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Abu Dhabi Mainland Business Setup
What is a Mainland Company?
A mainland company (onshore company) is registered with ADDED and can operate anywhere in the UAE. Unlike free zones, mainland companies trade directly in the local market, bid for government contracts, and have no territorial restrictions.
- Regulated by Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED)
- Trade Zone 100% UAE local market access
- Ownership 100% foreign ownership for most activities
- Setup Time License issued in 2-3 business days
100% Foreign Ownership
Full ownership of your mainland company with no local sponsor required under the updated UAE Commercial Companies Law.
0% Corporate Tax
Qualifying mainland businesses enjoy 0% corporate tax. Full access to UAE's extensive double taxation treaty network.
Unrestricted Trading
Mainland companies can trade freely within the UAE market and internationally with no territorial restrictions.
Unlimited Visas
Mainland licenses offer flexible visa quotas. Sponsor employees, dependents, and yourself with government-approved ratios.
Government Contracts
Only mainland companies can bid for government and semi-government contracts in Abu Dhabi and across the UAE.
No Annual Renewal of Scope
Unlike free zones, mainland licenses have no restrictions on trading within the local UAE market.
Jurisdictions for Business Setup in UAE
When planning a UAE business setup, you can choose between three main jurisdictions. Each offers unique benefits depending on your business goals and operational requirements.
Mainland Company
- Trade freely across the entire UAE market
- Bid for government and semi-government contracts
- Operate under Department of Economic Development (DED)
- Sponsor employees with ease
- 100% foreign ownership for most activities
Free Zone Company
- Full foreign ownership with no local partner
- 0% corporate and personal tax with exemptions
- 100% profit repatriation to home country
- Over 45 free zones across the UAE
- Ideal for tech, media, logistics, and service industries
Offshore Company
- Conduct business operations outside the UAE
- Full ownership and tax benefits
- Ideal for international holding and trading companies
- Asset protection and confidentiality
- No physical office requirement in the UAE
Mainland License Types in Abu Dhabi
Choose from four mainland license types based on your business structure, budget, and operational needs.
Sole Establishment (LLC)
Perfect for individual entrepreneurs who want full control of their mainland business. One shareholder, 100% ownership, and the ability to trade across the UAE.
- 100% foreign ownership
- Trade across UAE & internationally
- Sponsor yourself & employees
- All business activities available
Abu Dhabi Trader License
A special ADDED initiative for small traders. No physical office required, includes 3 labor quotas, and valid for 3 years.
- 3-year validity
- No lease required
- 3 free labor quotas
- Low startup cost
Freelance License
Designed for individual professionals like consultants, designers, and content creators. Low cost, no office required, and quick setup process.
- No office needed
- Low entry cost
- Quick 2-3 day setup
- Perfect for service providers
Branch of Local Company
Already have a mainland or free zone company? Open a branch in Abu Dhabi to expand your footprint. Activities must match the parent company.
- Extend your brand
- Quick registration
- No new legal entity
- Shared resources with HQ
Mainland License Cost Breakdown
Select a license type to view the complete fee breakdown. All government fees, PRO charges, and visa costs included.
| Service / Procedure | Fee (AED) | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade Name | AED 170 | Mandatory | Trade name reservation fees |
| Memorandum of Association | AED 450 | Mandatory | Legal contract notarization fees |
| Lease Agreement (Ejari) | To be confirmed | Mandatory | Provided by Client (varies by location) |
| Ultimate Beneficial Owner | AED 150 | Mandatory | UBO data registration |
| License Issuance | AED 7,018 | Active | Government issuance & licensing fees (6,868 + 150) |
| Establishment Card Linking | Free of Charge | Procedural | Owner visits Immigration to finalize |
| E-Channel (Immigration) | AED 3,400 | Mandatory | Smart Channel system (annual fee) |
| Investor Entry Permit | AED 460 | Procedural | Initial entry visa for the investor |
| Change of Status | AED 710 | Procedural | Visa status adjustment within UAE |
| Medical Test | AED 250 | Mandatory | Preventive Medicine Center fees |
| Emirates ID & Residency | AED 900 | Active | ID card issuance & visa stamping fees |
| Health Insurance | To be confirmed | Mandatory | Price depends on age (visit insurance office) |
| Labor Update | AED 523 | Procedural | Ministry of Human Resources file update |
| Corporate Tax Registration | AED 400 | Crucial | Federal Tax Authority registration fees |
Mainland Company Formation Process
Six simple steps from consultation to license issuance and visa processing.
