Skip to content

UAEGet your business licence in just 60 minutes

+971 55 671 5001 info@goldenkeybcs.com
Golden KeyBusiness & Consultant Services Get Started
MAINLAND · ABU DHABI

Abu Dhabi Mainland Activities

The capital — government contracts, energy supply chains and the Tajer Abu Dhabi licence

5–7 daysSetup time100%OwnershipUp to 3 visasVisas
Get my exact cost WhatsApp us
  • 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 Abu Dhabi

Choosing Abu Dhabi mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate clients recognise without a second thought. To be clear, 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. Since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Abu Dhabi mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection founders used to have.

Day to day, aDDED processes most licences within 2 to 5 business days. Among the strengths of an Abu Dhabi mainland licence are access to ADNOC and government supply chains and Tajer licence with no office for 2 years, and that is why local service businesses gravitate here. As a rule, popular districts for an Abu Dhabi mainland office include Al Reem Island, Khalifa City, Mussafah, Al Maryah Island and Corniche, each with different rent levels and customer footfall.

Get my exact cost Abu Dhabi overview
Packages & cost

Pricing — choose the right package for your business

On the ground, use the table below to compare packages for activities on the mainland in Abu Dhabi; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation. All prices for activities on the mainland in Abu Dhabi are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay.

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
Get started
Most chosen

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
Get started

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
Get started
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 2026-10-27.

Business activities

Full list of Abu Dhabi activities

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.

Search all UAE activities
Required documents

Documents required

In our experience, gather these paperwork and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of activities on the mainland in Abu Dhabi.

Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.

For individuals

  • Attested parent-company paperwork for corporate shareholders
  • The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
  • Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
  • External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
  • A tenancy contract for an office or shop registered with the emirate's system (Ejari in Dubai)
  • 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
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers about Abu Dhabi. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.

View all FAQs
How long does Abu Dhabi mainland company formation take?

With papers 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.

Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Abu Dhabi mainland company?

Just as important, 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.

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.

What is the difference between Abu Dhabi mainland and a free zone?

In our experience, 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.

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.

Get a free quote

Ready to start your business in Abu Dhabi?

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.

By submitting this form, you agree to be contacted by our team regarding your enquiry. Prefer chat? WhatsApp us.

Good to know

More about Abu Dhabi

Activities that need extra approval

In short, healthcare, education, legal consultancy, financial services and food require approvals from regulators outside Abu Dhabi. GoldenKey identifies these at the first consultation so the timeline and cost in your quotation already include them.

Adding activities later

If your business changes direction, Abu Dhabi allows an activity amendment at any time for a modest authority fee. We process the amendment and update your bank and tax records so every document stays consistent.

Why the UAE

The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for activities on the mainland in Abu Dhabi and makes international pricing simple. In practice, the UAE's reputation as a trading hub means international clients and suppliers already trust a UAE licence, which shortens sales cycles for activities on the mainland in Abu Dhabi.

Why GoldenKey

Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for activities on the mainland in Abu Dhabi happen the same day they are ready. Because GoldenKey works with the licensing authority, the immigration department and the banks every single week, we know exactly which supporting documents each of them will ask for on an Abu Dhabi file. We speak the languages our clients speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for activities on the mainland in Abu Dhabi.

Activity groups

General TradingCommercial licenceE-commerceCommercial licenceIT & SoftwareProfessional licenceBusiness ConsultingProfessional licenceMarketing & Advertising AgencyProfessional licenceReal Estate BrokerageCommercial licenceRestaurant & CaféCommercial licenceRetail ShopCommercial licenceLogistics & Freight ForwardingCommercial licenceImport & ExportCommercial licenceManufacturing & IndustrialIndustrial licenceConstruction & ContractingCommercial licenceHealthcare ClinicProfessional licenceEducation & TrainingProfessional licenceMedia & Content ProductionProfessional licenceRecruitment & HR ServicesProfessional licenceTravel & Tourism AgencyCommercial licenceEvent ManagementProfessional licenceInterior Design & Fit-outProfessional licenceCleaning & Facilities ManagementCommercial licenceBeauty Salon & SpaCommercial licenceFitness & SportsProfessional licencePhotography & VideographyProfessional licenceLegal ConsultancyProfessional licenceAccounting & BookkeepingProfessional licenceAutomotive & Spare Parts TradingCommercial licenceGold & Jewellery TradingCommercial licenceCrypto & BlockchainProfessional licenceFintech & PaymentsProfessional licenceTourism & HospitalityCommercial licenceTextile & Garments TradingCommercial licencePerfume & Cosmetics TradingCommercial licenceFoodstuff TradingCommercial licenceEngineering ConsultancyProfessional licenceArchitecture & DesignProfessional licencePrinting & PackagingIndustrial licenceCar Rental & LeasingCommercial licencePharmaceutical & Medical SuppliesCommercial licenceOil & Gas ServicesCommercial licenceMaritime & Ship ServicesCommercial licenceHolding CompanyCommercial licence
WhatsApp Call us