabi Mainland Company Formation. GoldenKey builds its own CRM and client portal, so you can see the status of your Abu Dhabi application, download your documents and pay invoices from your phone. Importantly, 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.
Timeline
The sequence below shows what happens after you approve the quotation for Abu Dhabi Mainland Company Formation.
- Day 0Quotation approved, documents collected and checked by GoldenKey.
- Day 1–2Trade name reserved and initial approval requested for Abu Dhabi Mainland Company Formation.
- Day 2–7Authority review and issue of the licence; we chase any query the same day.
- Week 2–3Establishment card, visa entry permit, medical test and Emirates ID; bank introduction in parallel.
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