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Setting Up

Operating in ADGM

Courts

Getting Started

Who can apply for a licence at ADGM? What are the permitted business activities? What are the steps involved in the registration and incorporation process? How do I submit an application? How much is it going to cost? How do I reserve a name? What Forms will I be Required to Fill Out? How can I make a payment? How long is it going to take? What Happens After my Entity is Registered? If I am licensed at ADGM, can I conduct business activities in Abu Dhabi? How will firms be regulated within ADGM? How do I obtain visas and what is their validity? How do I obtain an International Securities Identification Number (ISIN) for Securities and / or Units of a Collective Investment Fund issued from ADGM?

Foundations Regime

Why do we have a Foundations Regime? What are the benefits of an ADGM foundation? Are foundations the same as trusts? What are the key features of ADGM’s Foundations Regime? Does the ADGM Foundations Regime require local representation at ADGM? Can foreign persons take advantage of ADGM foundations? Which Court has jurisdiction over ADGM foundations? Does the ADGM Foundations Regime provide for the preservation of assets? How long does it take to set up an ADGM foundation? How confidential is my information in respect of an ADGM foundation? What is the cost of an ADGM foundation?

Resolution for Incorporation

What is Resolution for Incorporation? Do I need a resolution for incorporation? I am registering a branch, do I need a resolution? How to submit Resolution for Incorporation? Where can I find the Resolution for Incorporation’s template? Can I amend or make changes to the template? Can I use Arabic resolution? Who should sign the resolution? Does the resolution requires notarization? Does the shareholders need to sign the articles in ADGM’s office? We would like ADGM to witness the signatures of the shareholders, can the shareholders sign the resolutions in ADGM’s office?

ADGM Tech Startup Commercial Licence

What is the Tech Startup Licence? Can anyone apply for this Licence? What type of business can use the incentivised Tech Startup Licence? What are the various ADGM criteria of startups and incentive benefits? If my startup meets the emergent stage criteria, would I apply as emergent? How long is the incentivised Tech Startup Licence valid for? Do I need physical office space? Can I apply for employee visas with the Tech Startup Licence? Do the shareholders have to be physically present to apply for the licence? Are there any naming conventions for Tech Startup companies? Can I use an existing company name when I establish in ADGM? Are there any ongoing obligations for the company? Where and how do I apply for a Tech Startup Licence? Are there any additional costs? Is the USD 1,000 registration fee refundable in case my application is not approved? Does my licence permit me to open a bank account and commence invoicing activities? After I submit the online application, how much time does it take for the approval process? Does ADGM's Tech Startup Licence allow us to sell our products across Abu Dhabi? Can I conduct financial related activities with a Tech Startup Licence? How do I join Hub71, the tech ecosystem and community based in ADGM? I’m a FinTech, should I apply through RegLab? Or apply for the ADGM Tech Startup License first?