Business setup Abu Dhabi
How to Begin Your Business Setup In Abu Dhabi
Key Benefits of Business In Abu Dhabi
Business Activities for business setup companies in abu dhabi
Types of legal forms in Abu Dhabi Mainland
Establishment
Limited Liability Company
Sole Proprietorship Company L.L.C
Sole Proprietorship Company PJSC
Private Joint Stock Company
Public Joint Stock Company
Partnership Company
Limited Partnership Company
Essential Documents for setting up a business in Abu dhabi
- A unique company name is required as per the company government guidelines.
- The proposed company name should be checked for availability and approved by the relevant authorities.
- 3.1 Business Plan: A business plan is not mandatory for some business activities, but it is required for certain activities, such as Ministry of Health and KHDA “Dubai Health Authority” to set up any pharmacy, institute, or other related activities.
- 3.2 Goods Standard Certificate, Resume, Personal Profile, and Education Certificate:
These documents may be required for certain business activities.
- Military trade (Good Standing Certificate and Education Certificate)
- Education institute setup (Resume and Education Certificate)
- Chemical activity (Goods Standard Certificate and Personal Profile)
- Sports academy setup (Resume and Personal Profile)
- Military trade (Good Standing Certificate and Education Certificate)
Cost of Business Setup In Abu Dhabi
Our Business setup in Abu Dhabi Services include:
Leverage our PRO services for swift government liaison and visa processing, covering DED approvals, immigration clearances, labor certificates, and corporate bank account setup, accelerating business setup in Abu Dhabi and LLC company formation in Abu Dhabi seamlessly.
Secure Abu Dhabi trade license with confidence. From trade name reservation at the Abu Dhabi Business Center to DED submission and final issuance, our team simplifies every step of setting up a business, whether in the mainland or free zone.
Benefit from our end-to-end trade licence issuance service across ADGM, KEZAD, and mainland Abu Dhabi. We manage initial approvals, documentation, renewals, and fee payments ensuring compliant and timely business setup in Abu Dhabi.
Navigate UAE corporate law with ease. We draft and notarize MOA, AOA, shareholder agreements, and regulatory contracts, ensuring your LLC company formation in Abu Dhabi meets all legal requirements and safeguards your business interests.
Register for UAE corporate tax (effective for financial years from June 2023) smoothly. We’ll prepare your Federal Tax Authority (FTA) registration, secure your Tax Registration Number, and guide you through ongoing corporate tax filings. Even with 0 % tax in many zones, compliance is key—let us ensure your business in Abu Dhabi meets all FTA requirements.
Get fully compliant VAT registration in Abu Dhabi under the 5 % UAE VAT regime. We assess your setting up a business turnover, prepare your VAT application, and obtain your FTA certificate. Whether you’re in ADGM, KEZAD, or the mainland, our experts manage threshold calculations, group registrations, and periodic returns.
After your business setup in Abu Dhabi, maintain full financial compliance with our accounting and bookkeeping services. We manage VAT registration and returns, corporate tax filings, audit-ready financial statements, and bank reconciliations. Working alongside leading business setup companies in Abu Dhabi, we keep accurate ledgers and FTA-compliant records for your LLC company formation in Abu Dhabi, empowering data-driven decisions and sustainable growth across mainland, ADGM, and KEZAD.
Frequently Asked Questions about Business setup In Abu Dhabi
Select your activity (commercial, professional or industrial) and legal form—e.g., LLC company formation in Abu Dhabi.
Reserve your trade name with Abu Dhabi DED or a Free Zone authority (ADGM, KEZAD Group, Masdar City, Twofour54).
Obtain your Abu Dhabi trade license and complete trade license issuance steps.
Secure office space: mainland requires a physical or residential address; free zones offer flex-desk or warehouse solutions.
Open a corporate bank account under UAE KYC/AML rules.
Apply for visas (shareholders, employees).
Register for VAT (5 %) and/or corporate tax with the FTA if turnover thresholds apply.
Typical business setup costs range from AED 6,000 to AED 25,000, influenced by:
License type (commercial vs. professional vs. industrial vs. Freezone)
Office space (Abu Dhabi Business Center vs. ADGM vs. Masdar City vs. KEZAD)
Number of visas and employee quotas
Government fees (DED vs. Freezone authorities)
Optional share capital for sectors like tourism or real estate.
Commercial License: trading, import/export, distribution
Professional License: consultancy, service-based activities
Industrial License: manufacturing, assembly, oil & gas maintenance
Free Zone License: ADGM, KEZAD Group, Masdar City Free Zone, Twofour54 Media Zone, Khalifa Industrial Zone (KIZAD)
Each comes with specific visa quotas, office requirements, and 0 % corporate tax benefits (plus 5 % VAT).
| Feature | Mainland | Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Up to 100 % foreign (selected sectors) or 51 % local sponsor | 100 % foreign ownership |
| Office | Physical office or residential address | Flex desks, warehouses, or private offices |
| Market Access | Full UAE domestic market | Free-zone exports only |
| Visa Quota | Based on office area | Zone-specific packages |
| Authority | Department of Economic Development (DED) | ADGM, KEZAD Group, ZonesCorp, Masdar City |
| Tax Benefits | 0 % corporate tax (5 % VAT) | 0 % corporate tax (5 % VAT) |
Free Zone entities: No local sponsor required.
Mainland LLCs: Traditionally 51 % local sponsor (UAE national) acting as silent partner via side agreement.
Reforms now allow 100 % foreign ownership in many commercial activities without a sponsor.
Free Zone license: 3–5 business days (trade name, initial approvals, license issuance).
Mainland LLC formation: 7–14 days (DED approvals, office lease, license).
Bank account & visas: +7–10 days.
Plan 2–4 weeks for a fully operational business in Abu Dhabi.
Mainland: ~2–3 visas per 200 sq ft of office space.
Free Zones: Varies by zone—e.g., ADGM unlimited with private office; KEZAD quotas by package.
Passport copies of shareholders & managers
Proof of address (utility bill)
6 months’ bank statements
No Objection Certificate (if on UAE residence visa)
MOA/AOA for LLC formation
Completed DED or Free Zone application and KYC form
