ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) at a glance
ADGM is Abu Dhabi’s international financial centre, established in 2015 and operating under English common law with its own courts and the FSRA as regulator. It is a leading choice for asset managers, family offices, fintechs and holding structures.
Who is ADGM suitable for?
- Asset managers and family offices
- Fintech and regulated financial services
- Holding and SPV structures
Industries commonly considered
Financial Services, Cryptocurrency / Virtual Assets, Holding / Investment, Technology. Confirm your exact activity is permitted before applying.
ADGM company formation cost
Indicative band Indicative AED 25,000–55,000+ for non-financial licences; regulated activities cost more — an indicative market band, not the authority's price list.
Year-one budget: AED 25,000–55,000+ (non-financial); FSRA-regulated firms significantly higher. Renewal: Annual licence and office renewals; regulated firms pay regulator fees.
Not included: professional-service fees, extra residence visas, office upgrades, bank minimum balances and external approvals. Estimate your own visa count with the cost calculator.
Licences and company structures at ADGM
The authority (ADGM Registration Authority; financial regulation by the FSRA) decides which activities and licence categories are currently available. The table shows the activities most associated with ADGM and the licence category you would typically ask about — confirm the exact activity code before applying.
| Activity | Typical licence category (confirm) |
|---|---|
| Financial services (FSRA-regulated) | Regulated financial authorisation (regulator) plus licence |
| Fund management and family offices | Regulated financial authorisation (regulator) plus licence |
| Fintech and technology | Technology / service licence |
| Holding company structures | Holding company registration |
Company structures
Private company limited by shares, branch of an existing company, and special-purpose or foundation structures where the centre offers them (terminology and eligibility differ between DIFC and ADGM — confirm with the authority).
Requirements and documents
- Passport copies and passport photos for shareholders, directors and managers
- Proof of residential address and, for some applicants, a bank reference
- A completed application and a business plan or activity description where requested
- Attested incorporation documents if a shareholder is a company
- Approvals from other authorities for regulated activities (health, education, finance, food, media)
Requirements vary by activity, nationality and structure. Always use ADGM’s current checklist. Full guide: how UAE company formation works.
How to set up a company in ADGM
- Choose the activity and confirm eligibilityCheck your activity against ADGM’s permitted list and any external approval it needs.
- Reserve the trade nameSubmit name options; approval commonly takes a few working days.
- Submit documents and pay feesGovernment fees are paid to the authority; service fees are separate.
- Sign incorporation documentsSign the Memorandum/Articles digitally or in person, as the zone allows.
- Receive the licenceTiming at ADGM: 2–4 weeks (longer for regulated firms), subject to the authority.
- Establishment card, visas and Emirates IDEach visa holder completes entry permit, medical test, biometrics and Emirates ID.
- Bank account and tax registrationApply for a corporate account and register for corporate tax (and VAT if required).
Office requirements and visas
ADGM generally expects a physical presence appropriate to the licence, and regulated firms face additional substance expectations from the regulator. Confirm office rules for your specific licence category.
Visa information
Four different things are often blurred together: the company licence, the establishment/immigration card, the investor/partner residence visa and employee residence visas. At ADGM: Linked to office; regulated firms have additional requirements. A visa is never guaranteed and requires the applicant to complete medical testing and biometrics in the UAE. See the visa guide.
Banking, tax and compliance
Banking
Banking is decided by each bank, not by the free zone, and approval is never guaranteed. Our editorial view is that banks are generally high in their familiarity with ADGM entities, but they assess shareholders, activity, source of funds and documents case by case. Documents commonly requested include the licence, incorporation documents, passports and proof of address, a business plan or contracts, and source-of-funds evidence. Read the corporate banking guide.
Tax
A ADGM licence does not by itself decide your tax position. Corporate tax registration is required for free zone entities, the 0%/9% structure applies, and qualifying-income rules determine whether a free zone entity keeps a 0% rate on part of its income. VAT registration depends on your turnover and supplies. Read the corporate tax and compliance guide and confirm with a licensed adviser.
Compliance
Ongoing duties typically include annual licence renewal, keeping accounting records, corporate tax registration and filing, VAT if registered, economic-substance or beneficial-owner filings where applicable, and any activity-specific reporting. Confirm current duties with the authority and a licensed adviser.
Licence renewal
Annual licence and office renewals; regulated firms pay regulator fees. Renewal dates are set by your licence; late renewal can bring fines and complicate visas and banking. Check the authority’s renewal fee schedule before budgeting a second year.
Advantages and limitations
Advantages
- English common-law framework with independent ADGM Courts
- FSRA regulatory regime recognised internationally
- Strong environment for funds, family offices and fintech
- Tech and start-up pathways at lower cost than full financial licences
- 100% foreign ownership and full profit repatriation
Limitations to weigh
- Regulated activities carry FSRA fees and capital requirements
- Cost is materially higher than northern-emirate free zones
ADGM vs mainland
A ADGM licence is designed for its zone and does not automatically let you sell directly to mainland UAE customers. If most of your revenue comes from UAE customers, or you want government work, compare a mainland licence; if you mainly serve international clients or operate online, a free zone can be simpler. Neither is universally better — the decision framework walks through it.
