Abu Dhabi Mainland
Abu Dhabi Mainland
The capital's licence — built for government, energy and infrastructure work.
100%
Foreign ownership on most activities
2,000+
Approved business activities
0%
Tax on profits up to AED 375,000
1–3
Weeks typical setup time
Overview
We handle the licence, the paperwork, the visas and the bank account — you focus on the business. Mainland, free zone or offshore, Evolva takes you from decision to trading in weeks.
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and its largest emirate, and holds most of the country's oil wealth — but that is no longer the whole story. The emirate is spending heavily to grow beyond oil: technology, finance, manufacturing, tourism and renewable energy are all expanding. Hub71 backs startups, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) offers incentives to new businesses, and ADGM has become one of the region's leading financial centres.
An Abu Dhabi mainland company is licensed by the Abu Dhabi Registration and Licensing Authority (ADRA), part of the Department of Economic Development (ADDED), and can trade anywhere in the UAE. Most mainland activities no longer need a local sponsor — foreign investors can hold 100% ownership — and an Abu Dhabi licence puts you close to major government spending, with federal agencies and giants like ADNOC headquartered in the emirate.
At Evolva, we compare mainland, free zone and offshore against your actual plans, then handle activity selection, trade name reservation, documentation, licensing, visas and your corporate bank account — one team, one point of contact.
Why Start a Business in Abu Dhabi?
The capital combines low, simple taxes with direct proximity to the UAE's largest government and energy-sector spending.
100%
Foreign Ownership
Most mainland activities no longer need a local sponsor. Free zones have always allowed full foreign ownership.
0% / 9%
Low, Simple Taxes
No personal income tax. Corporate tax is 0% up to AED 375,000 profit and 9% above. Qualifying free zone income can stay at 0%.
Direct
Access to Government Contracts
Federal agencies and giants like ADNOC are headquartered in Abu Dhabi — an Abu Dhabi licence puts you close to that spending.
2,000+
Approved Business Activities
ADDED lists over 2,000 approved activities across commercial, professional, industrial, tourism, agricultural and occupational categories.
No Office
Tajer Abu Dhabi Licence
Many activities can start with no physical office at all under the Tajer Abu Dhabi licence, cutting the cost of starting significantly.
Instant
TAMM Instant Licence
Eligible activities can be issued a licence in a single step through the TAMM government platform, without the standard multi-step process.
Mainland, Free Zone or Offshore?
This is the first decision in any company setup in Abu Dhabi — it shapes your costs, your ownership and where you can trade.
| Factor | Mainland | Free Zone | Offshore |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade anywhere in the UAE | Yes | Inside the zone (or dual licence) | No — international only |
| Foreign ownership | 100% for most activities | 100% | 100% |
| Government contracts | Yes | Limited | No |
| Office requirement | Flexible — Tajer needs none | Flexi-desk options | None |
| Best for | Local customers, retail, contracts | Exporters, tech, media, finance | Holding assets, international trade |
A simple rule of thumb: if your customers are in the UAE, go mainland. If they are abroad, a free zone usually costs less. If you just need a holding structure, offshore may fit.
Business Licence Types in Abu Dhabi
Your business activity decides your licence. Abu Dhabi issues six main types through ADRA.
Commercial Licence
Trading, import, export and retail activities.
Professional Licence
Consultants, engineers, designers and other service providers.
Industrial Licence
Manufacturing and processing activities.
Tourism Licence
Hotels, travel agencies and tour operators.
Agricultural Licence
Farming and related trade activities.
Occupational Licence
Skilled trades and crafts.
Legal Structures for Company Formation in Abu Dhabi
Most clients end up with an LLC or a free zone entity, but branches and holding structures can save real money in the right situation. Evolva advises on this free of charge before you commit.
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
The standard choice for most mainland businesses, offering limited liability and up to 100% foreign ownership on most activities.
Sole Establishment
The simplest legal form, owned and operated by a single individual — suited to freelancers and independent professionals.
