MCP

Abu Dhabi · Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) · all zones

Abu Dhabi mainland

Mainland licence enabling unrestricted business across the UAE, direct access to the local market, government contracts, and industrial operations. No minimum capital requirement for most activities, low setup costs.

remote setup reseller prices only tier 2 LLC
Compare package prices added.gov.ae
Licence-only total
total not yet confirmed
the one total model is not live, so each proven price is shown on its own
One-visa total
total not yet confirmed
the one total model is not live, so each proven price is shown on its own
Minimum share capital
not yet confirmed
No
Typical days to licence
not yet confirmed
unproven or unpublished

Packages, as published

Official rows come from the authority's own list. A row marked agent comes from a reseller because the authority does not publish that package, and it can contain a margin.

PackageLicenceVisasWorkspaceSetupRenewalKindSource
Professional License (0 visa)from professional n/a none not yet confirmed not yet confirmed agent breeobusiness.com
1 Visa Packagefrom not stated n/a flexi desk not yet confirmed not yet confirmed agent goldenkeybcs.com
3 Visa Packagefrom not stated n/a flexi desk not yet confirmed not yet confirmed agent goldenkeybcs.com
Business License (Virtual Office) 0 Visafrom not stated n/a virtual not yet confirmed not yet confirmed agent ezonedubai.ae
Professional Licensefrom professional n/a not stated not yet confirmed not yet confirmed agent aurabusinessservices.com
Commercial Licensefrom commercial n/a not stated not yet confirmed not yet confirmed agent aurabusinessservices.com
Mainland Company (starting)from not stated n/a not stated not yet confirmed not yet confirmed agent e.zone

Fees, line by line

The figures our sum is built from. Only a proven fee is shown; the rest read not yet confirmed, and a reseller-only figure says so on its line.

Registrationnot yet confirmedinvest-gulf.com
Licencenot yet confirmedinvest-gulf.com
Establishment cardnot yet confirmedinvest-gulf.com
Immigration cardnot yet confirmedinvest-gulf.com
Residence visa, per personnot yet confirmedinvest-gulf.com
Medical and Emirates ID, per personnot yet confirmedinvest-gulf.com
Minimum share capitalnot yet confirmednot paid upinvest-gulf.com
Trade name reservationnot yet confirmednoblecoreventures.com
Initial approvalnot yet confirmednoblecoreventures.com
Chamber of Commerce membershipnot yet confirmednoblecoreventures.com
MOA notarizationnot yet confirmednoblecoreventures.com
Business registration certificatenot yet confirmednoblecoreventures.com
Office inspection (ADDED)not yet confirmednoblecoreventures.com
Ejari registration (flexi-desk example)not yet confirmednoblecoreventures.com
Tawtheeq registrationnot yet confirmedinvest-gulf.com
Workspace
Flexi-desk (co-working)not yet confirmedElectra or Al Maryah Island · counts for the visa quota · source
Reseller prices seen against the official line
ezonedubai.aenot quotedBusiness License (Virtual Office) 0 Visasource
What a missing number means

The line stays visible and reads not yet confirmed. A figure the research records but the verification pass has not proven is never shown, and never becomes a zero.

Company and licence types

Company types
  • Limited Liability Company
    1-50 shareholders; foreign ownership up to 100% for most activities
  • Sole Proprietorship
    Single owner; can be foreign for professional activities
  • Establishment
    Single owner
Licence types
  • Abu Dhabi Trader Licence
    Business activities within Abu Dhabi emirate
  • Dual Licence
    Allows free zone companies to conduct business on the mainland
  • Freelancer Licence
    Professional services as a freelancer
  • Mobdea Licence
    Innovation and technology-based activities
  • Small Producers Licence
    Small-scale production and manufacturing
  • Standard Licence
    All commercial, industrial, professional activities
  • Virtual Licence
    Non-resident foreign investors; business conducted remotely

How the authority processes it

Each step names who holds it. Days are the authority's published figure or a gap.

  • step 1 · days gap
    Identify business activity and legal formInvestor
  • step 2 · days gap
    Register trade nameInvestor or agent
  • step 3 · days gap
    Apply for initial approvalInvestor or agent
  • step 4 · days gap
    Draft and notarise Memorandum of AssociationInvestor, notary
  • step 5 · days gap
    Secure business premises and tenancy contractInvestor
  • step 6 · days gap
    Obtain additional government approvals if requiredInvestor or agent
  • step 7 · days gap
    Submit documents and pay feesInvestor or agent
  • step 8 · days gap
    Receive trade licenceADDED
The authority's portal
NameAbu Dhabi Business Centre (ADBC) / TAMMhttps://www.adbc.gov.ae
Who filespublic
Fully onlineYes
E-signatureUAE Pass
API or integrationnot stated
Partner programmenot stated
Selling to the UAE mainland

Yes, unrestricted trading across the UAE mainland.