Similar free zones
| ADGM | DIFC | KEZAD | twofour54 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Abu Dhabi | Dubai | Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi |
| Best for | Financial centre & regulated business | Financial services & regulated business | Industrial, manufacturing & logistics | Media, entertainment & gaming |
| Licence cost | Indicative AED 25,000–55,000+ for non-financial licences; regulated activities cost more | From about AED 104,079 (about AED 108,579 with one visa) | Indicative AED 55,000+ for industrial or warehouse setups (quote required) | Entry packages indicative AED 15,000–25,000 (quote required) |
| Setup time | 2–4 weeks (longer for regulated firms) | 2–6 weeks (longer for regulated firms) | 2–6 weeks | 2–4 weeks |
| Banking ease (editorial) | High | High | Good | Good |
| Fee data | Indicative band | Published fees | Indicative band | Indicative band |
DIFC · KEZAD · twofour54 · Masdar City Free Zone · Compare any zones
ADGM company formation: FAQs
What is ADGM company formation?
ADGM company formation means registering a company under ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market)'s rules in Abu Dhabi. ADGM is Abu Dhabi’s international financial centre, established in 2015 and operating under English common law with its own courts and the FSRA as regulator. Activities, fees and eligibility are set by the authority (ADGM Registration Authority; financial regulation by the FSRA) and vary by licence.
How much does it cost to set up a company in ADGM?
Indicative AED 25,000–55,000+ for non-financial licences; regulated activities cost more. This is an indicative planning band rather than the authority's price list — request a written quote for your activity.
Can foreigners own 100% of a ADGM company?
UAE free zones generally allow up to 100% foreign ownership and repatriation of profits. Some regulated activities carry conditions, so confirm eligibility for your exact licence with ADGM's authority.
What licences are available in ADGM?
Licence categories offered depend on the zone's current rules. For ADGM the activities most associated with it include financial services (fsra-regulated), fund management and family offices, fintech and technology; these typically map to: Holding company registration; Regulated financial authorisation (regulator) plus licence; Technology / service licence. Confirm the current licence list and activity codes with the authority.
Can I get a UAE residence visa through ADGM?
A free zone can usually sponsor investor/partner and employee residence visas, subject to package or office-based quotas and the applicant's eligibility. The trade licence and the visa are separate steps, and approval is never guaranteed. Visa allocation at ADGM: Linked to office; regulated firms have additional requirements.
What documents are required for ADGM company formation?
Commonly requested: passport copies and photos for shareholders and directors, proof of address, a completed application, and a business plan for some activities. Corporate shareholders provide attested incorporation documents; regulated activities need additional approvals. Confirm the current checklist with the authority.
Does ADGM require an office?
ADGM generally expects a physical presence appropriate to the licence, and regulated firms face additional substance expectations from the regulator. Confirm the current requirement for your licence type and number of visas.
Can a ADGM company do business in mainland UAE?
Not freely. Free zone companies generally cannot trade directly with mainland customers without a distributor, a dual-licence arrangement where the zone offers one, or a separate mainland licence or branch. If most customers are onshore, compare a mainland licence.
What are the benefits of ADGM?
English common-law framework with independent ADGM Courts; FSRA regulatory regime recognised internationally; Strong environment for funds, family offices and fintech. Weigh these against the limitations listed on this page.
How do I start a company in ADGM?
Choose your activity and check it against ADGM's permitted list; reserve a trade name; submit documents and pay the fees; sign the incorporation documents; receive the licence; then arrange the establishment card, visas, bank account and tax registration. Timelines: 2–4 weeks (longer for regulated firms), subject to the authority.
What is the difference between ADGM and DIFC?
Both are common-law financial free zones. DIFC is in Dubai (regulator: DFSA); ADGM is in Abu Dhabi (regulator: FSRA). The choice often comes down to where your clients, banks and team are based.
Sources and verification
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official website | adgm.com |
| Licensing / operating authority | ADGM Registration Authority; financial regulation by the FSRA |
| Fee data status | Indicative band — Indicative AED 25,000–55,000+ for non-financial licences; regulated activities cost more — an indicative market band, not the authority's price list |
| Last reviewed | September 2026 (fees: July 2026) |
| Government sources to check | UAE Government portal · Federal Tax Authority · ICP (residency) |
Fees and eligibility change. Confirm the zone’s current licence list, activity codes and fee schedule with the authority before paying; ZoneWise is not the authority and does not guarantee outcomes.
Get a written quote for ADGM
Tell us your activity and how many visas you need. We reply on WhatsApp or email with government fees shown separately from any service fee.
- Free, no obligation
- Honest advice — including when a different zone or mainland fits better
- No guarantee of visa or bank-account approval; both are subject to the relevant authority or bank
Information on this page is general and was compiled from public sources; fees and rules are set by the relevant authorities and change. Figures were last reviewed in July 2026 and exclude professional-service fees, office rent beyond any bundled desk, external approvals and bank requirements. This is not legal, tax or immigration advice. Always confirm the current position with the relevant authority before paying. See our Disclaimer.