Civil Company
For professional partners such as doctors, engineers or consultants operating together in a regulated field.
Branch Office
A branch of a foreign, local, GCC or free zone company, operating as an extension of the parent entity.
Holding Company
Owns shares and assets in other companies — a useful structure for group entities and asset consolidation.
Free Zone Entity (FZE / FZ-LLC)
For businesses that prefer to operate inside one of Abu Dhabi's free zones such as ADGM, KEZAD, Masdar City or twofour54.
Company Setup in Abu Dhabi: Step-by-Step Process
With clean documents, mainland company setup in Abu Dhabi can take as little as one to three weeks — and eligible activities can get an Instant Licence even faster.
- 1
Choose your business activity
This fixes your licence type, fees and any approvals required.
- 2
Pick your legal structure
LLC, sole establishment, branch or free zone entity — based on your ownership and liability needs.
- 3
Reserve a trade name
Your name must follow UAE naming rules and must not clash with an existing registered name.
- 4
Get initial approval
Applied for through the TAMM platform. Some activities also need sector approvals — health, tourism, food and education, for example.
- 5
Sign the Memorandum of Association
Needed for LLCs and partnerships — it sets out shares and responsibilities among shareholders.
- 6
Sort your premises
Lease an office, take a flexi-desk, or skip it entirely with a Tajer licence where your activity is eligible.
- 7
Pay and collect your licence
ADRA issues the licence. You can then apply for visas and open a corporate bank account.
Documents You Will Need
For a standard mainland company, keep these ready. Branches and regulated activities need a few extras, such as parent-company documents or an NOC — Evolva confirms the exact list on the first call.
Standard Mainland Requirements
- Passport copies of all shareholders and managers
- Emirates ID and visa copies, for UAE residents
- Passport-size photos
- Three proposed trade names
- Brief description of your business activity
- Memorandum of Association — drafted for you
- Tenancy contract (Tawtheeq) if your activity needs premises
Business Setup Cost in Abu Dhabi
Costs depend on your activity, structure, visas and office. As a realistic guide:
| Item | Indicative Range (AED) |
|---|---|
| Trade name and initial approval | 600 – 2,500 |
| Mainland licence (first year) | 8,000 – 25,000 |
| Free zone package (first year) | from ~9,000 |
| Residence visa (per person) | 3,000 – 7,000 |
| Office / flexi-desk (per year) | 0 (Tajer) – 30,000+ |
Fees change, and the right structure changes the total more than any single fee. Evolva provides a fixed, written quote based on your activity and headcount — no surprises at renewal.
After the Licence: What Comes Next
The licence is the start, not the finish. Most new owners need four more things, all handled by Evolva as one team.
Residence Visas
For you, your family and your staff — including Golden Visa options for qualifying investors.
Bank Account
We prepare the compliance file banks actually want to see, and introduce you to the right banking partner.
Tax Registration
Corporate tax registration is mandatory; VAT applies past AED 375,000 turnover. We handle both registrations.
Accounting
Required for corporate tax filing — Evolva provides ongoing bookkeeping and accounting support.
Why Choose Evolva as Your Business Setup Consultants in Abu Dhabi?
Plenty of firms will register a company for you. Here is what we do differently.
End to End
Licence, visas, bank account, accounting, tax and legal — one team, one point of contact.
Structure First
We compare mainland, free zone and offshore against your actual plans before you pay for anything.
Fixed Quotes
Government fees shown separately. No hidden charges at renewal.
Ongoing PRO Support
Renewals, amendments and approvals handled after setup, not just during it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to start your Abu Dhabi Mainland setup?
Speak to an Evolva consultant for a tailored quote and a clear timeline.
خدمات ذات صلة
Dubai Mainland
Trade anywhere in the UAE and bid for government contracts with a Dubai mainland licence issued by DED.
Sharjah Mainland
Set up a Sharjah mainland company with lower overheads than Dubai and full access to the UAE market.
Ajman Mainland
Register an Ajman mainland company — among the most affordable routes to a fully tradable UAE licence.
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