Corporate tax

9% corporate tax on taxable income above amount not yet confirmed; 0% on income below that. Must register with FTA and file annual returns.

Documents the authority asks for

Individual shareholder
  • Trade name certificate
  • Copy of valid passport
  • Copy of Emirates ID (if resident)
  • Initial approval receipt
  • Memorandum of Association (attested)
  • Tenancy contract (attested by municipality, if required)
  • Approvals from other government entities (if applicable)
  • Service agent contract (if 100% non-GCC owned civil establishment)
Corporate shareholder
  • not researched

After the licence

Financial year, audit, corporate tax, VAT, UBO and renewal, as the authority states them.

Financial year
RuleDetermined in the company's statute; first fiscal year must be between 6 and 18 months from the date of entry in the Commercial Register.source
First period, maximum monthsnot yet confirmedsource
Can choose the year endYessource
Audit and financial statements
Audited accounts requiredYessource
Who mustAll mainland companiessource
Submission deadline4 months after financial year-end4 months after financial year-endsource
Approved auditor listYessource
Fee or penalty (AED)not yet confirmedsource
NotesAuditor must be independent, qualified, and appointed by the general assembly.source
VAT
Mandatory threshold (AED)not yet confirmedsource
Voluntary threshold (AED)not yet confirmedsource
Designated zoneNosource
NotesQuarterly VAT returns if revenue < amount not yet confirmedM, monthly if ≥ amount not yet confirmedM; deadline 28 days after period end.source
Corporate tax
Registration deadlineWithin 3 months of incorporation (for companies set up on or after 1 March 2024)Within 3 months of incorporation (for companies set up on or after 1 March 2024)source
QFZP conditionsNot applicable for mainland companies; only Qualifying Free Zone Persons can benefit from the 0% CT rate under conditions including adequate substance, audited financial statements, and core income-generating activities in a Free Zone.source
Return deadline9 months after end of tax period9 months after end of tax periodsource
Late registration penalty (AED)not yet confirmedsource
UBO, ESR and AML
UBO register requiredYessource
Where the UBO register is filedLicensing authority (ADDED/Abu Dhabi Business Centre)source
ESR statusNot required for financial years ending after 31 December 2022.source
AML / goAML registrationnot yet confirmedsource
Licence renewal
WhenAnnuallyAnnuallysource
RequirementsCurrent filings with licensing authority; No outstanding violationssource
Late penalty (AED)not yet confirmedsource
Banking
Banks commonly usednot yet confirmedsource
Typical account opening daysnot yet confirmedsource
Minimum balance (AED)not yet confirmedsource
Pain pointsnot yet confirmedsource
Accounting records
RequiredYessource
Retention yearsnot yet confirmedsource
StandardInternational standards (IFRS)source
Visas and labour
Requirement 1MOHRE-registered employment contractssource
Requirement 2Wage Protection System (WPS) compliancesource
Requirement 3End-of-service benefits obligationssource
Annual obligations
Trade licence renewalAnnualAnnuallysource
Corporate tax returnAnnualAnnually, within 9 months of financial year endsource
VAT returnAnnualQuarterly (if revenue < amount not yet confirmedM) or monthly (if ≥ amount not yet confirmedM), 28 days after period endsource
Audited financial statementsAnnualAnnually, ready within 4 months of financial year-endsource
UBO register updateAnnualOngoing (as changes occur)source
Accounting records maintenanceAnnualOngoingsource
Closing the company
Processnot yet confirmedsource
Cost (AED)not yet confirmedsource

How we file it

Internal view of the authority's channels and screens. It is what a filing integration has to work against, not a promise that the filing is live. integration source

