Guide
A guidance on how to register a company user can be accessed here.
Abu Dhabi boasts first-class infrastructure and unparalleled global connectivity, making it a premier international destination. Its exceptional qualities make it an ideal location to live, work, and conduct business.
A financial centre that provides transparency, efficiency, and integrity, through its progressive frameworks, future focused infrastructure, all within a familiar independent legal jurisdiction – ADGM is the perfect platform for success.
ADGM, the centre for a transparent and thriving sustainable finance ecosystem.
Our community of business professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors can depend on ADGM to provide timely news and reliable insights.
At ADGM, we offer various support options, including contact details, FAQs, enquiry forms, and a whistleblowing form.
Corporate Relations – Government Services
The Corporate Relations department offers a wide range of services for both ADGM registered entities as well as for the non-ADGM registered entities/community.
Registered Entities can avail of a wide range of services such as Visa services, Operational Permits etc., and our non-ADGM entities can access permit services to support activations within the jurisdiction.
All services can be accessed through the ACCESSADGM portal, a highly efficient, comprehensive and integrated online portal that has contributed to enhancing our ease of doing business and enjoying a seamless digital experience by our clients.
Services that we offer
Establishment Services
Pre & Post incorporation services, including the Establishment card and E-channels services which triggers the registration of the entity at The Federal Authority for Identity & Citizenship, Customs & Ports Security.
Employment & Visa Services
Employment visas, Work Permits, Temporary work permits and dependents visa services for all the individuals working for the ADGM registered entities.
Permits Services
Granting permits to the ADGM registered entities and Al Maryah Island community to Conduct activities and activations.
Ad-hoc services
Various offered services to the ADGM registered entities includes PO boxes, facilitate access to health insurance providers and corporate bank accounts.
1. Visa Services
Obtaining an employment Visa
To obtain an employment visa for a newly registered ADGM entity; please register for a “Company User” account at our Government Services Portal ACCESSADGM.
Activating Employment Visa Services
Upon receiving approval on the user access request; you will be able to apply for the below two steps in ACCESSADGM, which are prerequisites (from the immigration department), to activate the Employment visa services under your registered entity:
- Step 1: Apply for an Establishment card. (Standard processing timeline is 05 Working Days)
- Step 2: Apply for the E-channels account. (Standard processing timeline is 01 Working Day)
Applying for an Employment Visa
Upon obtaining approvals on the above two steps, you will be able to apply for the New Employment Visa service requests in ACCESSADGM. The following are the required documents, to apply an employment visa:
- Passport copy (minimum 6 months validity);
- Passport size photograph, as per the following specifications written here. (White background is a must)
- Employment contract/ offer letter. Copy of the standard template of an employment contract available here.
Note
Estimated processing timelines of an employment visa is 7 working days. This timing excludes any unforeseen delays from the competent authority for issuing visas.
Other VISA services
A. Employee
Cancel Employment Residence Visa
New Employment Residence Visa
Renew Employment Residence Visa
Visa Transfer
Update Personal Details
Visa Correction - Change of Name
Visa Amendment - Change of Job Title
Visa Correction - Change of Name
Visa Re-Stamping on Lost Passport
Visa Re-Stamping on New/Damaged Passport
Report an Employee as Absconded
Withdraw Absconding Status of an Employee
B. Work Permits
New Employee Work Permit (UAE/GCC National)
Renew Employee Work Permit (UAE/GCC National)
Replace Employee Work Permit (UAE/GCC National)
New Temporary Work Permit
Renew Temporary Work Permit
Replace Temporary Work Permit
C. Dependent
New Dependents Residence Visa
New Born Baby in the UAE
Renew Dependent Residence Visa
Cancel Dependents Residence Visa
Visa Correction - Change of Name
Visa Re-Stamping on New/Damaged Passport
Visa Re-Stamping on Lost Passport
Personal Visit Visa
Visa Quota
The tables below identifies the different types of employment allocation ratios that ADGM Licensed Persons are entitled for:
A. For Category A and Category B Entities with a Business Center Address
Entity Type
Business Activity Type
Visa Eligibility per desk
Category A & B
Standard
2
Category A & B
Innovation
3
B. For Category A, B & C with Physical Office Space/ Leased Premises
Entity Category
Business Activity Type
Area Required for 1 Visa
Category A & B
Standard
8 SQM
Retail Unit / Restaurants
Retail (Category C)
6 SQM
Hoteliers
Category B
20 SQM
Kiosks
Retail (Category C)
3 Visas per unit
2. Work Permits/ Temporary Work permits
An ADGM work permit is a document granting an employee of an ADGM Licensed Person permission to work in or from Al Maryah Island, the geographical jurisdiction of ADGM (“Work Permit”).
Note
The ADGM Registration Authority is the sole issuing authority for Work Permits.
Full time Non-Sponsored Employees
A. Employee sponsored by spouse/parent
This category covers individuals directly employed by an ADGM Licensed Person but, who remain on a visa sponsored by their spouse or parent. For more information regarding the required documentation to be provided upon submitting the application for a Work Permit, please refer to the ACCESSADGM portal or email accessadgm.cases@adgm.com.
