Non-financial business
ADGM distinguishes financial, non-financial and retail activities. Select the permitted activities and prepare a coherent business proposition for the application.
Establishment in Abu Dhabi
Company formation in ADGM
Explore an ADGM establishment that fits your business purpose. We bring the proposed activity, ownership, governance and operating requirements into one brief before the incorporation and permission pathways are defined.
Your establishment options
Start with the right structure.
The route depends on your activity, ownership and operating plans. These are the decisions to resolve before the application.
Holding & corporate structures
ADGM’s published categories include holding companies, SPVs and foundations. Eligibility and the specific requirements must be checked against the intended structure.
Financial services
Financial activities follow an authorisation pathway with the FSRA before registration and incorporation. The commercial model and regulatory scope need to be defined at the start.
Local establishment essentials
Know what comes next.
The exact document list follows the selected entity, owners and activity. Your adviser will confirm the requirements for your case.
- Confirm the activity category and relevant permitted activities.
- Prepare the business plan and company-ownership information.
- Use the Registration Authority’s checklist for the selected entity.
- Coordinate any financial authorisation before the registration stage.
After incorporation
Plan for the years ahead.
ADGM commercial licences are renewed annually. Companies and LLPs also file annual confirmation statements; accounts-filing requirements vary by entity type. Maintain the required registered-office arrangements and check the separate data-protection renewal. A branch or foundation does not follow exactly the same filing schedule as a company.
From decision to establishment
A clear path to your next company.
The scope is agreed before the work begins. You can see what is included, who is responsible and what information is needed.
01
Define your requirements
We review the activity, owners, operating markets and practical requirements. Where the destination is undecided, the brief starts with comparing options.
02
Review your proposal
Your proposal sets out the chosen route, work involved, professional fees and external costs. Timing is assessed against the actual application and dependencies.
03
Establish & prepare to operate
Following agreement, the incorporation work and supporting steps are coordinated. Banking, visas and sector permissions follow their own assessment and approval processes.
Beyond incorporation
Bring the decisions together.
Select the support your business needs. The agreed scope may combine formation with corporate structuring, tax advice, banking preparation and relocation planning.
01 / Structure
Ownership & governance
Clarify shareholders, decision-making and the relationship with your wider group.
02 / TaxInternational tax advisory
Our own tax team considers the cross-border position, treaty questions and transfer pricing relevant to your brief.
03 / BankingCorporate banking support
Prepare the business profile, ownership information and account-opening requirements for bank review.
04 / PeopleVisas & personal residency
Coordinate immigration and personal tax-residency questions separately from the company’s registration.
Costs & timing
One proposal.
Your actual requirements.
Every case is quoted individually. The activity, ownership, location, premises and additional services determine the work and cost.
Professional work
The advisory, preparation and coordination included in your engagement.
External charges
Authority, notarial, registry, workspace and third-party costs, as applicable.
Time & dependencies
The document readiness, authority reviews and separate banking or immigration steps that influence delivery.
Your questions
Before you begin.
Does ADGM incorporation authorise financial services?
No. ADGM directs financial businesses through the FSRA authorisation process before registration and incorporation. The required permission depends on the actual activities proposed.
How much will my company setup cost?
We quote each case individually after reviewing the proposed activity, owners and required support. Your proposal separates professional fees from authority and third-party charges.
Can formation, banking and visas be handled together?
They can be coordinated within an agreed scope where applicable. Each follows its own requirements, and the relevant authority or bank makes the approval decision.
Your next step
Let’s plan your establishment.
Tell us your business activity, intended markets, ownership and any visa or banking needs. We will define the scope and prepare an individual proposal.
A short outline is enough to begin. Please do not email passports or bank documents at this stage.
Official incorporation references
Source material checked: 24 October 2026. General establishment information; requirements are confirmed for the individual case.
Photograph & credit
Wadiia · Abu dhabi skylines 2014.jpg · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photograph displayed with a responsive crop.