ADGM Free Zone Company Setup

What Should You Keep in Mind for ADGM Free Zone Company Registration?

Look at the following key eligibility criteria for the ADGM Free Zone Company Registration are as follows:

• Just one shareholder — could be an individual or corporate.
• You don't need a local UAE partner or sponsor — good news for foreigners like you.
• One director for the private company limited by shares and two for a PLC.
• A physical office address within the Free Zone.
• Clearly define the business activities and submit the list of proposed services.
• Sufficient funds between USD 10,000 and USD 10 million, based on your activity.
• Complete background checks on UBOs and key directors/promoters.
• Proof of the source of capital.
• Detailed business plan with target consumer markets and projected finances.
• A compliance officer & company secretary if you're a regulated financial business.
• Proper anti-money laundering and Know Your Customer procedures (if needed).

Common Business Opportunities for ADGM Free Zone Company Setup

Do you want to check if your desired business activity is allowed or not in the free zone? If yes, then check the below list of common business opportunities for the ADGM Free Zone Company Setup:

• Compliance and Legal Consulting Firms
• Tax and Accounting Advisory
• SaaS and Cloud Services
• AI Startups and Blockchain
• Cryptocurrency and Virtual Assets
• Cybersecurity
• Subsidiary and IPR Holding
• Investment and Asset Management
• Portfolio Advisory
• Real Estate Investment
• Finance Structuring
• Asset Protection and Succession Planning
• Digital Wallets
• VASP Exchanges and Platforms
• Global Trade Management Supply Chains
• PRO and Corporate Service Providers

How To Apply for the Abu Dhabi Global Market Company Registration?

Check out how Corpbiz will help you apply for the Abu Dhabi Global Market Company Registration, as explained below:

• Step 1: Determine Your Activities
  Selecting a business activity will give you clarity on the type of company structure (LTD, LLP, or branch office) for your setup in the global market. Some key activities include consulting, fintech, and holding services.
• Step 2: Pick and Reserve a Company Name
  Before you get your company's name approved by the authorities, you need to check if it's already in use by an existing entity in the Free Zone or as a trademarked brand in the UAE. Always remember one thing — the trade name must represent your proposed services.
• Step 3: Application Filing
  Whether it's a financial or non-financial business, you need to submit a form via the ADGM online portal. Some basic details and documents include information on the director/shareholder, business plan, MOA/AOA, and passport copies of all members.
• Step 4: Lease an Office
  In the next step, you need to secure a registered office in the ADGM — like a flexi desk, co-working space, small private office, or a warehouse. Regulated activities like crypto, PSPs, and fintech require a proper physical address like a dedicated space.
• Step 5: Pay the Licensing and Registration Fees
  After getting a workspace in the free zone, you should pay the mandatory license fees based on your activity, category, and activity type for the ADGM Free Zone company setup.
• Step 6: Get the License and Certificates
  Follow up with the authorities and reply to all clarifications if they have any in due course. Once the ADGM or FSRA confirms you meet all the requirements, they will issue the certificate of incorporation, license, and signed copies of the company's bylaws.
• Step 7: Licensing With the FSRA
  If you're planning a fintech or digital activity, then you will need to get a separate approval from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority. Steps include securing capital, preparing a compliance framework, and appointing a compliance officer.
• Step 8: Open a Company Bank Account
  Submit your business plan, AML/KYC compliance stacks, and the company's licensing paperwork to the banking institution for setting up a corporate bank account.
• Step 9: Register for Taxes
  If you want to take advantage of the zero-rated tax treatment, then you will need to get a valid tax ID with the Federal Tax Authority after the ADGM Free Zone company setup.

What Are the Types of Abu Dhabi Global Market Companies?

