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. 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. GoldenKey helps founders compare Abu Dhabi mainland with the nearby free zones honestly, because the right answer depends on where your customers are.
Why Abu Dhabi
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. Government and semi-government tenders in Abu Dhabi require a mainland licence and Chamber of Commerce membership, both of which GoldenKey arranges. 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.
Documents required
The document list for costs of a mainland licence in Abu Dhabi is short, and most clients already have everything on it.
- 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 visa
- An attested degree for professional activities such as engineering or healthcare
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
- Passport photographs on a white background
Pricing
All prices for costs of a mainland licence in Abu Dhabi are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay. The figures below for costs of a mainland licence in Abu Dhabi are updated by GoldenKey whenever the licensing authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one.
- 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 2026-10-06.
Paying in instalments
Many Abu Dhabi packages can be paid in two or three instalments aligned to the licensing authority's own payment stages: initial approval, licence issue and visa processing. Ask GoldenKey about the schedule for your package.
Why the UAE
Day to day, there are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from costs of a mainland licence in Abu Dhabi can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely. Since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so costs of a mainland licence in Abu Dhabi no longer requires a local partner.
Why GoldenKey
Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for costs of a mainland licence 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 paperwork 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 costs of a mainland licence in Abu Dhabi.
In practice, 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 costs of a mainland licence in Abu Dhabi.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need an Emirati partner for a Abu Dhabi mainland company?
In our experience, 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 much office space do I need for a Abu Dhabi mainland licence?
From day one, 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?
On the ground, 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.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Abu Dhabi mainland company?
In our experience, 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.
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.
