Company Setup with ADDED (Abu Dhabi Mainland) in Abu Dhabi

Set up an Abu Dhabi mainland company, from AED 25,000, handled end to end

A licence from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) gives you a full mainland company. This means the right to trade anywhere in the UAE, sell directly to local customers and government, and sponsor residence visas. Setups we have done start from AED 25,000 all-in. Because ADDED prices each licence on your activity, structure and premises, your exact figure comes from a quick conversation, not a fixed grid.

We handle the whole process on the Tamm platform: trade name, initial approvals, MOA, Ejari tenancy, establishment card and visas through to Emirates ID. You deal with one team from start to trading.

Your exact price depends on your business activity, company structure and how many visas you need. We confirm it in one free call, with no obligation.

What ADDED licenses

ADDED is the economic authority for the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It issues commercial, professional, industrial and tourism licences for mainland companies, covering trading, consultancy, tech, hospitality and most service activities. A mainland licence is what you want if your customers are inside the UAE, if you need to hire staff here, or if a bank or client will check that you hold a proper local company.

For most activities a foreigner can own 100% of a mainland company. The 2021 amendment to Federal Commercial Companies Law No. 2 of 2015 removed the 51% local sponsor requirement across the majority of categories. A short list of strategic sectors, including oil and gas, defence, banking and insurance, still requires UAE national majority ownership. We confirm exactly where your activity falls before you commit.

What it costs, and what the figure depends on

Mainland formation is government fees plus professional service fees, and we give you a clear breakdown of both before you engage. The from AED 25,000 starting point moves with three things: your activity (some need extra approvals), your company structure, and your visa count. Office space also drives your visa quota, since mainland requires a real Ejari-registered tenancy.

Get the precise number for your setup in one call.

[Get my exact price, one free call →](/services/mainland-company-setup)

How long it takes and what you will need

Mainland incorporations typically complete in 3 to 7 working days once documents are submitted. Timelines depend on ADDED's own processing schedule and your activity, which we confirm realistically at the start.

You will generally need:

• Passport copies for all shareholders and managers
• Proposed trade name and business activity
• Ejari-registered tenancy for your office
• Initial approvals and MOA (we prepare and notarise these)

We make the whole thing simple

We have started 1,400+ companies over 19+ years, so the paperwork, approvals and sequencing are routine to us. When it is time for a corporate account, that experience matters. We have named contacts at 10+ UAE banks and have opened 1,000+ accounts, so we know exactly what each compliance team will ask before you apply. See bank account opening for details. Approval always rests with the bank, but a properly prepared file is what makes it straightforward.

If a free zone might suit your model better (leaner setup, international clients), we will tell you in the call and walk you through free zone options too. Either way, you get the right structure the first time.

Get your exact price and the fastest route to trading, with one free call and no obligation. Book your call →