Having trouble choosing the most apt company type for your new business? Take a glance at the various types of Abu Dhabi Global Market Companies and legal structures for the ADGM Free Zone Company Setup are as follows:

• Private Company Limited by Shares (LTD): Very common amongst foreign entrepreneurs like you who are seeking an entry in the UAE's one of the best top-rated financial Free Zones. Good for fintech startups, consulting, and trading businesses with flexible management options. Members are only liable to the extent of their contributed capital in the company.
• Public Company Limited by Shares (PLC): Mostly used by established corporations and businesses seeking capital from the public by offering their shares. Highly recommended for companies with high capital and IPO-seeking businesses. Just like an LTD, a PLC also offers liability protection to the shareholders — protecting their personal assets against the business debts.
• Limited Liability Partnership: An LLP is somewhere between an LLC and a partnership firm. The structure requires at least two members who enjoy liability protection due to the separate legal existence. Best for you if you're into legal, consulting, and accounting domains.
• Branch of a Parent Company: If you already have a company established in your home country, you can simply expand your operations in the UAE with a branch office without a separate company incorporation. All you need is to hire a branch manager to take care of your daily operations. Common for foreign companies.
• Special Purpose Vehicle: Popular company structure within the Abu Dhabi Global Market for asset holding, investment structuring, and ring-fencing activities.
• Regulated Scope Company: With low or few compliance obligations, an RSC is used by family ventures and private investment/asset holdings. You can also form a regulated scope company if you're a high-net-worth individual.

What Type of Business Licenses Are Available Under the ADGM Free Zone Company Registration?

The ADGM doesn't use strict labels for its licenses like other UAE Free Zones, but here's an overview of the type of business licenses based on the nature of activities under the ADGM Free Zone Company Registration:

• Commercial License: Although the Abu Dhabi Global Market is a finance-heavy zone, you can still operate in trading management, import/export, and distribution. All in all, general business activities with this license.
• Finance Services License: Regulated by the FSRA, you can conduct services like wealth/asset management, PSP services, fintech, brokerage, and cryptocurrency.
• Holding Company License: Once you get a holding company license, you can hold IPR, investments, subsidiaries, and shareholdings with fewer operational compliance requirements.
• Service License: Non-financial activities like legal, tech support, business-managed, tax/accounting advisories, and consulting after the ADGM Free Zone business setup.
• Special Purpose Vehicle Activities: Common activities include ring-fencing assets/liabilities, investment restructuring, and securitizations. Basically, the license is more about finance and asset holding.

Corpbiz's Services for ADGM Free Zone Business Setup

• Incorporation & License of the Company: We don't just incorporate your company but also guide you in selecting the best business license, so get on board with us and check your eligibility within mere minutes.
• Trade Name Approval: Search and reserve your company's name — don't worry about early rejections or IPR infringements in the UAE.
• Corporate Bank Account Opening: Open a bank account with top foreign-friendly banking institutions like Wio, Mashreq, and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), and Emirates NBD — faster onboarding and full documentation.
• Tax Services: We'll register you for corporate and VAT, keep track of your annual return filings, and provide advisory in case you consider M&A or restructuring — optimize your liability to increase your earnings.
• Compliance Monitoring and Annual Filings: Our experts will make sure you don't miss out on any updates after the Abu Dhabi Global Market company formation — not just that, we'll also take care of all your filings, including annual returns, data protection renewals, UBO declarations, and more!
• Lease and Office Setup: Find your dream workspace in the ADGM — starting from shared/private offices to flexi desks and commercial setup with Corpbiz.
• Coordinate With Authorities: Let us cooperate and follow up with the ADGM, Financial Services Regulatory Authority, FTA, and banks to save time and effort, lower the chance of delays and rejections.
• Continuous Renewal Alerts: Our work doesn't end after we incorporate your business. Get regular updates and alerts for renewing your licenses and filings after the ADGM Free Zone company setup.
• Accounting and Bookkeeping: Say bye to repetitive accounting and bookkeeping and reduce your workload by 60% — prepare balance sheets, annual accounts, P&L, ledgers, cash flow statements, and more!