WhatsApp quoteAn 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. 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. Typical examples of this activity include payment gateway tech, BNPL platform, wealth-tech app and regtech, which can as a rule sit together on one Abu Dhabi licence. GoldenKey has licensed fintech company businesses for clients in Abu Dhabi and knows which sub-activities to list so you are not asked to amend the licence later.
Why Abu Dhabi
As a rule, aDDED processes most licences within 2 to 5 working days (Monday to Friday). Abu Dhabi mainland licences are granted by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), which currently processes most standard files in around 5 working days. Put simply, for fintech & payments, Abu Dhabi offers the office options such a business actually needs and a visa quota that can grow with the team.
How Abu Dhabi works with GoldenKey
Step 1Activity and legal form
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. We keep a written record of this step so your file for fintech & payments on Abu Dhabi mainland is audit-ready.
Step 2Trade name and initial approval
Your trade name is reserved and initial approval secured from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), together with any external approvals the activity requires.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
Importantly, you sign the memorandum of association before the notary or online, we register your tenancy contract and submit the full file. For fintech & payments on Abu Dhabi mainland this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
Your Abu Dhabi mainland licence is granted, Chamber membership is activated and we open the establishment and labour files so visas can begin.
Documents required
For fintech & payments on Abu Dhabi mainland the authority asks for the following papers, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- The existing visa copy and NOC if a shareholder is on another UAE visa
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
- External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
- Passport photographs on a white background
- Attested parent-company papers for corporate shareholders
- A tenancy contract for an office or shop registered with the emirate's system (Ejari in Dubai)
Pricing
All prices for fintech & payments on Abu Dhabi mainland are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay. Pricing for fintech & payments on Abu Dhabi mainland depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated.
- 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.
Why the UAE
Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes fintech & payments on Abu Dhabi mainland a route to relocation as well as a business decision. Since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so fintech & payments on Abu Dhabi mainland no longer requires a local partner.
Why GoldenKey
Our quotations for fintech & payments on Abu Dhabi mainland list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for fintech & payments on Abu Dhabi mainland happen the same day they are ready. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped company owners from more than 60 countries with fintech & payments on Abu Dhabi mainland, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us.
From day one, book a call with GoldenKey and we will confirm your eligibility, your costs and your next steps for fintech & payments on Abu Dhabi mainland in a single conversation.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Abu Dhabi mainland company formation take?
Put simply, with supporting 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.
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.
Are Abu Dhabi mainland companies subject to corporate tax?
Yes, it can. 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.
Which licence type covers fintech & payments?
Fintech & Payments is classified as a professional activity, and GoldenKey selects the exact activity code so your licence matches what you actually do.
Can I combine fintech & payments with other activities?
In our experience, in most cases yes. Related activities can share one licence, while unrelated ones may need a general trading licence or a second licence.
