Abu Dhabi Mainland Company Formation
Set up your Abu Dhabi mainland company with 100% foreign ownership, direct market access and complete business support.
Get StartedBuild Where Opportunity Is
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the UAE and the wealthiest emirate, home to the federal government, sovereign wealth funds, ADNOC, and major projects in energy, infrastructure, healthcare, defence, tourism and technology.
A mainland licence issued by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) lets you trade across the UAE and work directly with government and large corporates.
Abu Dhabi has made company formation fast and affordable through the TAMM platform, with 100% foreign ownership for most activities and some of the lowest licence fees in the country.
TFZ manages the full process, including approvals, office, visas and bank account.
Why Choose Abu Dhabi Mainland?
100% Foreign Ownership
100% foreign ownership for most commercial, industrial and professional activities.
Low Licence Fees
Very low licence fees; many activities pay a flat licence fee of around AED 1,000 under the Abu Dhabi fee reduction programme.
Government Access
Direct access to government, ADNOC, Mubadala and large project tenders.
UAE-Wide Trading
Unrestricted trading across all emirates and internationally.
Strong Industries
Strong demand in oil and gas services, construction, engineering, healthcare, education, defence, tourism and technology.
Digital Formation
TAMM digital platform allows most steps to be completed online.
Types of Abu Dhabi Mainland Licences
| Licence Type | Activities Covered | Common Legal Form |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Licence | Trading, general trading, contracting, e-commerce | LLC |
| Professional Licence | Consultancy, IT, engineering, marketing, management | Sole Establishment, LLC |
| Industrial Licence | Manufacturing and processing (with IDB approval) | LLC |
| Tourism Licence | Travel, hospitality, tour operations | LLC |
| Tajer Abu Dhabi | Home-based and small businesses without an office | Sole Establishment, LLC |
| Agricultural Licence | Farming, livestock, fisheries | LLC |
Step-by-Step Abu Dhabi Mainland Setup
TFZ coordinates each stage from activity selection to licensing, visas and banking.
Select Activities
Select activities and legal form with TFZ.
Reserve Name
Reserve the trade name and obtain initial approval through TAMM.
MOA
Draft and notarise the Memorandum of Association.
Office
Secure office space and register the Tawtheeq tenancy contract.
Approvals
Obtain external approvals where required.
Licence
Pay fees and receive the ADDED commercial licence.
Chamber
Register with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce.
Establishment Card
Obtain the Establishment Card and open the MOHRE labour file.
Visas
Process investor and employee visas.
Tax & Banking
Register for corporate tax and VAT, then open a bank account.
Documents Required
Preparing the right documents in advance helps keep the incorporation process efficient and avoids unnecessary delays.
Abu Dhabi Mainland Formation Timeline
| Stage | Approximate Time |
|---|---|
| Trade name and initial approval | 1 to 3 working days |
| MOA notarisation | 1 to 2 working days |
| Office lease and Tawtheeq | 3 to 5 working days |
| External approvals (if required) | 1 to 4 weeks |
| Licence issuance | 1 to 3 working days |
| Establishment card and labour file | 3 to 5 working days |
| Investor visa and Emirates ID | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Bank account opening | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Total (typical) | 2 to 3 weeks for licence; 5 to 8 weeks fully operational |
Cost of Abu Dhabi Mainland Company Formation
Indicative costs in UAE Dirhams (AED).
| Cost Item | Indicative Amount (AED) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Trade name reservation and initial approval | 700 to 1,500 | One-time |
| MOA notarisation | 1,000 to 2,000 | One-time |
| ADDED licence fee (most activities) | 1,000 to 6,000 | Annual |
| Abu Dhabi Chamber membership | 500 to 1,000 | Annual |
| External approvals | 500 to 10,000 (activity dependent) | As required |
| Office rent (flexi-desk / small office) | 12,000 to 40,000+ | Annual |
| Establishment card | 600 to 1,500 | Every 1 to 2 years |
| Investor visa, medical, Emirates ID | 4,000 to 6,000 | Every 2 years |
| Employee visa (per person) | 5,000 to 7,500 | Every 2 years |
| TFZ professional fees | Quoted on request | One-time |
| Typical all-in first-year package | 18,000 to 35,000 | First year |
Compliance Requirements
| Compliance Area | What It Means | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Licence renewal | Renew with ADDED via TAMM with valid Tawtheeq and Chamber membership | Annual |
| Corporate tax | 9% on taxable profit above AED 375,000; FTA registration and return | Annual, within 9 months of year end |
| VAT | 5%; register once taxable supplies exceed AED 375,000 | Quarterly returns |
| Accounting and audit | Maintain books; audited accounts for corporate tax and licence renewal in many cases | Annual |
| Economic Substance Regulations | Notification and report for relevant activities | Annual |
| UBO declaration | Declare beneficial owners with ADDED | On registration and on change |
| Wage Protection System | Salaries paid through WPS | Monthly |
| Emiratisation | Targets apply to companies with 50+ employees and selected sectors | Annual |
| Health insurance | Mandatory Daman or approved insurance for all employees and dependents | Ongoing |
| In-Country Value (ICV) | ICV certification needed to bid for ADNOC and government tenders | Annual (optional but strategic) |
| Visa renewals | Investor and employee visa renewals | Every 2 years |
How TFZ Helps
From initial activity selection to ongoing compliance, TFZ manages the complete company formation journey.
Activity Selection
Activity selection and eligibility for 100% ownership.
TAMM Registration
TAMM registration, MOA and all ADDED approvals.
Office Solutions
Office solutions with Tawtheeq registration.
External Approvals
External approvals with Abu Dhabi regulators.
Visas & Banking
Visa processing, bank account introductions and ICV certification support.
Ongoing Compliance
Ongoing accounting, VAT, corporate tax and renewal services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Talk to TFZ Today
Abu Dhabi rewards businesses that are set up correctly and ready for large contracts. TFZ | UAE Business Structuring and Corporate Advisory guides you from licence to first tender.
Contact TFZ today for a free consultation on Abu Dhabi mainland company formation.