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
Business Consulting on Abu Dhabi Mainland
Management, strategy, HR, marketing or operations consulting for corporate clients
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 Abu Dhabi
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. 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. Crucially, consulting is the most common professional licence in the UAE. One licence can typically list several consulting sub-activities, and you can invoice clients worldwide from day one. Typical examples of this activity include management consultancy, HR consultancy, marketing consultancy and project management, which can usually sit together on one Abu Dhabi licence.
On the ground, 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. Government and semi-government tenders in Abu Dhabi require a mainland licence and Chamber of Commerce membership, both of which GoldenKey arranges. On the ground, for business consulting, Abu Dhabi offers the office options such a business actually needs and a visa quota that can grow with the team.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
All prices for business consulting on Abu Dhabi mainland are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay. Importantly, the figures below for business consulting on Abu Dhabi mainland 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 2026-10-27.
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
Here is what you will need for business consulting on Abu Dhabi mainland; GoldenKey checks every item before submission.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- Degree or experience evidence may be requested for some sub-activities
- 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
- Attested parent-company supporting documents for corporate shareholders
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
- A tenancy contract for an office or shop registered with the emirate's system (Ejari in Dubai)
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
How Abu Dhabi works with GoldenKey
- 1
Activity and legal form
In practice, 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. Nothing is submitted for business consulting on Abu Dhabi mainland until you have reviewed and approved it.
- 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
Day to day, after the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full application with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED). Expect clear updates from your GoldenKey consultant while this step runs for business consulting on Abu Dhabi mainland.
- 4
Licence, Chamber and immigration
To be clear, your Abu Dhabi mainland licence is issued, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about Abu Dhabi. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsHow long does Abu Dhabi mainland company formation take?
In short, with documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) in most cases 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.
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.
Is business consulting allowed in Abu Dhabi?
Absolutely. Business Consulting is an available activity in {ent}, and GoldenKey lists the exact sub-activities on your licence. None for general management consulting; financial, legal and engineering advice have separate rules.
Can I combine business consulting with other activities?
In most cases yes. Related activities can share one licence, while unrelated ones may need a general trading licence or a second licence.
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Abu Dhabi?
Ready to start? Send us a WhatsApp message with your nationality, the activity you have in mind and the number of visas you need, and we will reply shortly with a written quotation for business consulting on Abu Dhabi mainland.
Good to know
More about Abu Dhabi
Why the UAE
English is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies business consulting on Abu Dhabi mainland for international company owners. As a rule, since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so business consulting on Abu Dhabi mainland no longer requires a local partner.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with business consulting on Abu Dhabi mainland, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. In short, most of our Abu Dhabi customers come to us through referrals from other business owners, and that is why we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing. Just as important, our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for business consulting on Abu Dhabi mainland happen the same day they are ready.