Free Consultation
Speak with our business setup experts. We assess your business needs, recommend the ideal license type, and provide a transparent cost breakdown.
Document Collection
Our team prepares a checklist and helps you gather all required documents. We handle attestations and translations.
Trade Name & Approvals
We reserve your trade name with ADDED, obtain security approvals, and prepare the Memorandum of Association.
License Issuance
Your mainland license is issued by ADDED. We handle all government fee payments and paperwork.
Visa Processing
We manage your investor visa, medical tests, Emirates ID, and residency stamping from start to finish.
Post-Setup Support
Corporate tax registration, bank account opening assistance, PRO services, and ongoing compliance support.
Business Activities Available for Mainland License
Abu Dhabi mainland supports over 2,000 business activities across commercial, professional, industrial, and tourism sectors.
And many more. Contact us to check if your specific activity is available.
Required Documents for Mainland Company Formation
Prepare these documents to ensure a smooth and fast mainland company registration process in Abu Dhabi.
- Valid passport copy of all shareholders
- Emirates ID copy (if UAE resident)
- Passport-size photographs (white background)
- Proposed trade name (3 options recommended)
- Business activity description
- Tenancy contract / Ejari (if applicable)
- No Objection Letter (if required by activity)
Our PRO Team Handles Everything
From document preparation to government submissions, our experienced PRO team manages the entire mainland company formation process with ADDED, MOHRE, ICP, and other authorities.
Mainland vs Free Zone: Which is Right for You?
Compare the key differences between setting up in Abu Dhabi Mainland vs a Free Zone.
| Feature | Abu Dhabi Mainland | Abu Dhabi Free Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Local Market Access | ✓ Trade anywhere in UAE | ✗ Restricted to zone / export only |
| Foreign Ownership | ✓ 100% allowed | ✓ 100% allowed |
| Physical Office | Required (most licenses) | Required (flexi-desk options) |
| Government Contracts | ✓ Eligible to bid | ✗ Not eligible |
| Visa Quota | Flexible (based on office) | Limited quota |
| VAT Registration | Threshold AED 375,000 | Threshold AED 375,000 |
| Corporate Tax | 0% for qualifying income | 0% for qualifying income |
| Setup Speed | 2-3 business days | 3-5 business days |
| Business Activities | 2,000+ activities | Limited to zone-permitted activities |
| Best For | Local trading, govt contracts, retail | Export, consulting, holding companies |
Mainland Business Setup — Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about setting up a mainland company in Abu Dhabi.
A mainland company (also called an onshore company) is registered with ADDED (Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development) and can operate anywhere in the UAE. Unlike free zone companies, mainland companies can trade directly in the local market, bid for government contracts, and have no territorial restrictions.
Yes. Since the amendment of the UAE Commercial Companies Law in 2021, foreign investors can own 100% of a mainland company in Abu Dhabi without the need for a local partner or service agent for most business activities.
The cost varies by license type. A Sole Establishment starts from approximately AED 13,431, the Abu Dhabi Trader License from AED 13,958 (3-year validity), Freelance License from AED 7,485, and a Branch License from AED 6,667. Use our cost calculator for a detailed breakdown.
Most mainland licenses in Abu Dhabi are issued within 2-3 business days after document submission. Visa processing takes an additional 1-2 weeks. Express options are available for urgent setups.
For Sole Establishment and Branch licenses, yes — a physical office with a tenancy contract (Ejari) is required. However, the Abu Dhabi Trader License and Freelance License do not require a physical office, making them ideal for startups.
Mainland companies can trade freely anywhere in the UAE and bid for government contracts. Free zone companies are restricted to operating within their free zone or internationally unless they use a local distributor. Mainland also offers more flexible visa quotas.
Yes. You can convert or open a branch of your free zone company in mainland Abu Dhabi. The process involves ADDED approval, and our team can guide you through the conversion.
Typically: passport copies of shareholders, Emirates ID (if resident), passport-size photos, proposed trade name, business activity description, and tenancy contract. Additional documents may be required based on the business activity.
Ready to Set Up Your Mainland Company in Abu Dhabi?
Get your free consultation with our mainland business setup experts. We'll guide you through every step — from license selection to visa processing.
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