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  • Setting up in ADGM

    Setting up in ADGM
    Overview

    Grow and scale in Abu Dhabi’s award-winning international financial centre, providing an international and supportive business environment.

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    Preparing your application

    1. Select the nature of your business

    FinancialNon-FinancialRetail

    Banking & Money Services

    Wealth and Asset Management

    Capital Markets

    Digital Assets & Fintech

    Professional and business services
    Corporate Solutions

    • Head offices
    • Treasury
    • Holding Company
    • SPVs
    • Professional Associations
    • Foundations
    • Tech Startups

    Retail and entertainment

    Note

    If you are unsure of the category of your business, you can search the permitted activities, or alternatively you can talk to our business development team.

    For Financial Activities : Please view the authorisation process overview located here. This stage will need to be completed in advance of the Registration and Incorporation.

    SPVs and Foundation Applications : You will need to firstly confirm if you will be exempt from appointing a Company Service Provider (CSP) to complete your application. To support you with identifying this, we have published a tool to provide indication as to whether you will need to appoint a CSP to submit the application on your behalf.

    Note

    You can use this tool to confirm if you will be exempt from appointing a Company Service Provider (CSP).

    2. Select the legal structure

    ADGM permits a wide range of business structures to use. Overview of permitted structures is located here

    3. Check that your proposed name is available for use

    ADGM has a set of specific rules around the words that can be used within a proposed company name.

    1. If the name is similar to an existing name in ADGM, you will be required to provide evidence that you have the right to use this name.
    2. If your name contains sensitive terms, you will also need to provide evidence that the use of these terms have been approved for use by the relevant authorities. Our portal will provide a warning if you have entered a sensitive term as part of your proposed name (e.g. Bank, Emirates, Abu Dhabi etc.)
    Search the Register
    Note

    If you are using abbreviations as part of the name, the team may request that you submit the supplementary information to explain the meaning of the abbreviation. We recommend that if you are using an abbreviation, that you upload a supplementary document to avoid potential delays. Template of this supplementary document is located here

    Note

    Reserving the name is not required as it can be done as part of that application. However, this service is available should you wish to register the name in advance and can be done through the Online Registry Solution

    4. Identify your office space and register your lease

    Having a physical presence within the jurisdiction is a requirement for ADGM entities. The only exception to this rule is for Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), for more information on setting up an SPV and the requirements, particularly the appointment of a corporate service provider, please visit here.

    For details of the office spaces and co-working spaces on Al Maryah island and Al Reem island please click here.

    Note You will be asked for proof of lease / your lease registration as part of your registration / incorporation application.

    5. Documents and Information to support your application

    The completeness of your application will determine the length of time it will take for your commercial licence to be issued.

    You will note below that there are a number of supplementary documents that you will need to complete as part of your application. We are currently working to upgrade our platform.

    Note Any documentation such as proof of address, or source of wealth, should be dated within 3 months from the application submission.
    Note All required documents should be in English, and notarisation is not required, unless specifically requested by the Registrar.
    Registration and Incorporation documents:

    Financial Services Companies

    You will need to have your In Principle Approval issued before you commence your application for Registration / Incorporation.

    Articles of Association

    Template is available on the ADGM website but this can be amended or bespoke articles uploaded, provided the applicant can confirm that these are compliant with the ADGM Companies Regulations that can be accessed here.

    Resolutions

    Template is available on the ADGM website but this can be amended or bespoke articles uploaded, provided the applicant can confirm that these are compliant with the ADGM Companies Regulations that can be accessed here.

    Identification documents for Authorised Signatories and Directors

    Valid Passport copy and Emirates ID copies. If any of the role holders are dual passport holders, please upload copies of both passports.

    Source of wealth

    The Registrar can request to view documentation related to the source of wealth of individual shareholders, and individual UBOs (with ownership of more than 25%). Source of wealth can be bank statement, dated not more than 3 months from the application date. Declaration can be located here.

    Hub71 Approval Letter [Tech Start ups]

    Any application for the incentivized Tech Start up licence, must pass an initial eligibility review. All applications that will be considered, must be accompanied by a Hub71 approval letter. To apply for this letter, please visit the ADGM/Hub71 Tech Licence Eligibility Form.

    6. Information resources, downloadable application checklists

    Branch – Financial Services
    Limited Liability Partnership – Financial and Non-Financial
    Branch – Non-Financial Services
    Private Company Limited by Guarantee – Non-Financial Services
    Branch – Retail
    Private Company Limited by Shares – Financial Services
    Incorporated Cell Company as Investment Company LTD ICC
    Private Company Limited by Shares – Non-Financial Services
    Incorporate Protected Cell Company as Investment Company LTD PCC
    Private Company Limited by Shares – Non-Exempt SPV
    Incorporate Close/Open-Ended Investment Company LTD
    Private Company Limited by Shares – Continuance SPV
    Foundation (non-exempt)
    Private Company Limited by Shares – Retail
    Foundation Continuance (non-exempt)
    Private Company Limited by Shares – Continuance Financial, Non-Financial, Retail excluding SPV
    Sections you will need to complete in your form
    General Details
    Addresses
    Authorised Signatories
    Director
    Secretary
    Shares Capital
    Data Protection
    Beneficial Owners
    Review
    Ready to apply? Once you have your required documentation together you can proceed to the Registration and Incorporation application.

    Online Registry Solution
    Need more information? Our team of experts is dedicated to providing you with the highest quality of service and support. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to contact us. Contact Us

    Fees

    The fees below are indicative for the commercial license applications only, and are subject to change.

    Registration Fees

    Select from Standard Pricing
    Select from Special Arrangements

    Summary

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