From a desert oasis, Abu Dhabi has become a global business hub.

Today, Abu Dhabi is the perfect gateway to markets across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. With 33% of the world just a 4-hour flight away and 80% of the world reachable with an 8-hour flight, the emirate offers world-class infrastructure and connectivity across four time zones.

To innovate, you need access to the best human capital. Abu Dhabi has a vibrant talent pool focusing on science, technology, engineering, mathematics and entrepreneurship. Abu Dhabi is ranked 9th globally and 2nd regionally in the economic performance index of the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook (2020).

In Abu Dhabi, innovation is critical for sustainable success. The Emirate supports big thinkers, innovators and forward-thinking companies. Abu Dhabi has been ranked the smartest city in the Middle East. Through innovation, we will ensure that every investor enjoys access to capital, local talent, best-in-class regulatory environment, support for R&D and advanced infrastructure.
Abu Dhabi provides a lot of convenient business setup options. One can set up in Mainland or Free Zone.
  1. Abu Dhabi Mainland
  2. Abu Dhabi Free Zone

There are 6 key steps to registering a new company in Abu Dhabi

  1. Determine the economic activity
  2. Determine the legal form of business
  3. Trade name registration
  4. Obtaining initial approval
  5. Obtaining approvals of relevant authorities
  6. Issuing a business license

For those entrepreneurs that go down the route of 100% foreign ownership, there are six types of companies you can register in Abu Dhabi:

  • Branch of a Foreign Company
  • Branch of a GCC Company
  • Branch of a Freezone Company
  • Representative Office
  • Civil Works Company
  • Foreign GCC Branch (one GCC national shareholder/one foreign shareholder)

There are four other company types that can be registered in Abu Dhabi, aside from the wholly foreign-owned options:

  • A Limited Liability Company
  • Sole Proprietorship L.L.C
  • Sole Establishment
  • Local Branch

We have three types of packages for setting up a business in Abu Dhabi

Particulars Package 1 Package 2 Package 3
  • Abu Dhabi DED Trade name Reservation & Initial Approval
  • Notary drafting, Signing & Submission
  • Estimated Final Payment VoucherTrade License
  • Issuance of Trade license
  • Immigration Card
  • Tawtheeq – Virtual Office
  • 2 Visa Quota *
  • Local Service Agent Fees / Corporate Sponsorship
  • Creative Zone PRO fees
  • 29,999
  • 3 months Tawtheeq Office
  • 32,999
  • 6 months Tawtheeq Office
  • 39,999
  • 12 months Tawtheeq Office

The following cost applies for residency visas

Services

Fees (AED)

E-Channel Registration

2,200 first year (deposit 2,500 refundable)

Renewal = 1,200

Labor File

533

Employment VISA – Valid for 2 Years 

(Including medical examination, Emirates ID and change of status)

5,500

Investor VISA – Valid for 3 Years 

(Including medical examination, Emirates ID and change of status)

4,500

Timeline (all packages)

14 Working Days

Trade name reservation & initial approval

3

MOA Drafting 

2

Submission of MOA for notary review

2

Reserve notary appointment

3