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
Manufacturing & Industrial on Abu Dhabi Mainland
Producing, assembling, processing or packaging goods in a factory or industrial unit
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
As we tell every client, choosing Abu Dhabi mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate clients recognise without a second thought. Crucially, 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. Importantly, manufacturing & Industrial in Abu Dhabi means producing, assembling, processing or packaging goods in a factory or industrial unit, and it is licensed as an industrial activity. From day one, typical examples of this activity include food processing, packaging, furniture production and plastics, which can usually sit together on one Abu Dhabi licence.
To be clear, 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. An Abu Dhabi mainland company can apply for an unlimited visa quota in proportion to its office space, which free zone packages cannot match. GoldenKey has licensed manufacturing & industrial in Abu Dhabi for customers ranging from solo company owners to groups opening a regional branch, so we know which sub-activities to list.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
Pricing for manufacturing & industrial on Abu Dhabi mainland depends on the package you choose; every option below includes GoldenKey's service and the government fees stated. All prices for manufacturing & industrial on Abu Dhabi mainland are indicative, shown in AED and confirmed in writing before you pay.
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
As we tell every client, for manufacturing & industrial on Abu Dhabi mainland the authority asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- Attested parent-company documents for corporate shareholders
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
- Production process description
- Passport photographs on a white background
- External approvals where the activity requires them, for example from the health authority, RERA or the municipality
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
We select the correct activity codes from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) list and the legal form, usually a LLC or a sole establishment. For manufacturing & industrial on Abu Dhabi mainland this step rarely needs your presence; scans and e-signatures are enough.
- 2
Trade name and initial approval
GoldenKey files the name reservation and initial-approval request with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and obtains sector approvals where needed.
- 3
Office, MOA and submission
After the MOA is signed and the office tenancy registered, GoldenKey lodges the full file with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED). Nothing is submitted for manufacturing & industrial on Abu Dhabi mainland until you have reviewed and approved it.
- 4
Licence, Chamber and immigration
The Abu Dhabi mainland licence is released, Chamber membership activated, and we open the establishment and labour files so visa processing can start.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about Abu Dhabi. Anything else — ask GK AI or message us.
View all FAQsCan I convert my free zone company to a Abu Dhabi mainland company?
As a rule, 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.
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.
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 combine manufacturing & industrial 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.
Is manufacturing & industrial allowed in Abu Dhabi?
Yes. Manufacturing & Industrial is an available activity in {ent}, and GoldenKey lists the exact sub-activities on your licence. Civil defence, environment department, Ministry of Industry (for certain products).
Get a free quote
Ready to start your business in Abu Dhabi?
Crucially, if you would like a written quotation for manufacturing & industrial on Abu Dhabi mainland, use the form below or message us on WhatsApp and we will respond as soon as possible.
Good to know
More about Abu Dhabi
Why the UAE
There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from manufacturing & industrial on Abu Dhabi mainland can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely. Residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes manufacturing & industrial on Abu Dhabi mainland a route to relocation as well as a business decision.
Why GoldenKey
Our quotations for manufacturing & industrial on Abu Dhabi mainland list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before a single dirham changes hands anything. Crucially, we will tell you plainly if Abu Dhabi is not the right choice for your plan and point you to a better option, even when that option costs less. As a rule, we speak the languages our clients speak, including English, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and Malayalam, and we can arrange Russian, French and Mandarin support for manufacturing & industrial on Abu Dhabi mainland.
