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
Abu Dhabi Mainland Licence Renewal
The capital — government contracts, energy supply chains and the Tajer Abu Dhabi licence
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
Since the 2021 ownership reforms, most Abu Dhabi mainland activities allow 100% foreign ownership, which removed the biggest objection business owners used to have. 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. To be clear, choosing Abu Dhabi mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate customers recognise without a second thought.
Importantly, 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. To be clear, 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. Put simply, government and semi-government tenders in Abu Dhabi require a mainland licence and Chamber of Commerce membership, both of which GoldenKey arranges.
Packages & cost
Pricing — choose the right package for your business
In practice, the figures below for renewing a mainland licence in Abu Dhabi are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. As a rule, use the table below to compare packages for renewing a mainland licence in Abu Dhabi; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation.
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
In our experience, gather these documents and GoldenKey will take care of the rest of renewing a mainland licence in Abu Dhabi.
Scanned colour copies are enough to start. We check every item before anything is submitted.
For individuals
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
- 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
- An attested degree for professional activities such as engineering or healthcare
- Passport photographs on a white background
- 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
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?
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.
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.
Can a Abu Dhabi mainland company trade in other emirates?
Yes. A mainland licence is valid across the UAE, and you can open branches in other emirates by registering with their economic departments.
Can I convert my free zone company to a Abu Dhabi mainland company?
Crucially, 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 is the difference between Abu Dhabi mainland and a free zone?
As we tell every client, 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.
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In practice, start your Abu Dhabi journey with a free consultation: share a few details about your business and we will map out the fastest route to your licence.
Good to know
More about Abu Dhabi
Documents for renewal
Renewal in Abu Dhabi normally needs only updated passport copies, the previous licence and payment. If the authority requires audited accounts for your company size, GoldenKey can arrange bookkeeping and audit in time.
What a renewal includes
A standard Abu Dhabi renewal covers the licence fee, the lease or flexi-desk renewal and the establishment card. Visa renewals are separate and fall due on each visa's own expiry date, which may not coincide with the licence.
Why the UAE
Since 2021, most mainland activities have allowed 100% foreign ownership, and free zones have always offered it, so renewing a mainland licence in Abu Dhabi no longer requires a local partner. There are no restrictions on repatriating profits or capital, so earnings from renewing a mainland licence in Abu Dhabi can be moved to your home country or reinvested freely.
Why GoldenKey
For most clients, after your Abu Dhabi licence is issued, the same team handles renewals, visa additions, amendments and tax registrations, so you never have to explain your business twice. Our office is a short drive from the Ajman Free Zone, Ajman DED and the immigration centre, so physical submissions for renewing a mainland licence in Abu Dhabi happen the same day they are ready. 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.
