Abu Dhabi
Mainland Company Formation
Abu Dhabi Mainland offers unmatched flexibility, allowing businesses to access the entire UAE market, bid on government contracts, and scale operations without restrictions imposed by zone boundaries. All formations are handled through ADDED (Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development) and the centralised ADRA registry, streamlining the process for investors.
Why Choose Abu Dhabi Mainland?
Setting up a mainland company in Dubai or anywhere across the UAE opens the door to both local and international markets without limitation. Here's what that really means for your business:
Nationwide Business Access
Operate across the UAE, unlike free zones, which are geographically limited.
Low Setup Costs & Zero Capital Requirement
ADDED imposes no mandatory minimum capital for most activities.
Innovative Licensing Options
Tajer Abu Dhabi: Operate without leasing physical office space for your first 3 years
Dual Licence: Free zone companies can operate on the mainland.
Centralised Registration via ADRA
New business registration is streamlined under the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority.
Legal Structures Available
Common legal forms include
-
Limited Liability
Company (LLC) -
Civil Company /
Professional
-
Branches (for foreign
or UAE-based entities) -
Partnerships, Sole Establishment, Public/Private Shareholding Company
Your Trusted Business Setup Partner
Why Wait? Start Your Business in UAE Today! Contact us now for a free consultation.
Step-by-Step Setup Process
- Define activity & legal structure (LLC, branch, etc.)
- Trade name reservation & initial approval via TAMM/ADRA platforms
- Draft MoA / LSA (as applicable)
- Select physical office or opt for Tajer license to waive office requirement early.
- Submit documents to ADDED / ADRA
- Issue licence (valid 1-2 years)
- Process visas (investor, employee), register with MOHRE/GDRFA
- Open corporate bank account (we prepare the compliance-ready documentation)
- On-going compliance: VAT, Corporate Tax, UBO, Economic Substance Regulations, and more
Licence Types for Abu Dhabi Mainland
Commercial
(Trading)
Professional
/ Service
Industrial /
Manufacturing
Tourism and Agricultural licences also available
Tax & Compliance on the Mainland
- Corporate Tax (CT): 0% for income up to AED 375,000; 9% for excess. 15% Domestic Minimum Top-up Tax (DMTT) applies to large multinationals under OECD Pillar Two.
- Value-Added Tax (VAT): Standard 5% rate; registration required above threshold.
- Economic Substance Regulations apply if you conduct relevant activities.
- UBO & AML: Maintain UBO register and AML compliance under UAE requirements.
Visas & Immigration Support
We handle:
- Investor/residency visas
- Employee visas aligned with office size and activity
- Family sponsorships, if applicable
Banking Setup
Banks will require full compliance documentation, including MOA, lease (unless on Tajer), business rationale, and clearance of any ADDED or ADRA flags. We prepare banking-ready dossiers to streamline account openings.
FAQ'S
Yes. Foreign investors can now hold full ownership in most sectors.
It allows operation without a physical office for the first three years — ideal for early-stage businesses.
Typically 5-7 working days, depending on approvals and document readiness.
No. Abu Dhabi Mainland generally requires zero capital for most activities.
Yes, certain free zone companies can get a Dual Licence to operate on the mainland.
The Abu Dhabi Registration Authority - a new centralized body to streamline business registration.
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