1,100+ activities
Standard Economic Licence
Broadest mainland path. From AED 1,200 including 6 activities. Office required (optional year one for some activities).
Visa that typically follows: Investor / partner residence, then staff visas.
ADRA · Establishing a business in Abu Dhabi
Setting up your business
The official path follows ADRA — the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority. Khalis types the pack and follows the file on TAMM. The authority issues the licence. Residence visas, if needed, are a separate ICA file after the licence.
How to start
How to start
The same sequence ADRA publishes — prepared at our desk.
- 01
Business activity
Match the activity to the correct ADRA licence type.
- 02
Legal form
Establishment, LLC, partnership or sole proprietorship.
- 03
Trade name
Choose a unique name and register it.
- 04
Business location
Tenancy (Tawtheeq). Some activities allow the office to wait.
- 05
Contracts
MOA or local service-agent agreement.
- 06
Initial approval
So the file can move before every stamp.
- 07
Extra approvals
Municipality, Health, DCT — by activity.
- 08
Economic licence then visas
Pay fees, collect the licence, then establishment card and residence if required.
Choose your path
Choose your path
Six ADRA mainland types — plus free zone, industrial and Dubai. We map activity, nationality and office to the right track.
Fast track · 940 activities
Instant Licence
Documents can follow up to one month after the licence. AED 790–5,500. Lease required.
Visa that typically follows: Same investor / staff path after the licence is live.
Set up from abroad
Virtual Licence
For foreigners outside the UAE. Passport and photo. No office at start.
Visa that typically follows: Convert to residence after first arrival.
Family residency · no office
Freelancer Licence
AED 1,200 including 6 activities. ADRA: holders can secure residency for themselves and their families.
Visa that typically follows: Freelancer residence, or Green Visa if income and education qualify.
Emirates ID only
Tajer Abu Dhabi
From AED 790. No office for three years. For nationals, residents and GCC.
Visa that typically follows: Applicant already holds Emirates ID; extra visas only if the form allows quota.
Free zone → mainland
Dual Licence
Free-zone companies expanding to the mainland. AED 1,200 including 6 activities.
Visa that typically follows: Mainland quota after the dual licence and establishment card.
Free zone, industrial and Dubai
Different issuing authorities — we map the file from Muroor Road before you pay.
100% ownership · visa quota
Free Zone Licence
ADGM, KEZAD, twofour54, Masdar and other zones. 100% foreign ownership, flexi-desk or office, visa quota with the package.
Visa that typically follows: Zone-issued residence quota, then Emirates ID and stamping.
Manufacturing · mainland / KEZAD
Industrial Licence
Factories, processing and assembly. Mainland industrial (ADRA Rowad) or KEZAD industrial zone — land, utilities and export access.
Visa that typically follows: Investor and staff visas after the industrial file and establishment card.
Mainland DET · Dubai free zone
Dubai Licence
DET mainland trade licence, or a Dubai free zone (DMCC, IFZA, Meydan…). Typed from Abu Dhabi; GDRFA steps stay in Dubai.
Visa that typically follows: GDRFA / ICA residence after the Dubai licence. We brief before you pay.
Fees and extra approvals change by activity. Confirm on WhatsApp before you pay government fees. Service charges are quoted separately.