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
IT & Software on Abu Dhabi Mainland
Software development, SaaS, app development, IT consulting and managed services
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
An 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. A mainland company in Abu Dhabi can hold a mainland office, hire staff under MOHRE contracts and register with the Chamber of Commerce for tenders. Technology licences are among the simplest to obtain and attract strong banking interest because revenue is contract-based and easy to evidence. Dubai zones add credibility with international customers. As a rule, typical examples of this activity include SaaS platform, mobile app studio, IT outsourcing and cybersecurity consulting, which can usually sit together on one Abu Dhabi licence.
As a rule, 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. Abu Dhabi holds around 90% of the UAE's oil reserves and most sovereign wealth. On the ground, abu Dhabi is a sensible home for it & software because software development, SaaS, app development, IT consulting and managed services is a well-understood activity there and the approvals are routine.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
Pricing for it & software on Abu Dhabi mainland depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. In short, the figures below for it & software 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
The document list for it & software on Abu Dhabi mainland is short, and most clients already have everything on it.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- Portfolio or company profile
- Attested parent-company documents for corporate shareholders
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- A tenancy contract for an office or shop registered with the emirate's system (Ejari in Dubai)
- 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
How Abu Dhabi works with GoldenKey
- 1
Activity and legal form
Crucially, we select the correct activity codes from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) list and the legal form, typically a LLC or a sole establishment.
- 2
Trade 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. For it & software on Abu Dhabi mainland, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
- 3
Office, MOA and submission
Just as important, after the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full file with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED).
- 4
Licence, Chamber and immigration
Importantly, the Abu Dhabi mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start. For it & software on Abu Dhabi mainland, GoldenKey completes this stage with you on WhatsApp or by email.
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 practice, with paperwork 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.
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.
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.
What approvals does it & software need?
None beyond the licence; data-hosting activities may need TDRA notification. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
Can I combine it & software with other activities?
From day one, 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?
Call or WhatsApp GoldenKey today and a consultant will walk you through it & software on Abu Dhabi mainland step by step, with no obligation and no pressure.
Good to know
More about Abu Dhabi
Why the UAE
The UAE sits within an eight-hour flight of two-thirds of the world's population, and that is why so many entrepreneurs choose it as a base for it & software on Abu Dhabi mainland. In our experience, english is the working language of business, contracts are routinely drafted in English, and government portals are bilingual, which simplifies it & software on Abu Dhabi mainland for international founders.
Why GoldenKey
Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for it & software on Abu Dhabi mainland happen the same day they are ready. Crucially, most of our Abu Dhabi clients come to us through referrals from other business owners, which is why we take pride in keeping every promise we put in writing. We speak the languages our clients speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for it & software on Abu Dhabi mainland.
