ADGM Free Zone Company Setup

Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) is a financial centre that offers company set ups in the Al Maryah island in Abu Dhabi. The Al Maryah island is an international financial centre in the capital city of the UAE.

Broadly, ADGM offers three categories of licenses for a company setup, namely: (a) non-financial license, (2) retail license (3) financial license. Several business activities can be conducted under each license type.

Depending on the license type, two authorities register ADGM companies. In ADGM, retail and non- financial license are registered with the Registration Authority. Financial license is registered with the Financial Services and Regulatory Authority. ADGM companies are regulated by the English common law. ADGM Courts have been setup to ensure legal certainty by ensuring streamlined compliance.

The Benefits of Incorporating an ADGM Company

An ADGM company has the following benefits:

• ADGM allows 100 % foreign ownership.
• ADGM offers a full ecosystem comprising of legal, accounting and servicing.
• No limit on the number of activities per license (if the activities fall within the same scope).
• ADGM aligns itself with the best international practices recognised by major financial centres of the world.
• Zero (0) direct tax.
• 100 % repatriation of profits.
• Multiple and flexible office set up options.
• Flexible options for investor and employee visas.
• Get one visa for every eight (8) square meter of office space.
• Streamlined and time-oriented application process.
• Simple and convenient business procedures.
• Zero restrictions on foreign employees.
• English speaking and common law judicial system.
• Ease of doing business. In 2019, UAE was ranked 11^th on the Doing Business Index.
• Presence in the heart of the UAE allows ease of doing business with various multinational companies.
• Easy access to the rest of the UAE and globally. Abu Dhabi’s strategic locations grants easy access to major financial hubs of the world.

ADGM companies offers licenses for setting up non-financial, retail and financial businesses. The permitted business activities that can be set up under these licenses are listed below:

Non-Financial License Activities

• Consultancy
• Management consultancy
• Computer programming
• Professional services
• Legal
• Accounting
• Advertising and market research
• Head office
• Architectural and engineering
• Architectural and engineering consultancy.
• Restricted scope companies
• Information service activities
• Scientific and technical
• Scientific research and development
• Real Estate
• Rental and leasing
• Residential care
• Services to buildings / landscapes
• Office administration and support
• Social work
• Manufacturing
• Information and communication.
• Publishing activities
• Motion picture, video and television program production.
• Sound recording and music publishing.
• Programming and broadcasting
• Printing and reproduction of recorded media.
• Employment
• Security and investigation
• Repair / installation of machinery and equipment.
• Electricity, gas and air conditioning supply.
• Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities.
• Administrative and support service
• Construction
• Civil Engineering
• Transport and storage
• Warehousing
• Accommodation and food service.
• Telecommunications
• Open ended / close ended investment activities.
• Public administration and defence
• Education
• Human Health
• Activities of membership organization.
• Activities of household
• Activities of extraterritorial organization and bodies.

Retail License Activities

• Manufacturing of food and beverages.
• Manufacturing of textiles.
• Manufacturing of wearing apparels.
• Manufacturing of leather
• Manufacturing of chemicals and chemical products.
• Manufacturing of furniture
• Manufacturing of jewellery.
• Wholesale and retail trade
• Maintenance and repair.
• Postal and courier services.
• Food and beverage services.
• Photography
• Rental and leasing of motor vehicles, household goods etc.
• Tour and travel services.
• Art and entertainment.
• Amusement and recreation.

Financial License Activities

• Private banking
• Wealth management
• Investment banking
• Corporate and transaction
• Digital banking
• Money service business
• Wealth and asset management
• Investment management
• Fund and fund management
• Asset servicing
• Capital markets
• Brokerage
• Market infrastructure
• Virtual asset activities
• Listing authority and products
• Securities
• FinTech
• Special purpose vehicles

Public Company Limited by Shares

This company can be formed by minimum one shareholder. The shareholder can either be an individual or a corporate. The individual shareholder must be above the age of eighteen (18) years. This company must appoint at least two (2) directors.

Private Company Limited by Shares / Guarantee

This company can also be formed by minimum one (1) shareholder, who can be an individual or a corporate entity. The individual shareholder must be above the age of eighteen (18) years. A minimum of one director must be appointed in this company. The liability of the shareholder is limited to the shareholder’s investment in the company.

Unlimited Company

The minimum requirement to form an unlimited company is one (1) shareholder and one (1) director. The shareholder / director can be a corporation or an individual [above eighteen (18) years]. In this company form, the liability of the shareholder is not restricted to its investment.

Branch of a Foreign Company

The minimum number of shareholder(s) and director(s) depends on the requirements of the home country. This company requires an authorised signatory in the UAE, who should be above the age of eighteen (18) years.

Investment Company

This company can be formed with the ADGM with at least one (1) shareholder and one (1) director. The shareholder and director must be above the age of eighteen (18) years. However, the director must be an approved investment fund manager by FSRA or any other regulatory authority.

The following documents are required to form a company with ADGM:

•  Copy of passport.
• Emirates ID (if the person is a UAE resident).
• UAE visa (if already granted).
• Two coloured passport size photos with a white background.
• Proof of share capital as required.
• Business plan
• Sample CV
• Proof of funds
• Corporate shareholder’s resolution
• Certificate of incorporation of home country business (for corporate shareholders).

Requirement of office space differs on a case-to-case basis and largely depends on the type of business license and the nature of the business activity. For businesses that either require an office space or wish to operate from the Al Maryah island, ADGM provides various office options including hot desks, dedicated desks, private offices, office suites and large commercial office spaces. The options available for office spaces are provided below:

WeWork

The offices provided by WeWork are located at the Al Khatem Tower situated within the ADGM square. WeWork offers private offices, dedicated desks and hot desks. The property also gives access to lounges and conference rooms.

Regus Business Centre

Regus business centre is in Al Maqam Tower situated at the ADGM square. The business centre provides personal office spaces and co-working spaces. The office spaces include window offices, interior offices, office suites, shared offices and hot desks. The business centre gives you flexible options of adding desks as the number of staff in the business grows. Additional services at the Regus Business Centre includes high speed internet, phone lines, receptionist, communal kitchen, office maintenance, business lounges, and access to printers, scanners and photocopiers.

Commercial Office Spaces

Four (4) high end commercial towers namely the Al Sila, Al Sarab, Al Maqam and Al Khatam towers gives access to 200,000 Sqm of commercial office spaces. These towers adhere to international standards. Interestingly, the US Green Budling Council has awarded the LEED Core and Shell Gold Pre-Certification to all the four (4) towers. The following office space options are available:

• Small office spaces of approximately 182 Sqm.
• Large office spaces of approximately 1,700 – 1,900 Sqm.
• Full floor of approximately 1,900 Sqm.
• One car parking is offered for every 46m2 of office space.

The below tabulated fees are payable at the time of setting of a company:

Fees to renew the company is payable every year after the end of company’s first (1) year. The below tabulated fees are payable annually for renewal of the company: