Abu Dhabi Mainland Company Formation
A mainland licence lets you trade anywhere in the UAE without a distributor, bid for government work, and open premises the public can walk into. For a lot of activities it is not a preference — it is the only option.
When mainland is the right answer
- You sell directly to customers inside the UAE
- You want to bid for government or semi-government contracts
- You need a shop, restaurant, clinic or other public premises
- Your activity is restricted to mainland — brokerage, contracting, recruitment, tourism
- You want unlimited visa quota, scaled to your office size rather than a package tier
Government and energy work
Most Abu Dhabi government and semi-government procurement requires an Abu Dhabi mainland licence and, frequently, local registration with the contracting entity. If public sector revenue is the plan, this is where you want to be.
100% foreign ownership
Most commercial and professional activities now allow full foreign ownership on mainland, which removed the main historic reason to prefer a free zone. A short list of strategic-impact activities still requires Emirati participation. We check your specific activity against the current list rather than relying on what was true last year.
The process
- Activity selection and initial approval. We map what you do to the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) activity list and secure initial approval.
- Trade name reservation. Three options in order of preference, screened against the naming rules.
- Memorandum and legal structure. Drafted and notarised, with shareholder and manager roles set out properly.
- Premises and Tawtheeq. Mainland requires a registered tenancy. We will tell you the smallest compliant option for your activity.
- External approvals. Where the activity needs them — municipality, health authority, RERA, MOHRE, Civil Defence.
- Licence issuance. Trade licence issued, Chamber of Commerce registration completed.
- Establishment card and visas. Immigration and labour files opened, then quota, entry permits, medicals, Emirates ID and stamping.
What it costs
Mainland costs are driven by three things: the activity and its approvals, the premises you take, and how many visas you need. We quote all three as one itemised figure, confirmed against current government fees on the day we send it.
Quote me for Abu Dhabi mainland
Tell us what the business does and we will come back with the licence route, the approvals needed, and a full cost.
Abu Dhabi Mainland — Questions We Get Asked
Can I own 100% of a mainland company?
For most commercial and professional activities, yes — over a thousand activities now allow full foreign ownership. A short list of strategic-impact activities still requires Emirati participation, and we check yours against the current list.
Do I need a physical office?
Yes. Mainland requires a registered tenancy — Ejari in Dubai, Tawtheeq in Abu Dhabi. We will tell you the smallest compliant option for your activity.
How does the visa quota work?
It follows verified office space, at roughly 8 to 10 square metres per visa. More staff means more space, so size the premises against the headcount you are planning for.
Which activities are mainland-only?
Real estate brokerage and property management, construction and contracting, retail and food premises, clinics and pharmacies, recruitment and manpower supply, and travel agencies and tour operators.
Can I bid for government contracts?
That is one of the main reasons to be on mainland. Most government and semi-government procurement requires a mainland licence and often registration with the contracting entity.
How long does mainland setup take?
Five to ten working days for a straightforward activity. External approvals — municipality, health authority, RERA, MoHRE, Civil Defence — sit outside that and vary.
Not Covered Above? Ask Us.
Send the question as you would ask it on the phone. One of the team answers it properly — not a template, and not a sales call dressed up as an answer.