A Complete Guide to Company Setup in Abu Dhabi

Overview

In 2024, the company setup in Abu Dhabi is gaining exponential popularity due to investor-friendly policies and favorable amendments like 100% ownership, tax advantages and more. With the faster economic growth of the country, Abu Dhabi has become the most ideal destination for global investors and entrepreneurs to set up their businesses. 

Starting a business in Abu Dhabi need to complete a few crucial steps efficiently. In this blog, we will have a detailed look at all the key steps to set up your company in the capital city of the UAE.   

How to Start a Company in Abu Dhabi?

Business setup in Abu Dhabi involves several steps and considerations. Let’s dive into the key steps to start a company in Abu Dhabi.

STEP 1: Identify the Right Type of Business Activity

Determine the activities of your business and ensure they comply with local regulations. Once the business structure is chosen, the licensing fees and legal requirements are adapted accordingly. The six types of licences available in the UAE are industrial, professional, agricultural, tourism, occupational and commercial.

Based on your commercial practices you can register your business in Freezone and Mainland of the UAE. 

STEP 2: Decide Ownership Structure 

The second step of business setup Abu Dhabi includes determining the legal structure of your business from several types of ownership, such as:

• General Partnership
• Limited partnership
• Limited liability company (LLC)
• Public joint-stock company (PJSC)
• Private joint-stock company (PrJSC)
• Civil company
• Local company branch
• GCC company branch
• Foreign company branch
• Free zone company branch
• Sole Establishment
• Holding companies

STEP 3: Trade Name Registration 

Register the trade name of your business with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED). You need to meet the following criteria to decide a unique and relevant trade name:

• The name should not violate public order or morals. 
• The name should not contain logos or names of any governing authority or religion. 
• A Unique name must be followed by an acronym (legal form of the company).
• The name should represent the purpose of your business activity.  
• Make sure that your trade name has yet to be used in the past by other businesses. 

STEP 4: Obtaining Initial Approvals

After getting a trade name certificate, the DED will issue you the initial approvals for company setup in Abu Dhabi. These initial approvals will allow you to apply for a business licence in the UAE. 

STEP 5: Apply for the Business Licences

After completing above mentioned steps you need to collect a business licence from the service centers of the Economic Departments. You can apply for your licence on their website that requires to have the following documents:

• Receipt of initial approvals.
• Previously submitted documents.
• Copy of lease contract that should be duly attested by the RERA ( Real Estate Regulatory Agency).
• Duly attested MOA ( Memorandum of Association).
• All required approvals from other government entities.
• Duly attested contact details of your local sponsor in the UAE. 

Conclusion

Planning to company setup in Abu Dhabi may be a great opportunity for foreign investors to take advantage of 100% business ownership, tax benefits, diverse business activities and an easy business setup process. We have covered the entire process of Abu Dhabi company formation from identifying a business activity, ownership structure and trade name to obtaining all essential approvals and business licences. 

How Arab Business Consultants Help You?

We are a leading business setup consultancy in the UAE, having years of experience in providing the best PRO services, VAT services, Local Sponsor services and Virtual Office Setup Services. 

So, if you are planning to set up your business in Abu Dhabi in 2024. Enjoy a seamless and smooth business setup process by handling all the legalities and approval work on Arab Business Consultants.  

Talk to our expert business consultants to plan your company setup in Abu Dhabi.

Visit our website to learn more about the business setup process in the UAE. 

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