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. Choosing Abu Dhabi mainland gives you a licence that landlords, government departments and large corporate clients recognise without a second thought. Importantly, external approvals for restaurant & café are: municipality food control, civil defence and, for alcohol, the relevant licensing authority. GoldenKey has licensed restaurant or café 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
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. In practice, in-Country Value (ICV) certification boosts success in government and ADNOC tenders. For restaurant & café, 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
Just as important, we select the correct activity codes from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) list and the legal form, in most cases a LLC or a sole establishment. Nothing is submitted for restaurant & café on Abu Dhabi mainland until you have reviewed and approved it.
Step 2Trade 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.
Step 3Office, MOA and submission
The memorandum of association is signed (online or before the notary), your tenancy is registered and the complete file is submitted to the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED). We keep a written record of this step so your file for restaurant & café on Abu Dhabi mainland is audit-ready.
Step 4Licence, Chamber and immigration
With the licence in hand we register with the Chamber of Commerce and open the immigration and MOHRE files for your visas.
Documents required
For most clients, for restaurant & café on Abu Dhabi mainland the authority asks for the following documents, and we tell you exactly how each must be formatted.
- A tenancy contract for an office or shop registered with the emirate's system (Ejari in Dubai)
- Tenancy contract for the outlet
- Passport copies of all shareholders and the manager
- The notarised memorandum of association, which GoldenKey drafts for you
- The existing visa copy and NOC if a shareholder is on another UAE visa
- Passport photographs on a white background
Pricing
To be clear, the figures below for restaurant & café on Abu Dhabi mainland are updated by GoldenKey whenever the authority changes its fees, so the price you see is the current one. From day one, use the table below to compare packages for restaurant & café on Abu Dhabi mainland; we will confirm the exact total for your case in a written quotation.
- 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 2026-10-07.
Why the UAE
Just as important, the dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, which removes currency risk for restaurant & café on Abu Dhabi mainland and makes international pricing simple. In our experience, residence visas for owners and families come with the company, which makes restaurant & café on Abu Dhabi mainland a route to relocation as well as a business decision.
Why GoldenKey
GoldenKey's consultants have handled restaurant & café on Abu Dhabi mainland for traders, consultants, tech entrepreneurs and family offices, which gives us a realistic view of what each authority approves quickly. GoldenKey is based in Ajman Free Zone and has helped founders from more than 60 countries with restaurant & café on Abu Dhabi mainland, so the paperwork, approvals and timing hold no surprises for us. Our quotations for restaurant & café on Abu Dhabi mainland list every government fee and our service fee on one page, in writing, before you pay anything.
Day to day, if you would like a written quotation for restaurant & café on Abu Dhabi mainland, use the form below or message us on WhatsApp and we will respond as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Abu Dhabi mainland company formation take?
For most clients, with documents and a tenancy contract ready, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) usually 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?
For most clients, 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.
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.
What approvals does restaurant & café need?
In our experience, municipality food control, civil defence and, for alcohol, the relevant licensing authority. GoldenKey obtains these as part of the setup.
Which licence type covers restaurant & café?
Restaurant & Café is classified as a commercial activity, and GoldenKey selects the exact activity code so your licence matches what you actually do.
