Steps to start a business on the mainland

Business license in Abu Dhabi: Setting up a business in Abu Dhabi is a wise option as it is one of the most affordable Emirates and safest city for commercial activities. Therefore, you get a two-year Abu Dhabi commercial license at the lesser cost.

What is LLC in Abu Dhabi?

Limited Liability Company (LLC) is the most common form of business in United Arab Emirates. A Limited Liability Company can be formed by a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 50 shareholders whose liability is limited to their shares in the business capital.

LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (LLC): ABU DHABI

The trade licenses on Abu Dhabi Mainland are regulated by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED).

In this article, we will explore in detail, the types of trade licenses in Abu Dhabi, documents required, and the approximate prices as well as process involved in company registration in Abu Dhabi.

In the Abu Dhabi Mainland jurisdiction, three types of license options are available for all new establishments

Industries
Activities
Companies:

Abu Dhabi Mainland – Tajer

This Abu Dhabi Mainland business license can be availed exclusively by the residents of the UAE Basically, entrepreneurs who have a valid residency visa and an Emirates ID are eligible to acquire the Tajer Abu Dhabi license Only individuals can have company ownership.

In simpe word, ‘Tajer Abu Dhabi’ is not applicable for a corporate office or a shareholding company structure Regardless of the nature of business activity, non-UAE nationals can only form a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Therefore, whether your company offers professional services or is engaged in trading activities, the structure has to be that of an LLC.

The license comes with a default quota for three employee visas More than 2500 activities qualify for the ‘Tajer Abu Dhabi’ trade license. Under this license, the businessowners do not require to have an office space for up to first two years.

To apply for the ‘Tajer Abu Dhabi’ license, companies do not require a no-objection certificate (NOC) from their existing visa sponsor This trade license can be processed within two to three working days

Documents required

Copy of passport Copy of residency visa Emirates ID Verified UAE pass account

Instant trade license in Abu Dhabi

Any interested parties, including residents and visitors and avail instant trade license in Abu Dhabi The small business license in Abu Dhabi allows a combination of trading as well as professional and service-oriented business activities More than 2,500 activities qualify for instant trade license in Abu Dhabi without having an office space for the first year of business The license comes with a default visa quota for up to three employees You do not need to obtain an NOC from current visa sponsor to apply for instant business license You can get the instant license in Abu Dhabi in just one working day

Documents required

Copy of passport &
Copy of UAE visa
Emirates ID

Normal business license in Abu Dhabi

In Abu Dhabi, anyone can apply for a normal business license in Abu Dhabi Furthermore, a foreign company can also own shares in this business model For expatriates, the legal structure can either be an LLC or a sole establishment depending on the business activity However, to apply for a general trading license in Abu Dhabi, having an office / renting a commercial space is mandatory There are no restrictions on number of employee visas you can apply for under the normal business license This license is usually processed within five to seven working days

Documents required

Copy of passport Copy of UAE visa

Get started with Business Setup Companies

You need to prepare several documents to the concerned authorities while applying for any kind of company trade license in Abu Dhabi, including commercial license Abu Dhabi and instant license in Abu Dhabi. Connect with Business Setup Company and they will help you acquire your Abu Dhabi business license in a seamless manner. Besides assistance with documentation, we also assist you with an array of niche services required for your company formation. Our advisors will also provide with the break-up of business license costs in Abu Dhabi.

How can I get a trade license in Abu Dhabi?

You can follow the below-mentioned process to obtain a trade license in Abu Dhabi:

Choose the license type Enlist the business activities Pick a legal structure Register a trading name for your venture.
Submit your application for initial approval by the DED Find a local sponsor Sign a Memorandum of Association (MOA)
Find a location to incorporate your business and secure a tenancy contract

How much does a business license cost in Abu Dhabi?

You can secure a business license in Abu Dhabi for around AED 25,000 based on your business activities. Furthermore, the overall trade license Abu Dhabi cost also includes an additional fee for using a foreign trading name, and you also need to pay a yearly Abu Dhabi trade license renewal fee.

What are the steps to renew a trade license in Abu Dhabi?

You need to review your tenancy contract, attain approvals from various administrative authorities, and file your renewal application. Once you’re done with these steps, simply pay the Abu Dhabi trade license renewal fee from the payment voucher.

LLC Company in Abu Dhabi

Limited Liability Companies (LLC) are one of the most common types of corporate commercial entities that entrepreneurs and corporations can establish in the UAE. With a quick and easy process, and a broad range of business incentives, LLCs are widely preferred by entrepreneurs and corporations that want to penetrate the UAE market and establish a solid footing in the Middle East region.

The current law on commercial entities in UAE requires Limited Liability Companies to have at least one or more local sponsors or Emirati partners. This means the local partner/sponsor(s) must own a minimum of 51 percent of the shares in the LLC.

At PRO Partner Group, we understand that some foreign investors might be concerned about this arrangement and the thought that another individual will hold more than half of your company. As such, we have developed a secure and trusted nominee structure for LLC company formation in Abu Dhabi that ensures the interests of our clients are fully protected in accordance with the law.

If you choose to partner with PRO Partner Group, we will be the Emirati partner of your LLC company, ensuring you can run your day-to-day business operations without any interference. This set-up also removes any pressure for you to independently find and maintain a trustworthy and reliable local sponsor relationship.

How is an LLC Company in Abu Dhabi Set Up and Structured?

One of the key advantages of an LLC setup is that foreign partners have limited liability exposure due to their share in the total investment capital. The Emirate of Abu Dhabi requires no specific minimum share capital amount, and Commercial Law has stipulated that the capital should be adequate for the company’s needs.

Exceptions to this rule include activities such as real estate and recruitment since these can only be completed by 100 percent locally owned entities. Our company formation specialists will advise you on the best way to structure your business based on the activities you wish to undertake.

More Information About LLC Company Formation in Abu Dhabi

No required minimum capital investment
No local corporate tax
A Trade Licence is only issued for LLC entities that already have a proper physical office or business space
Any document written in foreign language should be translated into Arabic by a legal translator and duly certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Justice, for companies incorporated abroad.