B. UAE & GCC Nationals
UAE and GCC nationals are not required to obtain an employment visa; however, the ADGM Licensed Person must obtain a Work Permit for those employees that enables them to work on Al Maryah Island.
C. Golden Visa Holders
This category covers individuals directly employed by an ADGM Licensed Person, and have been granted the long term Residence Visa as per the UAE Government Golden Visa Program (Cabinet Resolution No. 56 of 2018).
Temporary Work Permits
An ADGM temporary work permit is a document issued, pursuant to the Rules, by the ADGM Registration Authority to an individual, who will work for the ADGM Licensed Person on a temporary basis, and who does not fall under the definition of an employee (as defined in the Regulations) (“Temporary Work Permit”). The Temporary Work Permit permits such individuals to work in or from Al Maryah Island.
As per the Rules, the ADGM Licensed Person with which the individual is engaged is responsible for obtaining, maintaining and paying the cost of the required Temporary Work Permit.
Note
The Registrar is the sole authority to issue, renew and revoke Temporary Work Permits.
The ADGM Licensed Persons must obtain Temporary Work Permits when engaging the individuals categorised below (prior to the commencement of their engagement):
Secondees
Secondees are individuals, temporarily engaged by an ADGM Licensed Person, on a secondment basis, and have the right to work in the UAE but do not hold a visa facilitated by the Registrar.
Interns
Interns are students and/or trainees who work, with or without pay, in order to gain work experience with an ADGM Licensed Person.
Temporary Freelancers
Temporary Freelancers are individuals, not being employees, who provide services in or from ADGM on a temporary basis, who are not under the exclusive direction and control of an ADGM Licensed Person, and who hold a freelancer license from a UAE free zone.
Outsourced Individuals
Individuals temporarily working in ADGM for one or more ADGM licenced entities under an outsourcing agreement and who have the right to work in the UAE but do not hold a visa facilitated by the ADGM Registration
3. Permits
Permit Type
Description
Alcohol Permit
Certain ADGM Entities, located in Al Maryah Island, can request a permit for serving alcohol to guests for consumption within their premises.
Entertainment Permit
Through this service , registered entities can request an entertainment permit for various entertainers, including but not limited to singers, dancers, artists, and other types of performers that can be considered for entertainment, upon the request of venue owners, restaurants, hotels, and event organisers on Al Maryah Island.
Events and Exhibition Permit
An event is defined as any activity organised on Al Maryah Island , whether for recreational, marketing, sporting, artistic, educational, touristic, health, religious, political or other purposes; The event could be also arranged as a conference, a festival, an exhibition, a concert, a theatrical performance, a symposium, a forum or any other format. Conducting such activation, requires ADGM permit.
Photography Permit
This service aims to obtain temporary photography permits for indoor/ outdoor photography activations on AL Maryah Island.
Sales and Promotion Permit
For any sales or promotion activities within Al Maryah Island, it is mandatory for the ADGM registered entity to obtain an ADGM permit.
Shisha Permit
Certain Registered entities with limited activities like, tourism establishments, Restaurants & Coffee Shops are required to obtain permit for serving shisha on their premises.
Trainings and Seminars Permit
This permit is required for any person specifically requested to speak to an audience on a given topic and who delivers a speech or a presentation. The application should be submitted with relevant speaker documents and a clear agenda for obtaining ADGM approval.
Information Resources
Meanwhile below links will give you more insights on ACCESSADGM (our Government Services Portal) and on the application process:
Video Tutorials
ACCESSADGM Overview
Company User Services
New Employment Visa
Services for Community Users / Non-ADGM Registered Entities
Non-ADGM registered entities can obtain/ apply for services in order to conduct events, trainings, seminars or photography activities on Al Maryah Island. Such activations requires an ADGM permit. Services can be obtained through AccessADGM portal.
Permit Type
Description
Entertainment Permit
Through this service , registered entities can request an entertainment permit for various entertainers, including but not limited to singers, dancers, artists, and other types of performers that can be considered for entertainment, upon the request of venue owners, restaurants, hotels, and event organisers on Al Maryah Island.
Events and Exhibition Permit
An event is defined as any activity organised on Al Maryah Island , whether for recreational, marketing, sporting, artistic, educational, touristic, health, religious, political or other purposes; The event could be also arranged as a conference, a festival, an exhibition, a concert, a theatrical performance, a symposium, a forum or any other format. Conducting such activation, requires ADGM permit.
Photography Permit
This service aims to obtain temporary photography permits for indoor/ outdoor photography activations on AL Maryah Island.
Trainings and Seminars Permit
This permit is required for any person specifically requested to speak to an audience on a given topic and who delivers a speech or a presentation. The application should be submitted with relevant speaker documents and a clear agenda for obtaining ADGM approval.
To obtain such services, please follow below steps:
Information Resources
Videos Here
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