Application channels
Abu Dhabi Business Centre (ADBC) websitehttps://www.adbc.gov.aewho can use: Investors and businesseslogin: UAE PassCentralised platform for economic licensing services; offers Virtual Licence application. mediaoffice.abudhabisource
TAMM digital platformhttps://abudhabi.tammwho can use: Investorslogin: UAE PassProvides instant licence service and step-by-step guidance. added.gov.ae assets.u.aesource
Agent or partner programme
Existsnot stated
Namenot named
Feesnot yet confirmed
Commission or discountnot stated
How to applynot stated
Contactnot stated
Requirementsnot stated
Screens inside the portal
  • step 1
    Login with UAE PassInvestorinputs: UAE Pass credentials
  • step 2
    Select licence type (e.g., Virtual Licence, Instant Licence, Standard)Investorinputs: Licence type selection
  • step 3
    Choose economic activityInvestorinputs: Activity code/description
  • step 4
    Reserve trade nameInvestorinputs: Proposed trade name (English only for Virtual Licence)
  • step 5
    Enter contact detailsInvestorinputs: Phone, email, address
  • step 6
    Upload shareholder identificationInvestoruploads: Copy of passport (and Emirates ID if applicable)
  • step 7
    Upload additional documents (if required)Investoruploads: Memorandum of Association (attested, if applicable), Lease agreement (attested Tawtheeq, if applicable), Regulatory approvals (activity-dependent)
  • step 8
    Pay feesInvestorinputs: Credit card details
  • step 9
    Receive licenceSystem
Formats, signatures, payment
Document formatsArabic (original or attested translation) assets.u.ae; Digital uploads (PDF/image) for passports, etc.
Signatures and identityUAE Pass digital identity for login and authentication. For applications via representative, a Power of Attorney is required. Memorandum of Association requires notarisation and signatures. assets.u.ae u.ae
PaymentFees payable online by credit card. Trade name reservation: amount not yet confirmed (standard), up to amount not yet confirmed (exceptional) assets.u.ae. Licence fee: amount not yet confirmed for a two-year licence covering up to six activities (agent citing official announcement) businesssetuphq.com. Payment must be made within 30 days of voucher issuance u.ae.
Status trackingOnline status tracking available via TAMM and ADBC portals; enquiry service provided. added.gov.ae investwithabudhabi.com
API or bulk filingnot stated
After the licence, onlineLicence renewal; Licence amendment; Licence cancellation; Trade name amendment; Address amendment; Activity amendment; Licence statement; Fee payment; Activation; Enquiry

Automation risks

  • UAE Pass authentication may require biometric or OTP, blocking automated login.
  • Document attestation and Arabic translation requirements may necessitate manual handling.
  • Lease agreement attestation (Tawtheeq) may require physical presence or notarisation.
  • Notarisation of Memorandum of Association may require in-person visit to notary public.

Open integration gaps

  • No information on agent or partner program for business setup agents.
  • No API or bulk submission capabilities mentioned.
  • Exact official licence fee breakdown not found in provided sources; agent-reported fee used.
  • Specific document format requirements (file types, size limits) not detailed.
  • Automation terms of service not available.

What we still do not know about Abu Dhabi mainland

The research names its own holes. They stay on the page until a source fills them.

Prices

  • No official ADDED fee schedule available; all fees are from agent sources.
  • Establishment card fee not confirmed by multiple sources.
  • Immigration card not mentioned in any source.
  • Renewal costs for many packages not provided.

Structure and process

  • Exact fee amounts not provided
  • Processing times not specified
  • Corporate shareholder document requirements not listed
  • Bank account opening process not detailed
  • Mobdea and Small Producers licence details limited
  • Activity catalogue URL not provided

Compliance

  • Late corporate tax registration penalty not found
  • Voluntary VAT registration threshold not specified
  • Specific licence renewal cost and late penalty not provided
  • Banking details (common banks, account opening timeline, minimum balance, pain points) not available
  • Deregistration process and cost not mentioned
  • AML/goAML registration requirement not explicitly stated for mainland

Sources

Everything above was read from these pages. The read date is on each line.

Start your Business Journey in Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi DEDhttps://added.gov.ae/en/set-up/establish-your-businessread 2026-10-20
Abu Dhabi - AURA Business Services | Best Business Setup Consultantshttps://aurabusinessservices.com/abu-dhabi/read 2026-10-20
Abu Dhabi Mainland Company Setup | Breeo Businesshttps://breeobusiness.com/abu-dhabi-mainland-company-setup/read 2026-10-20
Business Setup in Abu Dhabi: Mainland, Free Zone or ADGM? | EZONEhttps://e.zone/business-setup-abu-dhabi/read 2026-10-20
Pricing Master List | Company Setup - EZONEhttps://ezonedubai.ae/tools/pricing-list/company-setup/read 2026-10-20
Abu Dhabi Mainland Company Formation 2026, Cost from amount not yet confirmedhttps://goldenkeybcs.com/mainland/abu-dhabi/read 2026-10-20
Abu Dhabi Mainland LLC Setup: ADDED Fees & Visas 2026 | Invest Gulfhttps://invest-gulf.com/guides/abu-dhabi-mainland-llc-setup/read 2026-10-20
Abu Dhabi Mainland Setup DED 2026: Real Costs & Timelinehttps://noblecoreventures.com/abu-dhabi-mainland-business-setup-ded-2026-real-costs-timeline/read 2026-10-20
Taxation of Corporations and Businesseshttps://tax.gov.ae/Datafolder/Files/Legislation/Corporate%20Tax/CT%20law%20final/Federal-Decree-Law-No.47-24-10-2025.pdfread 2026-10-20
Abu Dhabi Licensing Requirements | Abu Dhabi DEDhttps://www.added.gov.ae/en/set-up/establish-your-business/licensing-requirementsread 2026-10-20